Mayor Nelson charged with giving friends large city contracts, no bids sought

In September the State of Oregon Ethics Division received complaints against Mayor Orville Nelson and former councilor Harlon Green filed by, Mattie Lane who is on the Planning Commission, and Linda Kinch, retired CPA and a City of Lakeside Budget Committee member.

There are two complaints against Orville Nelson and one against former councilor Harlon Green.

Orville Nelson Oregon Government Ethics Commission Complaint

The first complaint against Nelson is:

Taken from their statement is an explanation of what they allege concerning Nelson:

“We have reviewed invoices and public records for the 2007-2008 fiscal year and the 2008-2009 fiscal year. We have found that Mayor Nelson since obtaining office has indeed awarded work to preferred companies without any bids, any contracts or even a specification of work.

Mayor Nelson was directly supervising the work at our waste water plant and the majority of the work costing $5,000 or more originated in that plant.”

Orville Nelson Oregon Government Ethics Commission Complaint

The second complaint against Nelson is:

They believe he illegally awarded work to Johnson Rock Products for a total of $20,297. To quote Nelson, “what Kip bid is what he is getting paid.” That didn’t turn out to be true, as there was a change order for an additional $5,064.

O Harlan Green Oregon Government Ethics Commission Complaint

Mr. Green sat on the council from June 2007 to May 2008, during that time he invoiced and was paid $20,870..

His commissioner position as councilor was public works. In that position he approved his own invoices. The relevant minutes of council meetings show that he voted in the affirmative to pay those invoices.

Mr. Green resigned his council position in April 2008 following his refusal to sign the ethics form required by the State Ethics Commission.

State law bans an ex-official from benefiting for two years from a public contract. Harlon Green, without following the bidding process, continued to do work for the city.

From May 2008 to July 2009, Green earned  at total of $16,948.99 from the City of Lakeside without any competitive bids being sought for the job.

While on the city council, councilor Green charged the city mileage, excavation, labor and materials for street repair.

Open bidding laws

Lakeside’s charter has bid requirements that anything over $5,000 must go out to bid, this coincides with Oregon Statutes.

What kindled the pursuit of information?

Mattie Lane and Linda Kinch, along with several others began compiling information after erroneous statements were made in the local newspaper.

They put together a packet of information, made it available to the public, even taking a day to stand in front of the Lakeside Post Office to hand them out.

Mattie Lane stated, “accusations had been made at council meetings and there were rumors, so we decided to see for ourselves.” They started on their trek of compiling information and one thing led to another.

When asked if they had completed the investigation, their answer was, “no.”

Editor’s note: Mr. Mayor, if you’d like to end your ban of speaking to Lakesideinfo.com and would like to clarify any of your positions for our reports, you know how to get in touch.

We make the same offer to Harlon Green.