Richard Lee: The Core Elements Of The Issue

From: Memorandum To Clatsop County Commission Number 2

The core elements of the situation are as follows:

* Commissioner Richard Lee is a land developer who has not complied with conditional usepermits and letters from the Planning Department staff requesting compliance, and whohas issues of non-compliance with the Building Codes Department.Memorandum to the Clatsop County Board of CommissionersFebruary 8, 2008Page 2
* He is a resistant and non-compliant Planning Department customer. His wife has madedemands upon the Planning Director that Jennifer Bunch, a Planning Staff member,should be fired for her role in seeking to enforce land use requirements for the Lee’sdevelopment.
* Commissioner Lee has taken complaints about Planning and Building Codes Staff decisions concerning his development to the Assistant County Manager, and used his access as Commissioner to interrupt meetings in her office in order to do so. On other occasions, when matters have not gone as the Lee’s preferred, they have directlycontacted the County Manager. As a result, Planning Staff feels a need to deal with themon a special basis. Despite the Lee’s efforts, the County Manager’s Office has notinterfered in the planning and permitting process.
* Commissioner Lee and his wife have been confrontational in private dealings withPlanning Staff and Building Code Officials. This behavior has caused Planning Staff andBuilding Code Officials to seek assistance from the Community Development Director, theCounty Manager’s office and County Counsel in their efforts to enforce the law andexecute their duties properly.
* Jennifer Bunch has filed a written complaint concerning this behavior with the CommunityDevelopment Director and the County Manager. She reports feeling threatened and infear of losing her job.
* The Community Development Director has voiced thoughts of resigning as hispredecessors have done, rather than continue to deal with the conflict generated by theLee’s behavior.
* On January 9 and 10, 2008, Richard Lee filed a public records request seeking disclosureto him of copies of all memos, written communication, and anything that refers to him, hiswife, or properties or projects that they are involved in, between staff members andCounty officials, Commissioners, and clients.
* On January 28, 2008, the County Manager received a Tort Claims Notice from KennethDobson, an attorney representing Lewis and Clark Development, LLC, a company ownedby Lynda and Richard Lee. The Tort Claim alleges interference with the businessrelationship by County staff.