by Christy Solo – Editor
With the recent resignation of former Eagle Point Police Chief Jim Hamilton citizens have been speaking up in meetings and meeting outside of meetings – most in support of Hamilton.
The situation in Eagle Point hearkens back to legal and union issues surrounding former City Administrator Michele Parry and members of city staff which were faced by the City of Shady Cove in 2025.
Some Shady Cove citizens stated they felt council and City Hall staff should be speaking out in detail about the ongoing issues. Council did not. They could not. They still cannot.
This is also the case with Eagle Point council and staff regarding not only Hamilton’s resignation, but also the letters from the Eagle Point Police Officer’s Association and Teamsters Local 223 received by the city on Aug. 25th.
Note: See the City of Eagle Point’s official press release at the end of this article.
We’re re-printing – in part – our explainer from July 30, 2025 on what qualifies as actual Public Record and can be spoken about in a public meeting and/or printed or referenced in a newspaper article versus “things which can be brought up by citizens on the street or in meetings or can be freely speculated upon by citizens on social media, in the local coffee shop or even in Letters to the Editor.”
The focus is on legal issues and union grievances as those “hot topics” came up in Shady Cove and are also key issues in Eagle Point currently.
The very short version: Details about litigation or litigation likely to be filed are not public record. This goes for union grievances too as well as independent investigations into city council and staff sparked by union grievances.
This is exemplified in ORS 192.660 “Executive sessions permitted on certain matters.” Anything which would be discussed in an executive session is off the public record and “To consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed.” is right there in the Oregon statute under permitted reasons for an executive session.
Any further details about the union grievances, including names of those who filed, and any specifics – not public record. They cannot be spoken about in public meetings, e.g. questions from citizens cannot be answered. They cannot be broadcast or written about by media outlets.
Hamilton opting to speak to various members of the press on the matter does not break the attorney client privilege held by the City of Eagle Point and their city attorney. The city cannot go much, if any, beyond “No comment.”
Freedom of the Press does not trump Attorney Client Privilege, even under Oregon’s transparency laws.
Does all this mean the public will never know any details? Not necessarily. The key is the “current or likely to be filed” wording.
Once litigation is completed or dropped, details may be released to the public. The same for union grievances once they are settled or dropped. Still it’s likely the full details from all sides will never be public record.
And that is Public Records and what Newspapers Can and Cannot Print 101.
Press Release from Eagle Point Mayor Sell and City Council – Sept. 2, 2026
The Eagle Point City Council first learned of Chief Jim Hamilton’s resignation at the Council meeting on August 25th. The Chief’s decision came as a surprise to all of us, and the decision was entirely his own. Chief Hamilton served honorably as Chief, and we are grateful for his contributions to the City of Eagle Point. The Eagle Point Police Department and the City of Eagle Point are better because of his dedication to service, professionalism, and leadership. We wish Chief Hamilton all the best in his future endeavors. We accept Chief Hamilton’s resignation, effective September 7, 2026.
The Council also first learned of the letters from the Eagle Point Police Officer’s Association and Teamsters Local 223 on August 25th. Those letters were provided to the Mayor and City Council only minutes before the City Council meeting that day. The letters expressed a vote of no confidence regarding two City management employees. The concerns outlined in the letters had not previously been brought to the Council’s attention. In response, the Council authorized an independent workplace investigation to provide an opportunity for the concerns to be reviewed through a fair and impartial process. We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as this process moves forward.
