July 22, 2009
By Danielle Peterson • Statesman Journal • July 22, 2009
Silverton Mayor Stu Rasmussen's clothing choices are at the center of a formal complaint filed Friday with the city council president.
His appearance at a recent youth leadership training event spurred the complaint, filed by Silverton Together Director Brenda Sturdevant. She said the mayor's attire was in violation of the city council dress code.
Sturdevant said Rasmussen's attire, "high heels, a very short skirt and some sort of halter top revealing much of his bosom, shoulders and back," was inappropriate.
"This puts Silverton Together in a position that will be difficult to defend when we have sent our youth home on various occasions to change into something more appropriate," she said. "I expect our public leaders to follow the same guidelines that we have for our youth."
Rasmussen, deemed the nation's first openly transgender mayor, is a member of Silverton Together's Board of Directors and was invited to speak with the youths, ages 12-17.
Rasmussen said he was surprised by the complaint and initially thought it was a hoax. But when a retraction did not follow, he opted to write a rebuttal.
He noted the description of Silverton Together's annual "Celebration of Cultures" and its goal to raise awareness of diversity.
"It is surprising and disappointing that an organization chartered to promote diversity and cultural understanding would take a public position of intolerance," Rasmussen said.
As for the city council dress code, which was adopted in 2006, he said he thinks it's unnecessary.
"Silverton voters have spoken plainly and openly that the issue of personal attire or appearance is not relevant to their choices for council representatives," Rasmussen said.
In the letter, he urges council to rescind the resolution before it becomes an "embarrassing public issue" for the community.
City Manager Bryan Cosgrove said it's up to the city council to decide how to handle the complaint.
"We don't enforce council rules, only the council can do that," Cosgrove said.
He advised the council to discuss the matter during a public meeting.
To his knowledge, no other complaints have been filed regarding Rasmussen's attire.
Sturdevant went to city hall last week and requested a copy of the city council dress code, which includes a list of "appropriate" and "inappropriate" dress for men and women in a business setting. Among "inappropriate" clothing are: tank tops and mini-skirts.
On the day in question, Rasmussen said the temperature topped 90 degrees.
"It was hot and sticky," he said. "My attire was completely appropriate to the circumstances and I also received a number of compliments on it during the day."
djpeterson@salem.gannett.com
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