Mayor Rowe's Slander Against Dr. and Councilman Mark Raney

Rowe: "Well, if you want to go behind the barn, we'll settle it man-to-man..." [audio clip]
Source: From the Horse's, uh, Mouth himself during the April 3, 2003 council meeting
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Transcription of Exchange between Mayor C. H. Rowe and Councilmember Mark Raney (in Word, Acrobat)

BELOW IS AN EMAIL WE RECEIVED FROM A SULTAN RESIDENT ABOUT SLANDEROUS STATEMENTS MADE BY SULTAN MAYOR C. H. ROWE, IMPUGNING THE PROFESSIONALISM OF DR. MARK RANEY:

Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 7:37 AM
To: 'chrowetrns@aol.com'
cc: 'bchampeaux@skyvalley.net'; 'sultancouncil@cs.com';
'perrymcp@aol.com'; 'sultanpost@msn.com';
'j.everett@sultancitycouncil.com'; 'msraney@earthlink.net'

Subject: Professionalism

Mr. Mayor:

I continue to be amazed and extremely disappointed by your actions as the mayor of our city. This is a free country and I support freedom of speech, however as an elected official I expect some level of professionalism from you as our city leader. My husband was in the True Value hardware store on Monday. He indicated he was waiting behind you and the lady behind the counter indicated she had some ailment and was going to make a visit to Dr. Raney. Your response was that she should not go see him - he cannot help you, he is not a good doctor, etc. etc. Everyone has their own opinion, but I think to speak of someone on YOUR city council so negatively - especially in a local business establishment, in the presence of others that are residents of this city is very disrespectful given your position. I understand that there has been many disagreements among the city council members and the mayor and basically or government is divided at this time. It is expected that members of the council/mayor are not going to agree on many things - that is politics. However, I would ask that you keep it professional and keep your personal opinions about other members to yourself, as it reflects badly on you as the mayor - and it certainly leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

Comments made by this resident in a follow-up email, in response to my questions:

We had the opportunity to meet Dr. Raney last summer when he was working out in his fields. He has always
been very cordial and even though he is one of the driving forces for the city manager type of government, at no time has he ever personally attacked the mayor or any other member of the council. He spoke stictly on a professional basis and spoke about the issues at hand. That says a lot about the kind of integrity he has. I also find it incredible the work he did to retain the Sultan clinic and he is still treated so poorly. However, it is [apparently] a small minority of small-minded people, and I hope Dr. Raney understands that many, many people in Sultan appreciate him and his work.