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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 14, 2007 Gold Hill mayor pleads for unity "We owe it to ourselves to work together. If we don't show a united front, nobody is going to have a job and we're not going to have a city." Councilwoman Judith Holdeman. By sanne specht Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — The gloves came off as the city's new mayor urged council members on Tuesday to stop battling about the police department long enough for him to plead the city's case at an insurance cancellation hearing today in Tigard. "I would be disappointed if we take our infighting before the board," said Mayor Dan Morris. Gold Hill is on notice from City County Insurance that the town's $1 million liability insurance policy could be canceled on Feb. 28. This is the second time in CIS history that a cancellation threat has gone this far, said Morris. Councilman Gus Wolf said Morris would not be following CIS recommendations if he did not address the problems with the police department in his half-hour talk before the 10-member board. "Do you want us to tell the truth? Or do you want us to play nice and keep up a pretty face?" asked Wolf. "To quote the Dixie Chicks, 'I'm not ready to make nice.' " Advertisement Morris told the council he would not discuss disbanding the city's police department — an option CIS has strongly urged the town to consider for liability reasons. "If we go before the board with specifics, we aren't going to look good," said Morris. Councilwoman Jan Fish expressed dismay that Police Chief Dean Muchow was being given time off to attend and speak at the one-hour hearing. "I wonder if you could ask a question without taking a stand one way or another — 'If we don't have a police department, do our insurance issues go away?' " Fish said. Morris, who campaigned as a supporter of the local department, was visibly upset when Wolf announced he had submitted a multipage letter to CIS last week voicing his concerns about the police department and the actions of fellow council members. Morris said the city would form committees to research the city's policing options if the town is successful in keeping its insurance. Council members Judith Holdeman and Kathleen Price, who have also advocated for the beleaguered department, praised Morris' efforts to resist airing the city's most contentious issue before the commission. CIS insurance advisers had instructed the council last Wednesday to keep out of the media, said Price. "The purpose of the meeting is not to go and beef," agreed Holdeman. "We owe it to ourselves to work together. If we don't show a united front, nobody is going to have a job and we're not going to have a city." Wolf voiced his disbelief at Morris' last-ditch attempt to garner consensus where there clearly was none. "I don't agree with all (four) of you," said Wolf. "Jan and I would like five minutes for counterpoint" at the CIS hearing. Wolf said he signed a recall petition against Price being initiated by Gold Hill resident Deborah Davis, who says the city should disband its police department. Price, Holdeman and others have filed complaints with a state regulatory agency against Wolf and Fish in retaliation for voting to place Muchow on paid administrative leave last year amid allegations of fraud and harassment, Wolf said. Morris said if he is successful in saving the city's insurance, it likely will be on a probationary basis. "If we prevail on Wednesday, then I suspect we have three or four months before we're reviewed again," said Morris. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [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