MGx - Musings, Essays & Ballads

Dian Courtright, founder of Concerned Citizens of Coquille, a human rights advocacy group borne out of public frustration with the local police department last summer has thrown her hat into the ring for city councilor. Four positions are up for renewal, Corky Daniels, Kathy Hagen, Fran Capehart and the mayor’s position held by Steve […]

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Gosh, it appears that nerves are a little raw and at least one Coquille officer is extremely sensitive. Today, Coquille Valley Sentinel editor, Jean Ivey called the CPD to ask about the National Night Out and why an event billed as a family event would include a taser demonstration in full view of small […]

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Coquille Mayor Steve Britton was interviewed by KCBY regarding the new police chief and comments on a phone call from Concerned Citizens of Coquille.
So far, he says, the department is excited to have him on board, as well as local residents, including one group in particular. They called Britton to tell him that they are […]

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Mike Fjelt volunteers to be tasered by Officer Bryant to demonstrate the effects of this practice.

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The decision has been made, an offer tendered and accepted by Mark Dannels from the Cochise County Sheriff’s Dept in Arizona. He hopes to be settled and on the job before the school year begins.

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Hiring the new police chief is of great importance to everyone so naturally there was almost no members of the public attending the interviews yesterday at City Hall. Dian and I as well as Jean Ivey from the paper tried to catch each interview as they were staggered throughout the day. Two other […]

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Had an opportunity to meet the candidates for police chief this evening and like three, in particular. Two of the candidates, one from Colorado and the other from Nevada are actually retiring from other positions and view the job as a potential retirement job. The gentleman from Colorado is well educated and had […]

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At 5:30 today at the Coquille Community Center you can meet the five candidates selected by City Manager O’Connor to be the new police chief. Be there or be square….

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The culture of any organization, council or municipality is defined not by mission statements, rules and declarations but by the actions, consistent behavior and hiring practices of the leadership. This is particularly true in our local police department where an emphasis on traffic control over proactive community policing of real crime has too […]

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In case anyone didn’t already realize it, it is hot along I-5 and was pretty darn muggy as well in Portland. Nice to be back in the cooler climes.
While there it was observed by others that ‘Support the Troops’ magnets are not as popular there as they are here. We saw nary a […]

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The US government was created by, for and of the people and operates at the ‘consent’ of the governed. Governments provide and maintain infrastructure and services for the public benefit and are also charged with maintaining order and enforcing public safety. The US Constitution is designed to ensure government serve the people for […]

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The weather is spectacular now, I have been on my first bike ride of the day and the river was like glass and the scent of flowers and grass and roses were everywhere. Hope everyone enjoys this beautiful day.

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Readers 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 investigator came to these cursory conclusions…
I have read the documents on her website and I am amazed that […]

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Alas, it seems the city council is in lock step with the city manager regarding a more representative hiring committee. Disregarding the obvious impact that the hiring will have on ALL citizens the suggestion of having a wider group including younger committee members was answered with silence by the council.
Afterward, Mayor Britton suggested that […]

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According to a study completed this April and in contrast to government claims, biofuels have accounted for a 75% increase in global food prices. Prepared by a senior analyst at World Bank, the report will be published after this week’s G8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan and dramatically counters the US claim that plant based […]

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