Nancy Leonard, Editor

Upper Rogue Independent

P. O. Box 900, Eagle Point, Ore. 97524

Letter to the Editor , December 4, 2002

A CRACK IN THE WALL?

One Shady Cove practice contributed to the city and three of its officials becoming defendants in a federal lawsuit. That practice may have been reconsidered to prevent continued Constitutional violations.

Until recently, when citizens wished to file a complaint of ordinance violation, the complainant was required to sign the complaint or citation and be identified to the violator. One citizen coined this "neighbor baiting" . Under oath, officials have sworn that even when a citizen was bold enough to file, decision to cite, or even investigate a complaint, was a " matter of discretion ". That discretion often had a strong odor (stench) of influence depending on whether the violator was a suspected adversary or friend of city leadership, hardly Constitutional. One consequence was that many complaints were whispered beyond city hall earshot, but not filed out of fear of reprisal.

That may be changing. Shady Cove has published a new " Nuisance Abatement Complaint Form ". Inside is the change. Within an outlined box is place for the complainant's name, address, phone number and signature. But behold, the box is noted as Optional Information , AND, the form may be mailed, not personally delivered.

Perhaps, just perhaps, neighbor baiting is near an end. Now we must see if the city will investigate ALL complaints, issue written warnings and if not timely corrected, issue citations even to "friends and good ole boys". If you have a complaint, obtain this new form, fill it out and mail it. The taxpayer's Assoc. will also provide the form, accept your complaint for secret identification, submit it anonymously, and track city response for results. Jim Collier, Bob Hawkins or Les Weaver is available for this service.

The wall of fear surrounding city hall for some, appears to be developing a crack. Like other infamous walls, one in modern Europe and one from the Bible, this wall too, may eventually be brought down.

Ms. Leonard,

Because some others fear to put their name to certain opinions, I have volunteered, as co-author of the above, to submit this under my name. I do this in spite of the common knowledge that you have disparaged me in closed circles. That is unfortunate for we have never met, you know nothing first hand of me and you have not investigated the truth of, nor applied journalistic balance to the disagreements some citizens have with the Shady Cove administration. To disagree with government is protected and even encouraged by the Constitution of the United States. The intent was to prevent tyranny from festering. I for one will protect that right.

Leslie K. Weaver

P.O. Box 620 , Shady Cove, Ore. 97539