Richard Lee Recall Signatures Confirmed

By JOE GAMM - The Daily Astorian

Friday, February 15, 2008

Clatsop County Commissioner Richard Lee has until Wednesday to either resign or defend himself in a public statement for a March 25 recall election.

The final stray signatures on the Lee recall petition were certified this morning.

Last week, supporters of the effort came in two valid signatures short of the needed 468 but, the group turned in six more signatures Monday, four of which counted, putting the total at 470.

Interim County Clerk Fred Neal said today.If Lee resigns, there will be no recall election.

Otherwise, residents of Lee's district have until March 4 to register to vote on the issue, Neal said.Although he has declined interviews with The Daily Astorian, Lee addressed the issue during a Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday.

"I wish to publicly state that I am not guilty of the many charges," said Lee. "Thank you for your support.

"Lee is accused of using his position on the county board to favor his business interests and circumventing regulations on permits and other matters, especially in dealing with the county planning department.

During the public comment period of the meeting, Lori Durheim, of Astoria, stepped to the microphone and asked for Lee to resign.

She was followed by Jay Kiddle, also of Astoria, who also asked that Lee resign."I find it inconceivable that he can sue my interest and still represent it," he said.

Lee has had his Portland lawyer file a tort claim against the county indicating his intention to sue if certain conditions are not met.

His contention is that he has been unfairly penalized by county planners.Two other people attending the meeting, Willard and Tammy Richardson, of Astoria, told commissioners Wednesday they, like Lee, have had problems dealing with the county's planning department.

After they offered details, Clatsop County Manager Scott Derickson said he would follow up.

Meanwhile, the other four commissioners appear to be working out their differences, which culminated in name-calling and an obscene gesture at a session last month.

Commissioner Sam Patrick, who has been the lone vote in many 4-1 decisions in the past year, read a letter into the record, explaining his actions during a one-on-one meeting between Commissioner Ann Samuelson and him during a goal-setting session in January.

Samuelson said during a Jan. 23 board meeting that his references to violence "created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

"Patrick, a former Los Angeles County deputy sheriff, said he was simply reverting back to his training and using a metaphor about an armed person barricading himself.

"I said to you, 'In a situation like that, you do everything possible to end the situation before you drop the hammer,'" he said.

He said the two continued to discuss "expedience," and he thought they were on common ground.Patrick has said he will retire from the commission when his term ends this year.

Patricia Roberts plans to file again.

Samuelson and Jeff Hazen's positions are not on the ballot this year.