Q: Kevin Stufflebean has not hired a roadmaster for the Coos County Road Department. What qualifications has he had to be a roadmaster, prior to being appointed as the interim? Does he receive extra pay for this duty?

A: Coos County Commissioner Stufflebean does not have the authority to hire an employee for Coos County; only the Board of Commissioners (which consists of three commissioners) can hire county employees. The commissioners authorized the posting and advertising of the roadmaster position and received several applications. After reviewing the applications, and considering the instability of revenue and the need for restructuring the Coos County Road Department, the decision was made by commissioners to not hire at this time. Instead, Chairman John Griffith and Vice Chairman Nikki Whitty asked Stufflebean to fill the position on an interim basis, until such time as there are road standards, standard operating procedures and best management practices established. That will assure the department will operate efficiently and effectively in the transition, and serve the best interests of the county and establish credibility to the residents, Stufflebean said.

Stufflebean worked nine years in the private sector in contracting, 17 years with public contracting and until February 2007, privately consulted with contractors on bidding procedures, budgeting and operations.  

He serves as the department head for the Coos County Highway Department, Maintenance Department and Information Technology Department, and he does not receive any additional compensation for the additional assignments or increased workload.

I Want to Know is a regular feature of The World, offering readers a chance to anonymously ask questions and have reporters pursue answers. Those interested can send questions to Editor Kathy Erickson at The World newspaper, P.O. Box 1840, Coos Bay Ore. 97420; or by e-mail to

news@theworld link.com.