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CLEAR Temp: 46 °F Wind: WNW at 6 mph Tuesday, April 1, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 28, 2003 McKenzie decides to keep RVTD board seat Meanwhile, censured member blasts charges of disruptive behavior By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Despite recently announcing she had quit the Rogue Valley Transportation District board, Susan McKenzie has decided not to follow through with a written resignation. At RVTD’s meeting Wednesday, board member Ed Chapman, who was censured by his colleagues in an official letter describing his general "bad behavior," criticized the board’s decision not to enforce McKenzie’s resignation. Chapman argued that McKenzie did, in fact, resign and that her resignation should be accepted. "The oral resignation was heard by all witnesses present," he said in a letter to the board. "It was recorded by the district’s audio tape recorder and is now an official record." However, the district’s bylaws require that a resignation be submitted in writing, something McKenzie decided not to do. McKenzie said she would try more creative approaches in the future to deal with what she feels are obstructionist elements on the board. "I need to lower my expectations," she said this week. "I cannot expect the level of work that the staff and board needs to get done." While she would try to avoid letting her emotions get the better of her, McKenzie said she can’t predict what she will do in the future. "Am I going to be better behaved?" she said. "Probably not." However, she did say that if Chapman is reelected this May, she might actually resign because she doesn’t think the board can operate effectively with him on it. "If you can’t get the work done, why stay at the plow," she said. Chapman, a frequent critic of board activities and a supporter of two failed recall efforts against other board members, was taken to task by the board. In the letter of censure, which has no enforcement teeth, the board stated that, among other actions, Chapman broke into a meeting "to harass, accuse and intimidate in a threatening manner the members of the negotiating team ... At one point his actions were so threatening that all in the room felt that he was going to physically assault the board chair." The letter also claims Chapman continues personal attacks on other board members and has made harassing phone calls to the interim general manager at her home. Chapman responded, "This was an outrage. This was the most vicious thing they could have done to a fellow board member." He said the allegations are distortions and outright fabrications, particularly references made that he harassed, accused or intimidated board members or the interim general manager. He said he did walk into a meeting once, but didn’t have a threatening manner. He also said he called the interim general manager at home once, but didn’t threaten her. Chapman, who said he had no opportunity to defend himself, said the letter challenges his credibility and he will respond with a written rebuttal. As to his conduct during board meetings, Chapman said he merely wants the board to answer the hard questions about issues that affect RVTD users. "I ask questions," he said. "They refuse to answer." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S