Nelson criticized at meeting for lack of action on the Lakeside sign

November council meeting recap

Under citizen input on the agenda of the regular Lakeside city council monthly meeting Thursday night, two audience members stood and spoke about the Lakeside sign that has graced the north entrance to Lakeside for many years.

The meeting had a cloud hanging over it, with the potential recall of all members present to be determined Tuesday.

The audience members Rebecca Smith and Janet Swinford were both in agreement that the Mayor of Lakeside is the leadership “go to person” and in their opinion should have been doing more to see the political sign representing the Mayor’s side of the issue removed from the dead center front of the Lakeside sign.

The signs that were placed over the Lakeside Chamber were in support of the mayor’s position of keeping his own job and removing the five council members he looks at as political enemies.

Resident Becca Smith asked: “What would you do as the mayor of my city, you represent us?”

Mayor Nelson stated, “I didn’t want to get involved in it, I’m not going to get involved in it.” I am not going on private property and risk getting smeared by some in town.

Mullanix has his say

Donald Mullanix spoke and reiterated his claim that the sign is on his property and anyone messing with it is trespassing.

The Oregon Dept. of Transportation has a different idea, however. Mullanix said he wants compensation from the Chamber of Commerce for the sign being on his property.  But ODOT has been collecting a fee for many years, claiming the property as right of way.

Mayor Nelson dismissed Mullanix with, ” I wanted you to say what you thought and how you felt, and I really appreciate it, thank you for your input.”

Mullanix has known Nelson for 45 years, the property in question abuts Nelson’s.

Another resident, Janet Swinford, said she believes that it shouldn’t matter what side of the recall your on, “we all love this town. As our leader, and right now, our elected leader, you need to take action when something like this happens.”

“What have you done, and if nothing, what do you intend to do?” she asked.

In other actions:

* The Phil Heley personnel decision agenda item was titled, review of workforce needs at wastewater treatment plant. Councilor Anderson moved to table it for further review, the vote was 4-3 in favor of tabling the issue.

Councilors Crockett, Anderson, Eubanks and Mayor Nelson voted for tabling, Councilors Schilling, Swift, and Armstrong voted to not table preferring to resolve the issue as recommended by the city attorney.

Heley has been replaced by a qualified wastewater operator, but he’s still pulling a $22 per hour salary.

• The council unanimously agreed to appoint Kathy Phillip to represent small cities on the Coos County library board.
• A liquor license application was approved for Ringo’s Lakeside Marina, formerly known as Lakeside Marina.
• There was approval of a City of Lakeside water quality implementation plan.
• Resolution 09-18 supports the efforts of Tenmile Lakes quest to secure Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) funding was agreed to.
• Additionally resolution 09-19 to support Tenmile Lakes and Eel-Tenmile STEP Stealhead derby was agreed to.
• The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce requested the donation by the city of an unused surplus computer. The request was unanimously granted.
• The last resolution that was agreed to was 09-20 to support the efforts of the Tenmile Lakes Basin Partnership (TLBP) to secure Department of Environmental Quality funding.
• A bid from CFE was excepted to install a new handicap door operator for the library.

Wastewater superintendent Ardith Lewis, reported there was a diesel fuel or solvent problem discovered at the sewer plant on November third, it was floating on the surface of a wet well. It was smelling out the plant and is detrimental to the biological system. Roto-rooter had to be called out to pump the substance out.

A reminder to the users, please do not dump anything into the sewer system other than the expected, as it causes adverse affects to the working of the plant.

The interviews were completed for the Administrative Assistant and Beverly Sowers was hired. She will continue as a temp with Cardinal until December first when her contract will be fulfilled, then Sower’s will be on the city payroll with a six month probation.