by Leah Justice
Some Polk County residents questioned county commissioners about discussing topics in closed session they do not feel are appropriate and supported commissioner Ray Gasperson, who said he felt kicked out of a recent closed session meeting.
Commissioners met March 3 and heard from residents during public comments.
Commissioners said they did not kick Gasperson out of the meeting.
Michael Veatch was the first to mention closed session meetings, speaking specifically on a letter to the editor in the March 3 issue of the Bulletin from commissioner chair Ted Owens. Veatch questioned the board’s reasons for going into closed session later in the March 3 meeting asking if the personnel matter concerns the county considering someone’s qualifications or other reasons allowed by state statute to close a meeting for personnel reasons.
County attorney Jana Berg said there were two purposes for the March 3 closed session. One was for attorney client privilege and the other was for personnel, Berg said, “and both are in the scope of the law.”
Veatch answered Berg by saying, “As you understand it.”
Veatch also said the law is pretty clear what is and isn’t allowed in closed session. He said the county’s claim is that some of the reasons are based on attorney client privilege but the board may not discuss general policy matters.
James Hrynyshyn told commissioners if they can’t get together and give every member of the county board the respect they deserve by talking together, then they need to give up their seats and give them to someone who will.
“When I read of the two issues of last week I don’t know which one bothered me more,” said Hrynyshyn. “This notion that somehow you can kick one member of your board out because you don’t like his approach to the democratic process, well, I think that troubles me more than the hatred that was slipped into the invocation.”
Hrynyhyn was referring to the Feb. 17 closed session meeting where commissioner Gasperson said he was kicked out of the meeting. Gasperson voluntarily left the meeting, but said he felt kicked out.
“Mr. Gasperson, were you kicked out of that last meeting?” Commissioner chair Ted Owens asked.
Gasperson said he was not directly demanded to leave, but he was clearly put in a position that his presence was not wanted.
“I felt kicked out,” Gasperson said.
Hrynyshyn said the response proves his point.
“There’s no way that any of you should ever feel your presence is not welcome at any county event,” Hrynyshyn said.
Clarence Chavez said there are many who stand behind Gasperson and the idea that he feels he cannot sit in a closed session with the rest of the board. Chavez said county residents need to focus on new board members.
Gary Poague said he doesn’t feel like he is being represented in Polk County. He spoke of the county’s unified development ordinance, calling it a “political football.” Poague also mentioned the commissioners closing the business of the county and called it all “B.S.” He said he expects commissioners to resign and let somebody else get in there and be impartial, saying he’s ready to come up with a class action lawsuit against the board.
Renée McDermott also mentioned Owens’ letter to the editor, calling it an affront to the truth and to open and accountable government. She said if Owens disagrees with Gasperson’s recollection of what happened during the Feb. 17 closed session, he should “say how, what and why.”
Virginia Walker said she was very upset about Gasperson leaving the closed session meeting on Feb. 17.
“If he felt like he should leave or not, I felt like he shouldn’t have left,” Walker said. “If I were sitting up there I would not have left. We expect you guys to represent all of us. If one was made to leave or feel uncomfortable then you are not representing all of us.”
Commissioner Michael Gage said when he was on Columbus Town Council it was him against the rest of the board.
“Usually I was odd man out,” Gage said. “I figured out ways to work with them, and not come up with half-truths and lies. Gasperson, did I throw you out of closed session?”
Gasperson told Gage he had said all he wished to say.
Commissioner Tom Pack said he wanted to be real clear that Gasperson was not asked to leave the closed session.
“We don’t always agree but it’s a shame when we act like children when we don’t get
our way and just walk out,” Pack said.