News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
The City of Sisters fired Police Chief David Haynes on May 15. Haynes had been on suspension since Ma
y 1.
Neither Haynes nor city officials would comment on specific issues surrounding Haynes' termination.
"But," said Sisters Mayor Steve Wilson, "to avoid unnecessary speculation by the residents of the community, I will say that this was a management issue, not an issue of David's integrity."
Haynes resigned his post briefly on June 25, 1996, after a dispute with City Administrator Barbara Warren over payment for "compensatory time" for Sisters Police officers. Haynes then asked for his job back and was reinstated by the city council July 1.
The issue of "comp" time continues to haunt the city.
Four police officers filed suit against the city in April, alleging, among other complaints, that Warren's refusal to p
ay the officers for their accrued compensatory time--as the city had done in the past--constitutes a breach of contract between the city and its employees.
The officers have been required to take their compensatory time in the form of time off work. In response to this and other issues, Sisters Police officers have notified the city of their intent to form a union affiliate with the Teamsters Union.
Sources within the City of Sisters have told The Nugget that there has been ongoing friction between the police chief and the city administrator.
"I feel this move is unfortunate," Haynes said. "I've served the City of Sisters for six years, and I'm proud of what the department has accomplished"
Haynes said he plans to stay in the Sisters area.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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