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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 20, 2005 ODOT official fined over published ‘political opinion’ By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune An Oregon Department of Transportation official has been fined $75 for violating state law when he took a political position on a transportation ballot measure in an ODOT publication. The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office fined Gary Leaming, project information coordinator of ODOT’s southwest region, on Aug. 30 after investigating a complaint filed by Medford resident Helen Ost of the Eastside Neighborhood Association. The Secretary of State’s Office also learned that Art Anderson, area manager for ODOT, had not posted the required workplace notice explaining that employees cannot participate in political activities while on the job. No fine was issued for Anderson’s violation. Leaming said he was trying to be unbiased when he wrote statements about Measure 15-49 in an article that appeared in August 2003 in an ODOT insert in the Mail Tribune. One person took exception to his wording, he said. "I think it’s an occupational hazard in talking to people and talking to the media ... especially when things get hot," said Leaming. Advertisement Measure 15-49 proposed an amendment to the Medford city charter that would have required a public vote for all city agreements with state and federal governments for road projects affecting traffic flow or road design, capacity or function. It was voted down in November 2003. The initiative came about after several residents voiced concern about being left out of the planning process for the south Medford interchange project, which is set to go to bid in February or March 2006. At issue in the publication was Leaming’s statement: "According to ODOT Area Manager Art Anderson, the initiative would put Medford at a competitive disadvantage with other Oregon cities for obtaining nonlocal funds. The initiative could delay the approval process for future state construction projects in Medford by six months to two years." Carla Corbin, of the Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s Office, said the statement was too opinionated. "We found that it was advocating not passing the measure," said Corbin. Had Leaming explained that delayed projects get bumped to the bottom of the funding list, and that public votes could delay projects, he may not have been in violation, she said. Anderson said he was surprised by the ruling. "How can we be found guilty of something that is factual?" he asked. "We frankly did not in our wildest dreams think we were doing anything wrong there." In May 2003 the secretary of state found that Cory Crebbin, Medford’s public works director, violated Oregon law by appearing, as a city employee, to oppose the same initiative petition. The ruling came after a complaint was filed by Medford resident and chief petitioner John Pearson, also of the Eastside Neighborhood Association, alleging Crebbin violated state election laws by speaking out against the petition in a public meeting, in a memo and in three newspaper interviews. Crebbin was fined $75 which he has paid. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail ODOT official fined over published �political opinion� ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Website Templates www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Helzberg Diamonds Distance Education Computer Security Casino Gambling Sites Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Memory Foam Mattress Diamonds Online Poker Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations w2 forms Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Online Casino News Rogue Valley Blogs Natto Kinase Nattokinase Advertisement s