Klamath irrigators were angry after the
Klamath Irrigation District board of
directors voted, without explanation, to
place two district employees on
administrative leave.
The vote was held after an executive
session Tuesday evening at the KID
office.
About 50 KID irrigators showed up at the
KID office, but were forced to wait
outside the boardroom while the board
discussed the decision in executive
session, which is closed to the public.
After the meeting was moved in a regular
session, which is open to the public,
audience members filed into the
boardroom and the board voted for the
suspensions. The board then closed the
meeting without taking public comment or
explaining why the staff members were
placed on leave.
After the meeting adjourned, one
irrigator in the audience said, “We’re
just curious why these folks went on
administrative leave.”
“Legal counsel has advised no comment,”
said KID board chairman Brent Cheyne.
“I know that if my livelihood gets
affected, I’m going to do everything I
need to protect it,” said another
irrigator in the audience.
Cheyne, and board members Grant Knoll
and Ken Smith, voted in favor of placing
KID Manager Mark Stuntebeck on
administrative leave. Board member Dave
Cacka voted against it. Member Greg
Carleton was absent.
The board members voted 3-1 to have KID
Assistant Manager Darin Kandra assume
Stuntebeck’s duties while he is on
leave.
The board also voted 3-1 to place office
manager Rachelle Gates on administrative
leave.
Board members did not say how long
Stuntebeck and Gates will be on leave.
“Right now, as a KID irrigator, I don’t
feel like I have a good understanding of
why they are making any of the decisions
they’ve made in the last few months,”
said Trisha Hill, co-owner of Gold Dust
Potatoes. “It’s frustrating and
disappointing.”
The Herald and News has filed a request
for records pertaining to the
suspensions.