Sources for recall statements

Statement: Phil Barlow not eligible for elected office in St. Helens
The St. Helens City Charter, Section 12, Qualification of Officers says "No person shall be eligible for an elective office of the city unless at the time of his election he ... is the owner of real property within the corporate limits of the city." The Columbia County Tax Assessor says the only Barlow who owns property in St. Helens city limits is Phil's brother.

Statement: Councilors approved the FY2009 budget which could deplete the contingency fund and lead the city into bankruptcy by June 2010
Budget Review Committee meeting minutes 5/27/08

Statement: Councilors approved an 800% pay increase that could cost taxpayers more than $75,000 annually
City Council meeting minutes (Work Session, November 21, 2007, and Regular Session, December 19, 2007), and the City of St. Helens Budget FY2008-09 (page 3). The actual 2007-2008 city budget expense for Councilor compensation was $16,400. The City Council-approved compensation in the 2008-09 city budget is $82,000, including* $75 per meeting attendance stipends and other financial perks. The Council Compensation Committee, convened to advise council on the issue, was comprised of two councilors and three citizens, needing only a simply majority to make decisions and recommendations to Council.

Statement: "If you want a good product, you've got to pay us."
Doug Morten quoted in The South County Spotlight, March 5, 2008, in "A changing tide: paradigm shifts on the St. Helens City Council" by Darryl Swan.

Statement: Councilors voted to expand their own powers, changing the City Charter, and without a vote of the people.
Ordinance 3030 redefines the position of city administrator and gives authority for all departments and daily operations of the city to councilors. ("The city administrator shall exercise all authority and power herein delegated, or hereinafter delegated, to him/her by the city council and shall have the same responsibility with respect to the central business office and financial department as do other municipal officers with respect to the departments of which the are the department head.") Councilors with little or no experience now supervise department heads hired for experience and education in their respective fields. Despite council discussion of intent to seek voter approval for charter changes (City Council meeting minutes, Special Session, September 12, 2007) it has not been sought.

Statement: Barlow lobbied for a city-owned BMX track that could benefit his family bicycle business.
St. Helens Parks Commission Meeting Minutes, September 17, 2007

Statement: Morten ignores recommendations of the Parks Commission and City staff in favor of his own agenda
City of St. Helens Parks Commission minutes. Regarding membership issues, 1/14/08 & 04/21/08; Sand Island shuttle, 4/21//08 & 05/19/08; McCormick Park ball field improvements, 5/19/08; and more.

Where to find it:

ST HELENS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES, WORK SESSION MINUTES, PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES, AND THE CITY CHARTER are available at the city's website: www.ci.st-helens.or.us. Minutes not available online can be obtained by Public Information Request and payment of $12-24 per session, except for minutes of the Councilor Compensation Committee meetings for which no minutes were taken.

CITY OF ST. HELENS BUDGET FY 2008-09 is available for $5 per copy and copies of city ordinances are available for $.25 per page, through Public Information Request at the City of St. Helens.

THE SOUTH COUNTY SPOTLIGHT is available online at www.spotlightnews.net/.

THE COUNTY ASSESSOR'S OFFICE is located at the Columbia County Courthouse on Strand Street in St. Helens.

*this has been listed, in error, in some of our flyers as "$82,000, in addition to" but should be $82,000, including $75 per meeting attendance stipends and other perks.