IN THE KITZ HOUSE - IS THERE NO SHAME?
"Kitzgate" goes on and on and on...
State announced $150,000 contract to wife of key Kitzhaber advisor before competitive bidding
Oregonian
"Oregon Health Authority officials announced the selection of the wife of a former top aide to Gov. John Kitzhaber for a $150,000 contract before any formal bidding took place."
The Oregonian has learned. A state manager internally announced the hiring of Kate Raphael to produce videos about the governor's health reforms on July 31, documents show. That was eight days before a formal competitive-bidding solicitation was issued, and nearly a month before a contract was signed. Two other firms bid on the contract, including one with a $100,000 lower price tag.
Raphael got the job. The contract illustrates the cozy relations in political circles and how they contribute to the public's skepticism of government. Raphael's husband, Tim, served as Kitzhaber's communications director until December 2013. Now advising the Democratic governor's re-election campaign, he also works with First Lady Cylvia Hayes, coordinating her Oct. 9 public apology for an illegal green card marriage in 1997."
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RAD: Given what in the Nixon era was termed "the horrors" now Kitzhaber's horrors - the Nike and Intel "deals", the CRC failure, the CoverOregon debacle, the walkout of Rudy Crew, Cylviagate and now cronyism in the governor's office, if Kitz is re-elected he will have lost the "moral authority to govern."
His trust with the voters of Oregon will have been broken. His reputation will be in tatters inside the Puzzle Palace. He should simply leave office before January and turn the keys to Mahonia Hall over to Kate Brown, the Secretary of State who is next in line to succeed the governor.
A victory over a flawed opponent will be a pyrhic victory. The Kitzhaber era is over! If he truly cares about Oregon Kitz should have the deceny to leave office and allow his successor to take the gavel and begin the process of repairing the breach Kitz has created by his arrogance, incompetence and hubris.
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