Irrigation District Dissent

Stuntebeck and Gates were both placed on administrative leave following a KID executive session Feb. 10.

Nearly 100 people and two Oregon State Police officers were present at the standing-room only meeting.

Chairman Brent Cheyne, board members Grant Knoll and Ken Smith voted to accept Stuntebeck’s resignation. Board member Greg Carlton voted against. Board member Dave Cacka was absent.

Since last year, Cheyne, Knoll and Smith have consistently voted for or against issues as a united front, forming what many irrigators are referring to as a “majority” dynamic.

In a letter read on his behalf, Cacka called the KID board’s actions “malicious.”

“The irreparable harm done to them (Stuntebeck and Gates) is shameful,” the letter read. “Chairman Cheyne and vice chairman Knoll had an excellent opportunity as leaders to try to bring reconciliation to the district, but instead they chose to create even further division among the farmers of the Klamath Project. They chose to lead with retribution and revenge.”

Membership dispute

Board member Greg Carlton said he believes some “gray area” exists about whether Stuntebeck violated his district manager duties.

“I also feel since you’ve had control of this board,” Carlton said to Cheyne, “you’re demeanor changed and you were going to find whatever you could to get rid of Mark.”

Cheyne said Stuntebeck and the KID mutually agreed to sever their relationship, effective Feb. 29. According to Cheyne, the separation stems from a controversy about a check for $213,825 that was issued to the Klamath Water Users Association on Jan. 5.

“Although the manager maintains he was authorized to issue the check, the board of directors maintains the issuance of the check was unauthorized,” Cheyne said.

The board ordered to stop payment before the check could be cashed.

“However,” Cheyne said, “the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the check have caused an irreparable breakdown in the relationship between Stuntebeck and the board,” Cheyne said.

“Neither party will be making any further public comment regarding this separation, on the advice of their respective attorneys,” Cheyne added.

Calls for resignation

Irrigator Jim Carleton said he believes the board majority is placing its political agendas in front of irrigators’ needs and the effects are harming the district.

“I think we need to change course and reconsider some of your actions,” Carleton said to the board. “If you’re unable to do that, I think maybe you all need to consider resigning from your positions until you are able to represent the people that are out here.”

Irrigator Ed Bair said actions of the KID board majority has “irreparably divided the irrigation community.” Bair said he believes the board is promoting division among irrigators.

“Although you represent the majority position on the board,” Bair said to Cheyne, Knoll and Smith, “I do not believe you represent the best interest of KID patrons … It is apparent to me you have violated the public trust. Your resignation is the only beneficial action you can take today.”

Irrigator Mark Trotman said he believes Cheyne, Knoll and Smith are heading down the wrong path. He said he would like his KID land to be represented by the Water Users.

“The direction you guys are going is dividing the community and the water users,” Trotman said. “We don’t trust you guys. You guys have an agenda — you’re going that direction and we don’t like it.

“I would also suggest you guys consider resignation right now,” Trotman said.

Water dues held up

Irrigator Steve Kandra said that as elected public officials, the board has a duty of public trust. He said the trust includes paying membership dues to the Klamath Water Users Association.

“You told these people you were going to take an action and you have not done it,” Kandra said.

The KID board has been waffling about whether to pay its Water Users dues for 2016. The board has voted to remove itself from Water Users, and later voted to remain in Water Users. KID has already collected $5.50 per acre from its irrigators for this year’s dues. It is the same money that was intended to payout the check Stuntebeck issued to the association in January.

Rob Unruh, chairman of the Water Users board, said Water Users agreed to compromise with KID and allow the district to make monthly payments. In return, Water Users would pick KID’s representatives on Water Users board. Unruh said if KID chose to make its annual payment in full, KID could chose its own Water Users representatives.

Open meeting violations alleged