County hires roadmaster

By Jolene Guzman, Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 | 13 comment(s)

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Coos County has hired a Coos Bay man to serve as the new roadmaster of the Coos County Road Department starting Feb. 2.

According to a late morning press release, the county hired John Rowe on Monday.

Rowe has 25 years experience in road construction, including stints with Knife River,  LTM,  Bracelin & Yeager and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Rowe attended Chemeketa Community College in Salem and has a degree in civil engineering and forest technology. He also is a licensed surveyor. He worked as a highway engineer for ODOT and managed construction projects for public and private entities, including the production and placement of asphalt for eight years in the private sector.

Rowe recently was laid off from LTM, said Bobbie Brooks, the assistant to the commissioners.

 “John is a perfect fit for Coos County and his experience is just what we have been looking for to move us forward in upgrades to our current road system,” Commissioner Kevin Stufflebean said in the release. “His strengths and background parallel with our future goals of Coos County road system.”

 Rowe will be starting at a base salary of $4,734 per month, the same salary earned by the previous roadmaster, Larry Van Elsberg, who resigned in April 2007. Stufflebean has since served as interim roadmaster.
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why wrote on Jan 14, 2009 1:09 PM:

What make you think that hiring an outside company is going to save anyone money? You always have additional expenses with a privatizing! How do you expect the privat company to make a profit? The sure are not IN IT to lose money! The commissioners are wrong, and we would all think better of them if they would admit it and correct the problem!

Glenn wrote on Jan 14, 2009 11:02 AM:

You seem to know it all, you tell Us what happened at the crusher!

Jack D wrote on Jan 14, 2009 10:46 AM:

I think the answer is NO. The new roadmaster will not be able to quote rehire the layoffs. It was a vote by the board of commis,and that cannot be resinded. Besides the road dept will contract privite Co,s to do the work.They will save $$$ on labor and benefits.

Jamie wrote on Jan 14, 2009 10:24 AM:

I'll tell you one thing... John is nobody's puppet.

moonpenny wrote on Jan 14, 2009 9:27 AM:

Why did Stufflebean not hire anyone until now? An additional $4,734 a month. At that rate, he would of raked in over 100k in a 2 year period. The probablity of this just makes me ill.

what happened wrote on Jan 13, 2009 8:40 PM:

What happened at the crusher?

Interesting wrote on Jan 13, 2009 2:47 PM:

Good luck John! I know you will do a great job. Congrats.

WHY wrote on Jan 13, 2009 1:50 PM:

Why has it taken Stufflebean 2 years to hire a Roadmaster?
They needed one 2 yeas ago!! This was done in the STUFFLEBEAN WAY, so he could carry out his vengence and hidden agenda!
I feel sorry for the new Roadmaster, for he doesn't know what kind of person Stufflebean really is.
I guess he to will learn the hard way having to deal with Stufflebean's two faces and deceptiveness.
Alt of people have backed Stufflebean and then lived to regret it, that is because he is the master of deception!!
Whitty you need to get a backbone and be this County's hero because they need one right now. You could be that hero if you decide to do the right thing and reopen this decision you have chose.
It is a matter of Public safety and you know it.

So.... wrote on Jan 13, 2009 1:14 PM:

I am glad the commissioners have finally approved the hiring of a roadmaster, but my question at this time would have to be.....Does he have the mind set to act in the best interest of coos county or is he going to be another stufflebean puppet?

Just An Observer wrote on Jan 13, 2009 11:48 AM:

Sounds like a well-qualified hire for roadmaster. Now to see if the chief has any Indians left to do the work!

Kat wrote on Jan 13, 2009 10:56 AM:

To Steve:

I think Stuffitbean makes it pretty clear that he's made SURE to install a man who will, to quote Stuffitbean:

“His strengths and background parallel with our future goals of Coos County road system.”

What adacity, in yer face local politics. What a shame.

I urge all readers to take action and press to restore the crews. It is not acceptable nor safe to gut the Road Dept.

Steve Pickering wrote on Jan 13, 2009 10:41 AM:

Yes, I know I misspelled would.

Steve Pickering wrote on Jan 13, 2009 10:39 AM:

As Roadmaster can John rescind the firings? If he does wold any of the Commissioners retaliate? In a perfect world John will reevaluate the staffing before the layoffs/firings occur.


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