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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 25, 2007 Shady Cove commission election challenged By BILL MILLER for the Mail Tribune SHADY COVE — A vote to fill a one-year vacancy on the city's planning commission has drawn accusations of illegal secret ballots and conflict of interest. At a meeting Feb. 15, the City Council interviewed Tom Borgen, Olin Shanrock and Daryl Hawkins for the position. A vote was taken and Tom Borgen was announced the winner. No opposition to the vote was expressed at the meeting. But Shanrock has since accused the council of casting a secret ballot and violating Oregon's public meetings law, which requires that votes by members of the council be recorded by name. Mayor Ruth Keith had called for a vote on the candidates, allowing each council member to write his choice on a piece of paper. She collected the ballots, tallied them and announced that the consensus was for Borgen. Keith then asked for a voice vote, which again ended in favor of Borgen, 4-0. Keith abstained. Advertisement "I was stunned," said Shanrock. "I couldn't believe that they would pull something like that. "Number one, it's illegal to have a secret ballot. That's the law." "This was a legal vote in an open meeting," said City Administrator Elise Smurzynski. "A motion was made and seconded, calling for a roll call vote, and that vote was taken." Smurzynski said that the procedure had been cleared through the city's legal counsel before the meeting. Shanrock also said Borgen's appointment is a conflict of interest because he is married to Margaret Borgen, the deputy city recorder for Shady Cove. City officials said Borgen does not have a conflict of interest by holding the non-paying position. If any conflict arises, he must by law disclose that conflict and abstain from discussions and voting. Shanrock said Borgen should resign and "let the council off the hook." "He had no right to apply for the position in the first place," he said. "That's a conflict of interest. "Now he's on the planning commission and privy to a lot of information and all of a sudden he becomes his wife's boss, in a job sense. It's not right." Smurzynski said that so far she hasn't heard directly from anyone who disputes the vote. Shanrock said that he hasn't filed any complaint or taken any other action. "I've already expressed my opinion to the mayor and I guess she's looking into it," he said. "I'm just waiting to see what happens and then I'll go from there." Bill Miller is a freelance writer living in Shady Cove. Reach him at [email protected]. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help