Coquillians want a say in hiring of new chief
Am very pleased to report that several people have submitted letters or stopped by The Sentinel to pick up a form letter to apply to be on the hiring committee.
We should really start drafting a list of the qualities we hope to see in a new police chief. Beyond the obvious legal requirements for the job, I am hoping for a real leader with public communication skills and an interest in the ever changing social needs of this little community.
It would be nice to have a chief who puts some emphasis on physical fitness as well. (Some of those officers do not have the best profiles). A chief who walks down the street and says hello to his or her fellow citizens and encourages the officers to do the same.
Probably, given the unsolved crimes we have here, especially the murder of Leah Freeman, a chief with some detective experience would be mega cool also.
Any suggestions from anyone else?
Jessica---stumbled around and found your blog! I still haven't found the Coast News online, can you direct me? ...
Thank you, Linda, you did a much better job of explaining fusion voting or cross nomination than my humble effort. ...
I'm chair of the Independent Party. There is nothing unusual about candidates seeking and obtaining multiple party nominations. “Cross-nominations” ...
Well I'm certainly no expert, but it seems to me it's a little like giving Roblan a license to talk ...
Comment by k9maj1 on 22 June 2008:
Hello again Magix, this is the Police Chief’s applicant from Georgia. I am wondering if you could guide me towards the location where I can find all the case information concerning the Leah Freeman case. I have extensive experience as a Narcotics Investigator but have worked Cold Case files as a hobby. I have a few retired homicide investigators at my disposal and would love to look at this case for you guys. Even if I don’t get a chance to be your chief I would love to help your city with this cold case. I have read a lot of postings and see that this issue has made a lot of people hurt within your community and I would love to take a crack at it.
Comment by Cory Courtright on 22 June 2008:
Hey Mary!
Well you pretty much said it there. To have a Chief of Police with some good communication skills would certainly be a plus here. I will say that since Sgt Smith has taken on the responsibilities of the Chief he has been in contact with me more than anyone on the force since the day of Leah’s disappearance. I don’t know who the new Chief will be but hopefully he can continue to have at least as much contact with me as Sgt. Smith has. I’m sure others feel the same too. And yes, hopefully the new Chief will have much more interest in high profile crime such as Leah’s case. Maybe even one who would be willing to accept outside help as well if needed. That was the one thing that bothered me most about Reeves was that not only would he not explain to me why he wouldn’t ask for outside help – he seemed to refuse to take it. Who knows, maybe this case could have even been solved by now. I don’t know……communication skills for sure!
Comment by magix on 22 June 2008:
k9maj1
Visit Leah’s site here for some of the documents
http://leahfreeman.com/documents.htm
Your help and interest are both greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Comment by Cory Courtright on 22 June 2008:
Whoa! Huh? k9maj1…..Georgia? Wow! Someone is interested in Leah’s case????? Oh my! That shocked me!
Comment by magix on 22 June 2008:
k9maj1
In case you don’t realize it, Cory is Leah’s mother. You can well imagine how grateful she is that someone is taking some interest in the case but then Cory can speak for herself.
Once again, thank you
Comment by Cory Courtright on 22 June 2008:
Oh no! Did he go away???
Comment by magix on 22 June 2008:
No. Methinks he/she is reviewing documents
Comment by Cory Courtright on 22 June 2008:
OMG!!! Mary! This is great news! Wow! I didn’t even get my comment up – hit submit – and I thought I was all of the sudden on another topic! That was confusing!!! Well…..that made my night!!
Comment by magix on 22 June 2008:
Wouldn’t that be something, Cory, to have someone who knows what they are doing, work this case?
Comment by Cory Courtright on 22 June 2008:
I can’t believe this!! Sheesh! I was really confused there for a minute! Oh this would be so awesome!! I keep rereading this over and over! …Got my eyes on – they are clean – I’m not seeing things? Just pinched myself – no not a dream! Wowie!! Guess I better calm down….I have a tendency to get over excited and then let down..don’t want that to happen AGAIN!!!!
Comment by magix on 22 June 2008:
Aye, be careful, after all, there is some distance between here and Georgia. However, we might be able to do some legwork if the good applicant needed any.
Comment by Cory Courtright on 22 June 2008:
OK….well my meds are kicking in so I have to be off to bed…….oh c’mon…let me be happy for a minute!! I’ll be here in the a.m.!!! Have a great night !
Comment by magix on 22 June 2008:
Talk to you tomorrow, sleep happy!
Comment by k9maj1 on 22 June 2008:
Cory I will try my best to review the case I cant promise you anything but I do have resources here in Atlanta to look into it at least cursory. I am a he by the way my name is “——–” and have applied for the Chief’s position in Coquille. I might not get the position but I am definitely going to look into the case. I hope I can help you with some closure in this case.
Comment by k9maj1 on 22 June 2008:
magix can you call me reference this case. 770-513-3156
Comment by k9maj1 on 22 June 2008:
I have read the documents on her website and I am amazed that someone is not in jail for this case. There is an immunity memo between the DA and the boyfriends friend. The boyfriend failed the polygraph, There is history of abuse. I believe that if someone has a strong interview with both boyfriend and friend that this case could crack. I would like to know if the pathologist checked her stomach contents and see if she actually ate or was that a story to build a time line for the event to occur.
Comment by k9maj1 on 22 June 2008:
Do we know if the boyfriend and friend have lawyered up and where do they live now.
Comment by magix on 22 June 2008:
Hi, I will call you late AM tomorrow west coast time.
Yes, they lawyered up almost immediately and both still live in the area. There are more details to share with you.
Thank you for your help
Comment by Open Yr Eyes on 23 June 2008:
OMG,OMG,OMG….What a great guy,I dont think you know how much this would mean to so may people,Or maybe you do that is why you are here.I’m crying and cant find the right keys to type right now.Happy for ya Cory someone does care!!
Comment by Cory Courtright on 23 June 2008:
To k9maj1 –
I know. No promises……I just want you to know that I appreciate you going to her site and looking at the documents. Mostly it puts a smile on my face just to hear that someone is interested in her case. I am aware that some cases never get solved and some take many years……..this one just HAS to be solved. It just has to. Life in the world of living with an unsolve murder of a teen (being the mother especially) is just unacceptable. Every single day is a rough one. Thank you so much for your efforts here. Appreciate that.
Comment by Cory Courtright on 23 June 2008:
I know OYES! Isn’t this just awesome? Wow. Someone interested in Leah’s case! I know I slept well last night just knowing that someone was looking at her site. Someone interested in our community. Someone obviously with heart and some background in law enforcement! Isn’t that great?
Comment by magix on 23 June 2008:
Hey gang, I am feeling pretty optimistic just now as well. Have a deadline to meet so have to finish an article but will be back on later
Comment by k9maj1 on 23 June 2008:
Cory this case should have been completed back in 2000 just with what i read on the search warrant application they had a prime suspect and should have pressed him and his friend one would have broke. they had plenty of information and i cannot believe that this case has run on for eight years its beyond me. do u know if they actually sat down with the two of them and attempted to break down the time line of events as well as the supposed alibi they had concocted. i also could not tell from the death certificate what the cause of death was. i asked yesterday if the pathologist checked her stomach contents to see if she actually ate that night like they said she did. i am sorry for these questions cory but im trying to get as much information as possible this case can be solved there is no reason for this not to be solved. they have a prime suspect and they should have moved on it immediately.
Comment by Open Yr Eyes on 23 June 2008:
I was so suprized this morning when I read these post’s from Mr.”——”.I could just see Leah’s smile when I was reading his comments.If he does or he doesnt become cheif-what a good person!!
Comment by Open Yr Eyes on 23 June 2008:
I just sent you another E-mail cory.Are you on here?
Comment by Cory Courtright on 23 June 2008:
k9maj1 -
It is beyond me too why it has gone on for so long without an arrest. They tell me so little as they say it is an ongoing investigation. To a point I can understand that. Um…I don’t know exactly how much they were able to question the person(s) of interest as they lawyered up soon after. I am sorry to say that to this day I do not know the cause of death. On her death certificate it just says pending investigation. A press release did say it was of a homicidal violence. Please do not be sorry for any questions…..After eight years I have heard some pretty horrific things. The stomach contents….again I have no knowledge of that nor do I know how to get that. I wish I had more to give you. Sorry I don’t.
Comment by k9maj1 on 23 June 2008:
I just spoke to mary and advised her on some course of actions concerning the case and hope i can help you guys in oregon, i feel for your cory i have two teenage daughters and i cannot imagine what you have been through. i am so sorry for what you have been through.
Comment by Cory Courtright on 23 June 2008:
Also I don’t know if you noticed or not (sure you did) but she went missing on June 28th and wasn’t found until August 3rd.
Comment by k9maj1 on 23 June 2008:
cory can you call me 7705133156
Comment by Cory Courtright on 23 June 2008:
Thank you so much! It means so much to many people here in the community – and most of all Leah’s family!
Comment by Open Yr Eyes on 23 June 2008:
YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN CORY!!!!
Comment by BetteJo on 23 June 2008:
Wow, Cory this is awesome…sorry not to comment before just was busy this morning. Mr. “——” it is so wonderful that you have taken an opportunity to help Cory and her family. If your attitude is an indication of the applications that we are recieving for a new Chief than I hold hope that we can get someone in this position that will work with the community not above it. Leah’s case has remained unsolved for too long. There are lots of other cases that have been solved without the victims remains and yet this one still stands open? I just don’t understand why the community officials, the police officers and the DA don’t get the families frustrations? It is time for this community to do something, stand up and fight for Leah!
Comment by Cory Courtright on 23 June 2008:
That’s ok BetteJo….I know you are a busy woman. Mr. “——” seems like a very nice man huh? Sounds like one our community needs!
Comment by magix on 23 June 2008:
Golly, I turn my attentions elsewhere and look what happens!
Learned some very interesting things from my conversation as I am sure you did also, Cory. We should sit down and put our heads together on this. More than ever, regardless if Mr “——” becomes our chief we must be very proactive in the hiring of a new, from the ‘OUTSIDE’ police chief.
It seems that Leah’s case can be solved with good police work. One cannot help but ask why it hasn’t to date?
Comment by Cory Courtright on 23 June 2008:
Yes. He was very helpful. I learned some very interesting things myself. I will be up to my ears in kids here very soon….perhaps I will give you a call tomorrow Magix? Are you busy tomorrow? Let me know…..my puter is doing weird stuff today….???..don’t know what is up with it. Anyway I’ll call ya tomorrow?
Comment by magix on 23 June 2008:
Actually, believe it or not, I will be touring the new airport terminal tomorrow. What about Mexico, Wednesday?
Comment by Cory Courtright on 23 June 2008:
That sounds great! See ya there!
Comment by BetteJo on 23 June 2008:
my, my did you score an invitation to the new terminal tommorow??
Comment by magix on 23 June 2008:
Hey Bette Jo, will let you know how ‘schmoozing’ with the guv goes at Mexico on Wednesday.
Comment by themguys on 23 June 2008:
What wonderful news. He he he, some folks be gettin nervous right about now ! I just knew someone would step forward and break this case wide open. I can’t wait. I can feel in in me bones !
And to those of you who have held the secrets?
What goes around comes around. Hope for the best, but you do not walk free for the pain you caused this girls’ family.
Thank goodness someone has finally taken action. Don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure this one out.
Sleep well
Comment by magix on 23 June 2008:
Hiring a new police chief from outside the department, probably from outside southern Oregon, could definitely open many avenues for reform and crime solving. The worst thing they could do for the department is to hire from within and promote the sargeant… there has to be a fresh perspective or nothing will change, particularly where Leah Freeman is concerned.
Comment by Cory Courtright on 24 June 2008:
Hey! How is everyone today? Themguys – you are absolutely right. Ya know – for the longest time, I felt that if someone who KNEW what happened to Leah (not the actual killer) would come forward and tell what they knew, that they should get a lighter sentence. No, I do not feel that way anymore. That is giving in to those involved. Why? Why would anyone who had knowledge not come forward? After eight long years….no… they are as guilty as the killer himself if you ask me. But then that is and would not be my call. And my guess is they are NOT sleeping well at all!!
Yes Magix you are right about hiring from outside the department. A very fresh face is definitely what is needed here. This is why I have asked time and time again for the department to hand this case over to another agency. They haven’t been able to do anything with this case for eight years now and if they could hand it to another agency……maybe just maybe they could.
Comment by magix on 24 June 2008:
As stated in the past, turning it over to other agencies would reveal the depth of ineptitude at the time. It would reveal a level of liability by the city and as we have seen in the Foster case, the city does not take responsibility well.
City managers are not supposed to make a career out of one city, they are supposed to move on after three to five years. O’Connor has become a huge stumbling block to the well being and standard of living of the citizens of Coquille. If he really cares about the city he will move on and let a fresh perspective take charge… maybe someone who knows how to write grants, plan for the future, think out of the box… communicate with the citizens as an equal.
Comment by Cory Courtright on 24 June 2008:
So how does a person go about getting rid of the City Manager? Or do you? Do we just have to sit and wait for him to decide to leave?
Comment by magix on 24 June 2008:
In theory, the city council can CAN him any time they want by a majority vote. So, one way is to vote in council members (under the age of 60), who are energetic enough to look into the benefits of a new, fresh, perspective.
Other cities have embarrased their managers into resigning, Bandon has done that twice. The problem is we are not likely to get anyone new before the hiring of a police chief. My understanding is that the old chief was hired by an outgoing city manager who essentially did not care what he stuck the city with. We have seen the results of that.
Consequently, we have to rally citizens to come to the meetings and voice their opinions loudly or ‘business as usual’ O’Connor will conduct business as usual.
Pingback by Cold case investigator gets a cold shoulder on 9 July 2008:
[...] of this blog may know that an applicant for the position of new police chief took an interest in the Leah Freeman case. After reviewing the only case files available to the public the seasoned [...]