Announcement expected Thursday regarding Gorayeb status

Mayor Chris Frye told The Nugget Monday morning that the Sisters City Council continues to work toward resolving the status of City Manager Andrew Gorayeb.

The council held a fourth executive session on the matter early Monday morning and left without a resolution, despite having scheduled a special meeting at which an announcement was expected.

"At the end of the (executive session), it was apparent that a couple of 'I's' needed to be dotted and 'T's' that need to be crossed before we can say anything," Frye said.

He said that he expects that the council will be able to make an announcement at Thursday's regular council meeting.

Frye acknowledged that the council left staff and citizens hanging by not making any announcement at the scheduled special meeting. City staff were unaware that the special meeting was not being held and they were not informed that no decision had been made.

Four citizens showed up at City Hall Monday morning expecting to hear some kind of announcement. The lack of any announcement did not sit well with the citizens who showed up.

Bob Wright said, "I think they should have come out and had the special meeting. If they wanted to hold back, they should have done that, not just ignored the public... they should have followed through with this public meeting and if there's no decision, there's no decision."

"That probably would have been a much better way to go," Frye said.

Frye acknowledged that he had been "short" with a citizen, Steve Harris, when he showed up expecting the special meeting, and Frye says he intends to contact him.

"I owe an apology for being short," he said.

Harris expressed displeasure at the length of the process.

"I think it's ridiculous that it's taken two months," he said. "That's over $20,000 for him (Gorayeb) to be sitting at home."

Gorayeb, whose annual salary is $92,042.88, has been on paid administrative leave since February 25, after complaints were made by some City employees regarding conduct that was described only as not financial, physical, or sexual in nature.

Asked whether Gorayeb will return to work, Frye said he cannot answer that question at this time. Asked whether the council wants Gorayeb to return, he said, "We want what's best for the City of Sisters and hopefully by Thursday, that will be finalized and we will be able to make it public."

He said, "I don't want to over-promise and under-deliver, which, unfortunately, I think I did this morning. However, regarding a Thursday, April 28, announcement, he said, "I would fully expect that, yes."

He said that the cost to the City of the lengthy process has not yet been totaled.

Frye thanked the citizenry for their patience - though that seems to be wearing thin.

"Nobody wants this to be over quicker and sooner than the parties involved," he said. "This has been a very difficult, excruciating process and we have five individuals (the council) who are committed to the best interests of Sisters who are working very hard to get an outcome as quickly as possible with the best interests of Sisters at heart."