Philomath worker's resignation was pending before May accident

PHILOMATH - City Public Works Director Beau Vencill planned to retire in July, but he never turned in his resignation.

And that means he could retain his position until the end of the year, even as he remains hospitalized with burns and broken bones from a May car crash that also seriously injured his wife.

Joan Swanson, city of Philomath finance director, said Vencill had accrued months of vacation and sick time. He had worked for the city for 26 years, including 14 as its public-works director.

"Since we never received a formal letter announcing his retirement date, he's still considered the public works director for the city and will remain as such," said City Manager Randy Kugler. "We have not been able to have any communication with him on this."

Vencill is in serious condition in the intensive care unit at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland. Kugler said Vencill was heavily sedated and the hospital wasn't allowing visitors other than family.

His wife, Sally Vencill, is in serious condition at the Oregon Burn Center, on the campus of Legacy Emanuel.

Because Vencill still is officially on the job, he will be able to continue maximizing his employee health benefits, as well as receive his salary of $5,602 per month. Had he retired, he wouldn't have been eligible for medical benefits from the city. Philomath doesn't keep medical records and billings for its employees, so no tally of his bill to date was available. However, a day's stay in any Intensive Care Unit typically costs thousands of dollars.

"We're just hoping he gets well," Swanson said. "It's a tragedy. … They have a lot of friends in the community."

Shortly before midnight on May 19, the couple was severely injured when their vehicle struck a power pole off Highway 99W south of Corvallis. Their pickup caught fire.

Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Huff Meyr said that fatigue was the factor that most likely contributed to the crash. The Vencills were returning from a trip to visit family.

"Nothing in the investigation has led us to believe alcohol would be a factor," he said.

Philomath isn't recruiting a successor for its public-works director, and operations supervisor Kevin Fear is filling in while Vencill is incapacitated. The department employs 11 of the city's 25 full-time workers.

"We're just going to have to drop things down a notch and make do this summer," Kugler said.

Donation jars have been set up around Philomath to help the Vencills' two sons with traveling expenses. Michael Vencill works as a utility maintenance worker for the city. Son Colin Vencill just graduated from Oregon State University.

"With gas prices the way they are … ," said Peggy Clark, a Pioneer Telephone service representative, who knew Beau Vencill through work.

To read more on this story see reporter Kyle Odegard's blog: http://www.gazettetimes.com/gtblogs/kyle_odegard/

Kyle Odegard can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.