Kevin Stufflebean is trying to convince the public there was a budget shortfall and severe cuts were made in the Road Department. The County timber payments were renewed last year. Payments for this year were 90 percent of last year's payment which equates to a $200,000 shortfall. A one-time gift from the Oregon Department of Transportation was not renewed, but cannot be counted as a loss of regular revenue. Other budget shortfalls were a projection of fuel tax reductions, not real numbers. Kevin inflated maintenance costs to $2.8 million using flawed cost accounting methods. The high repair costs were a direct result of Kevin's decisions.

Kevin's secretive decision to lay off the road workers was done so poorly and was such a grievous violation of law that Coos County is now faced with an unfair labor practices complaint that could result in more than $650,000 in settlements! Kevin claims the tire man and body man only did those jobs, but Kevin himself added many jobs to those positions during his two years as roadmaster. Kevin took away the budget from the business manager and had sole authority to write and approve his own budget, so how could managers alert him of upcoming budget shortfalls as Kevin has claimed?

Why were  department managers given large raises during the layoff period if there was a budget shortfall? How come a roadmaster was hired after 22 employees were laid off, leaving one manager for every four employees? Why are they spending $760,000 on new equipment if there is a budget shortfall? Kevin has yet to convince the  majority of voters of his reason for the Road Department reorganization. The excuses vary from day to day.

The issues for recall are many. Public safety cuts have endangered the lives of the public from lack of road maintenance to slashing patrol deputies and jail beds. Awarding no-bid contracts to out-of-town contractors. Spending money on computer systems and building upgrades while public safety dwindles. Kevin should have resigned and saved the taxpayers $60,000! We need a commissioner who acts with honesty and integrity. One who will listen to the public and act appropriately with his constituents. This is why Kevin Stufflebean must be recalled. Please join me and vote yes to recall Kevin Stufflebean.        

Dean Allen

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