On June 25, 2024, one week before the newly proclaimed Patriot Month in the City of Redmond, the City Council presented a proclamation to local business owner and People's Rights Network member Arman Kluehe. But without notification, the City Council had changed not only the text and body of the proclamation, but the title as well.
Arman was asked if he was able to review the City's changes before the proclamation was presented. Arman stated that he was not notified it had been changed, or given an opportunity to approve or not approve the changes made. He said, "I only had a few minutes to review the document before the meeting started."
Later in the meeting when citizens were asked for comments, Arman's colleague Rachel Nordenhok volunteered to comment. She introduced herself as being from the Daughters of the American Revolution, and having her own proclamation in 2024 coming up in a few months.
What sounds like Counselor Osborne to Mayor Fitch off the mic: Uh, were they notified by email?
Mayor Fitch: No.
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The Submitted and Presented proclamations were made public, so people can see what the changes were.
Submitted Proclamation
Presented Proclamation
We asked Rachel to comment on the changes that were made, and she pointed out "Our submitted proclamation has a description of what a Patriot is, that is very inclusive of ALL Americans. I would point out that the presented proclamation took that out, and also dis-included Veterans, which was one of the most important parts of Patriot Month. But most of all, changing the title of the proclamation automatically voided the fact that our proclamation was approved by the Redmond City Council."
She added, "I have done proclamations before, and in fact, the Redmond City Council helped me with the Constitution Week Proclamation when I was new at it, they did make changes to the body of the proclamation which made it much better, and I was very thankful for their help. But I was also sent the changes so I could approve them, and of course the title was not changed."
UTSOC will continue to follow the progress of the re-submitted PATRIOT MONTH Proclamation, which will be requested to be presented at the Redmond City Council Meeting July 9, 2024 at 6:00 PM at the Redmond City Hall Council Chambers.
To speak at the meeting sign up here: https://www.redmondoregon.gov/government/city-council/council-meeting-info
You can contact the Mayor and Councilors at https://www.redmondoregon.gov/government/city-council
UPDATE - Redmond City Council Meeting on July 9th, 2024 was a heated one. Local Citizens commented to the Council in favor of the PATRIOT MONTH Proclamation, and voiced their grievances with the Council. Some of the video clips are as follows:
Videos 1-3 Show Mayor Ed Fitch making a statement on changing Public Comments at Redmond City Council Meetings, his statement on the Patriot Month Proclamation, and Honorable Veteran Dennis Guthrie asks why the council removed the words "Patriot" and "Love" from the original proclamation.
Videos 4-6 show local citizen and Deschutes Republican Chair Scott Stuart submitting his comments on the Council's behavior, DAR Member Rachel Nordenhok listing some facts about the handling of the Patriot Month Proclamation, and Donna Abeleine addressing the Council's easy approval of Pride Month, but not Patriot Month, and expressing her free speech.
Videos 7-9 shows Mayor Ed Fitch having a bit of trouble with the comments, Councilor Osborne walks out as Donna speaks, and returns, Donna gives her final comments at the end comments section of the meeting.
Videos 10-12 features local business owner and People's Rights member Arman Kluehe who submitted and was presented the changed proclamation, Joe Strong who defends Donna and calls out the Councils behaviors, and final comments from the author of Patriot Month Proclamation Rachel Nordenhok.
UPDATE 07/17/24
In a Zoom meeting with Mayor Ed Fitch, Arman Kluehe, and Rachel Nordenhok: Mayor Ed Fitch apologized for the changed proclamation, and not realizing it was also a DAR submitted proclamation. He said the Patriot Month Proclamation has been approved, and if agreed, it can be presented for the month of September.
Arman agreed to this, and they will re-submit the proclamation to be presented in the last City Council Meeting of August, proclaiming September and Patriot Month in the City of Redmond, Oregon.
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At the Redmond City Council Meeting on August 27, 2024, Mayor Ed Fitch reads and presents the PATRIOT MONTH Proclamation. Author Rachel Nordenhok comments.
The Mayor and Redmond City Council put 2 proclamations before Patriot Month. Why do you think that is?
I'm pretty sure our local media will ignore this. They are woke.
Does this mean September will be proclaimed PATRIOT MONTH? This is great news.
This Tuesday is the Redmond City Council Meeting - 6:00 PM at Redmond City Hall 716 SW Evergreen Ave. It is unknown if this issue will be addressed, just like the media they may try to sweep it under the rug. They need to be held accountable for:
• Changing the Patriot Month Proclamation without notice before presenting it publicly
• Changing the TITLE of Patriot Month to American Independence Month without notice.
• Taking out all-inclusive description of what a patriot is, and taking out Veterans
• Dishonest and deceptive behavior
If they choose to NOT present the PATRIOT MONTH Proclamation, they must give a reason for DENIAL.
Their presented American Independence Month Proclamation is null and void given…
Councilor Kathryne Osborne said she did not see the original proclamation, she didn't know it existed.