Seen a Rogue on the loose? Get in touch with our Roguemeister: JOHN SCHRAG jschrag@wweek.com (503) 243-2122 FAX: (503) 243-1115 This week's Rogue, Bruce Andrews, stands accused of keeping a sloppy farm. A recent state audit of Andrews' 10-year reign as director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture found a widespread failure to follow state procedures. Auditors found that Andrews, now director of corporate marketing and public affairs for the Port of Portland, took poorly documented travel advances, flew first-class without permission on a junket to Africa and Paris and double-billed the state for automobile travel, among other violations. Andrews' behavior seems to have set the tone for his agency. Auditors found that the agriculture department failed such basic processes as collecting money owed to the state (38 percent of receivables were 90 days past due). It also failed to inventory the equipment it issued to Andrews and department employees. "Because of the lack of documentation, we were unable to confirm that [Andrews'] cell phone or laptop computer was returned," the audit states. Department personnel also failed to document the criteria for awarding contracts. For instance, Andrews' former assistant received a $10,710 contract from the department without having to go through competitive bidding. For his part, Andrews, who has been mentioned as a possible successor to port executive director Mike Thorne, says the audit must be viewed in the context of more than a decade of service. "Am I embarrassed about the irregularities? You bet," he says. "But three governors and a lot of people in agriculture would say we did a good job." State audits director John Lattimer, however, says Andrews' conduct was not typical of other top state administrators. Each time the head of a state agency leaves his post, that agency is automatically audited. Lattimer says the review of the agriculture department found more problems than most. "We tend not to find these kinds of issues when other executives leave," Lattimer says. "Most directors are very careful because they're setting standards for their departments." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Willamette Week | originally published January 5, 1999

 

The Rules of Bedroom Golf: 1. Each player shall furnish his own equipment for play--normally one club and two balls. 2. Play on a course must be approved by the owner of the hole. 3. Unlike outdoor golf, the object is to get the club in the hole and keep the balls out of the hole. 4. For most effective play, the club should have a firm shaft. Course owners are permitted to check shaft stiffness before play begins. 5. Course owners reserve the right to restrict the length of the club to avoid damage to the hole. 6. The object of the game is to take as many strokes as necessary until the owner is satisfied that the play is complete. Failure to do so may result in being denied permission to play the course again. 7. It is considered bad form to begin playing the hole immediately upon arrival at the course. The experienced player will normally take time to admire the entire course, with special attention to well formed bunkers. 8. Players are cautioned not to mention other courses they have played on or are currently playing to the owner of the course being played. Upset course owners have been known to damage a player's equipment for this reason. 9. Players are encouraged to have proper rain gear along, just in case. 10. Players should assure themselves that their match has been properly scheduled, particularly when a new course is being played on for the first time. Previous players have been known to become irate if they discover someone else playing what they consider to be a private course. 11. Players should not assume a course is in shape to play at all times. Some players may be embarrassed if they find the course to be temporarily under repair. Players are advised to be extremely tactful in this situation. More advanced players will find alternate means of play when this is the case. 12. Players are advised to obtain the course owner's permission before attempting to play the back nine. 13. Slow play is encouraged; however, players should be prepared to proceed at a quicker pace, at least temporarily, at the course owner's request. 14. It is considered outstanding performance, time permitting, to play the same hole several times in one match. 15. The course owner will be the sole judge of who is the best player. **Players are advised to think twice before considering membership at a given course. Additional assessments may be levied by the course owner and the rules are subject to change. For this reason, many players prefer to continue to play several different courses.