Senior Center director released from his duties

Alex Paul

Michael Riggle, director of the Sweet Home Senior Center since May 2003, was released from his duties Monday after the Oregon Department of Transportation threatened to pull funding for local bus programs, which fell under his supervision.

In a letter to Don Hopkins, Senior Center board president, Tim McQueary, mayor, and Roger Nyquist, chair of the Linn County Board of Commissioners, ODOT administrator Martin Loring noted, “We have recently been apprised of certain allegations about Mr. Riggle’s past, which, if true, cause great concern about the appropriateness of ODOT continuing its direct and indirect business relationship with the Senior Center.”

Mr. Loring said the state, county and cities that receive ODOT funds must promise to abide by the State Management Plan for FTA funded programs which says: To prevent fraud, waste and abuse in federal transactions, persons or entities that, by defined events or behavior, potentially threaten the integrity of federally-assisted programs are excluded from participation in FTA-assisted programs. ODOT will not enter into any third party or grant agreement with any party included in the U.S. General Services Administration’s List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Non-procurement Programs.

He added: “To the best of our knowledge and belief, neither Mr. Riggle nor the Sweet Home Senior Center is included on that list” … but if Mr. Riggle had pleaded nolo contendere to the crime of welfare fraud in California in 2000 as pointed out recently in The New Era, “there is a potential for disbarment.”

ODOT had also extended Riggle “benefit of the doubt” accommodations but “given this new information, we question whether such accommodations were acceptable.”

Loring concluded, “As direct sub recipients of FTA grant funds from ODOT, we will hold the City of Sweet Home and Linn County accountable for what happens concerning those funds, and we expect you to hold our subcontractor, the Sweet Home Senior Center, equally accountable.”

Don Hopkins said of Riggle’s release, “There were actually a number of issues that weren’t being attended to the satisfaction of the board.”

Hopkins said revenues offset by the ODOT funding are used to help defray operating costs at the Senior Center, such as utilities.

“Without funding for the bus services, there would be a drastic impact on many persons in the community,” Hopkins said. “The bus system addresses many special needs in the community including students who travel to LBCC, workers going to the Willamette Valley Rehab and those who need local transportation.”

Applications for the director’s position are available at the Senior Center and are due by mid-April. Salary and hours are flexible.

“Good management skills are important including being able to get along with both older and younger persons, since the Senior Center and Boys and Girls Club are in the same building,” Hopkins said. “Computer skills are a plus, including being fluent with Quick Books.”

According to California court records, Riggle was sentenced to 20 days in the Sacramento County Jail and received credit for one day served. He was on three years probation when he accepted the Senior Center job. Riggle was also required to make restitution of $4,590 after failing to report income from In-Home Supportive Services and the San Juan Unified School District to the Department of Human Assistance.

Riggle received, but was not entitled to $2,755 in AFDC and $1,835 in food stamps.

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