State fair chief returns to work after investigation
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 11:03 AM PDT
PORTLAND (AP) — The manager of the Oregon State Fair has returned to work after spending time on paid administrative leave during an investigation into complaints about his behavior immediately before and during this summer’s fair.
Dave Koellermeier was placed on leave Sept. 2 after written complaints — two filed by fair staff workers and another filed by a sponsor — persuaded state officials that an investigation was necessary. He was officially on paid leave until Sept. 15, then on vacation until Monday.
Chris Havel, spokesman for the state Parks and Recreation Department, declined to release specifics about the complaints, but said they germinated from arguments.
‘‘They were very confrontational,’’ he said. ‘‘It was the lack of professionalism that led to the complaint.’’ Havel said Koellermeier must apologize to the staffers involved. Moreover, his job will be restructured to have him have focus more on long-term visionary duties, rather than daily operations. The day-to-day management of the fairgrounds has been taken over on an interim basis by Kyleen Stone, assistant director for recreation programs and planning with the parks department, the Capital Press reported.
