COMMISSIONER STERN

I must disclose a conflict of interest.

As you know, my husband, Matt, is a manager at Western Oregon Waste or WOW. WOW is one of Riverbend's largest customers. Although my husband is not an owner or shareholder of WOW, his compensation is in part dependent on the overall performance of the company.

Should the landfill be allowed to expand, WOW customers will benefit by having a low cost disposal option nearby. WOW publicly supports the landfill expansion.

Should this land-use application be denied, and the landfill close in 2014, WOW would likely play a larger role in the transfer and disposal of waste generated in Yamhill County. Under the current WOW structure, some part of this management may be undertaken by my husband.

Either way the vote on this application turns out, there is a financial connection to my husband, and thus to me.

The state Ethics Commission has said there is a potential conflict of interest, but not an actual one. I spoke with Ron Bersin, executive director of the Ethics Commission, for further explanation. His explanation was that since the landfill is not scheduled to close until 2014, I have only a potential conflict, as there is no guarantee that Matt will still be working at WOW at that time.

This makes no sense to me.

Matt has worked at WOW for more than 11 years. WOW's been part of my family longer than my daughter!

As the company has grown, Matt's responsibilities have increased. Matt loves his job and his work family at WOW, and has no plans to leave.

Mr. Bersin assured me that despite the Ethics Commission's opinion, it is my call as to whether or not I should vote. The final decision on my participation in this matter rests with me.

I have mulled over this decision for months, but can't shake the fact that there is a financial impact to my family. I have consulted with several attorneys whom I trust; they believe I should recuse myself.

The conflict of interest is real, whether actual or potential. The appearance of impropriety is blatant if I vote, regardless of how.

Therefore, I will not be voting on this matter.

I realize there are some who will say that I am taking the easy way out on a difficult decision, for political reasons.

Believe me, this has not been easy.

I have never been afraid to make tough decisions as commissioner. I have made many and will continue to do so.

This is not a matter of whether or not the decision is tough, either on the merits or politically. It's a question of whether it's ethical for me to be involved in this decision.

I do not believe it is. To me, there is a clear financial impact which could taint my decision.

- Mary Stern, Yamhill County Commissioner

REPUBLICAN PARTY

Commissioner Mary Stern was hired to do a job and is failing the county of Yamhill greatly. Being one of three countycommissioners, and making the money we pay her, ducking an issue is not acceptable.

We call on Commissioner Stern to vote or resign.We do not pay her for non-votes.

We feel with what is at stake, she needs to do her job. If she can't, then she should step aside and we (should) replace her.

We do not believe her, that her husband's jobis a conflict and it is causing real grief. We think it is theatrics, andshe is looking ahead to her upcoming re-election campaign in 2010.

Leaders make tough decisions. Image-watchers do not.

- Neal Lockhart, Yamhill County Republican Central Committee

DEMOCRATIC PARTY

The Yamhill County Democrats applaud (Commissioner Mary Stern's) open, ethical stance and would like to see more public officials give the public due consideration.

Some parties are crying foul for imagined efforts to "avoid a tough decision."

Commissioner Stern has never shirked from tough decisions, often providing the lone voice on the commission for more open county government and taking a broader view of issues and their impact on the residents of our county.

In some cases, mere notification of a potential conflict without a recusal would be appropriate. However, as a county commissioner in a land-use hearing, the commissioners have a quasi-judicial role that certainly justifies the high level of integrity that Commissioner Stern is showing.

- Will Neuhauser, Yamhill County Democratic Central Committee