This just shows that journalism is a craft, not a science. Different reporters and editors place different emphasis on the same subject. There aren't necessarily any "right" or "wrong" answers in deciding which story to cover.
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October 08, 2013 10:21 am • Larry Campbell, The World
A state House member running for Douglas County commissioner is getting an early start on his campaign. But in the process, his campaign and its manager may have skirted state elections law.
State Rep. Tim Freeman, R-Roseburg, filed as a candidate for county commissioner Sept. 12. To note the event, Betsy Schultz, the state House member’s chief of staff, sent a press release to various media outlets.
In fact, between Sept. 10 and Oct. 1, Schultz sent at least four email messages promoting Freeman’s campaign, all from an email account belonging to his campaign. All emails were sent during normal working hours.
Schultz also made phone calls to various news representatives on behalf of the campaign, also during what would be considered normal working hours.
State elections law specifically forbids any state employee from participating in political campaigning unless they do so on their own time, Tony Green, communications director for Secretary of State Kate Brown said Monday.
Green added that the secretary has received no complaint concerning Freeman or Schultz and that no investigation is currently being conducted.
Freeman explained Monday that state legislative workers often find their time divided between state duties and campaigning during election seasons. But he has always tried to maintain a clear delineation between the two.
“We try to get it right,” he said. “If it’s not clear, I definitely want it to be clear.”
By telephone Monday, Schultz explained to The World that she has been splitting her time between her chief of staff duties and as campaign manager. She said that her part-time status with the state takes between 10 and 20 hours a week.
“I was working back and forth,” she said. “I can understand that might be confusing.”
Freeman said Schultz is being paid $2,000 a month for her campaign work and $850 a month for her state duties as chief of staff.
Both Freeman and Schultz said all emails were sent on her own time from her personal computer.
But as to the signature identifying her as chief of staff?
“It sounds like I’m going to have to go back and change what needs to be changed,” she said.
Freeman concurred.
“We’ll go back and take a look and make changes if necessary,” he said.
Freeman is completing a third term in the state House. The seat he’s running for is currently held by Commissioner Joe Laurance, who announced in March that he will not seek re-election.
The only other person who has filed for commission Seat 2 is Dale R. Rogers of Myrtle Creek, a former welder and heavy equipment operator and currently a municipal court bailiff. Rogers has no prior government experience.
As a representative, Freeman currently earns $21,936 a year. Douglas County commissioners earn $75,940 a year. But money isn’t the reason he won’t return to the House.
“I just decided I want more time with my wife and kids,” Freeman said. “My son’s 17 now and my daughter’s in college. I just miss them and want more time around here.”
Freeman said he will not run for state House again.
Freeman became known statewide for introducing some attention-grabbing issues into House discourse. In 2011, he got the House to adopt the “Code of the West,” a set of principles from the book, “Cowboy Ethics.” He also introduced a measure earlier this year to invalidate federal firearms restrictions in the state.
A state House member running for Douglas County commissioner is getting an early start on his campaign. But in the process, his campaign and its manager may have skirted state elections law.
State Rep. Tim Freeman, R-Roseburg, filed as a candidate for county commissioner Sept. 12. To note the event, Betsy Schultz, the state House member’s chief of staff, sent a press release to various media outlets.
In fact, between Sept. 10 and Oct. 1, Schultz sent at least four email messages promoting Freeman’s campaign, all from an email account belonging to his campaign. All emails were sent during normal working hours.
Schultz also made phone calls to various news representatives on behalf of the campaign, also during what would be considered normal working hours.
State elections law specifically forbids any state employee from participating in political campaigning unless they do so on their own time, Tony Green, communications director for Secretary of State Kate Brown said Monday.
Green added that the secretary has received no complaint concerning Freeman or Schultz and that no investigation is currently being conducted.
Freeman explained Monday that state legislative workers often find their time divided between state duties and campaigning during election seasons. But he has always tried to maintain a clear delineation between the two.
“We try to get it right,” he said. “If it’s not clear, I definitely want it to be clear.”
By telephone Monday, Schultz explained to The World that she has been splitting her time between her chief of staff duties and as campaign manager. She said that her part-time status with the state takes between 10 and 20 hours a week.
“I was working back and forth,” she said. “I can understand that might be confusing.”
Freeman said Schultz is being paid $2,000 a month for her campaign work and $850 a month for her state duties as chief of staff.
Both Freeman and Schultz said all emails were sent on her own time from her personal computer.
But as to the signature identifying her as chief of staff?
“It sounds like I’m going to have to go back and change what needs to be changed,” she said.
Freeman concurred.
“We’ll go back and take a look and make changes if necessary,” he said.
Freeman is completing a third term in the state House. The seat he’s running for is currently held by Commissioner Joe Laurance, who announced in March that he will not seek re-election.
The only other person who has filed for commission Seat 2 is Dale R. Rogers of Myrtle Creek, a former welder and heavy equipment operator and currently a municipal court bailiff. Rogers has no prior government experience.
As a representative, Freeman currently earns $21,936 a year. Douglas County commissioners earn $75,940 a year. But money isn’t the reason he won’t return to the House.
“I just decided I want more time with my wife and kids,” Freeman said. “My son’s 17 now and my daughter’s in college. I just miss them and want more time around here.”
Freeman said he will not run for state House again.
Freeman became known statewide for introducing some attention-grabbing issues into House discourse. In 2011, he got the House to adopt the “Code of the West,” a set of principles from the book, “Cowboy Ethics.” He also introduced a measure earlier this year to invalidate federal firearms restrictions in the state.
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