Wasilla council may censure city employees

By Michael Rovito
Frontiersman
Published on Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:19 PM AKDT

WASILLA — Two city employees and one former Wasilla city employee could face censure because of their involvement in activities to benefit a developer.

A report complied by Denali Law Group, which conducted the independent investigation, accuses Mayor Dianne M. Keller and several top administrators of inappropriate dealings a shopping center developer.

The censure, sponsored by Councilwoman Dianne Woodruff, doesn’t name the individuals. Woodruff said they have not been identified as a matter of decorum.

The report, however, names Wasilla Economic Development Planner Casey Reynolds, Public Works Director Archie Giddings and former deputy administrator Sandra Garley as those who knew of behind-the-scenes cooperation between the city and Meritage Development LLC regarding the development of two parcels of land adjacent to the Parks Highway.

All three, along with Keller, were named in the report as having first-hand knowledge of cooperation to seemingly use scare tactics on local businesses uncooperative with a plan to realign the intersection of East Sun Mountain Avenue and Hermon Road.

The three were in the wrong because they failed to question or attempt to stop letters sent to local businesses threatening eminent domain, Denali Law Group attorney Richard Payne said.

According to the report, Reynolds informed a representative from Meritage about the threatening, strongly worded letters 10 days before business owners received them.

E-mails between Reynolds and Meritage about the letters amount to the appearance of collusion between the city and the developer, Payne has said.

For Woodruff, censuring employees involved will convey the council’s feelings on the matter. The council has already asked Keller to resign from office, a request she has denied. As an elected official, the council has no power to discipline the mayor.

“It’s to deal with their involvement in the events covered by the Denali Law Group report only,” Woodruff said of issuing a censure, which is defined as the act of blaming or condemning sternly.

Giddings and Reynolds have maintained they did nothing wrong. Garley, now Palmer’s director of community development, has said she did not read the report.

Woodruff said if she can get a second on her motion to request censures, she is likely to divide the question to deal with each position separately.

“We may want to deal with these three individuals separately, depending on their involvement,” Woodruff said.

The Wasilla City Council meets at 7 p.m., Monday in its chambers at 290 E. Herning Ave.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

Comments

12 comment(s)

    Be careful wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:04 AM:

    " of supporting the current regime. You are the one that is not paying attention to those who you support. Look at he polls, blogs, etc. There are many silent voices out there waiting for the moment. We may be sheep, but we become observant sheep and can spot the wolf after being biten so much. Keller and others are being watched by more than you think. Bad people and bullies always get whats due.
    You will see your screaming at the voting booth and the court trials. That's only some of the words corrupt leaders listen to. "

    Sarah wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:24 AM:

    " you are Diane Woodruffs jury. Your decisions seem to matter to yourself anyway". I DO NOT think so, it sounds like Diane is doing the most screaming for blood. All I am saying is be care of the people whom what to throw stones. "

    Sounds like wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:30 PM:

    " you are Diane Woodruffs jury. Your decisions seem to matter to yourself anyway. "

    Sarah wrote on Jul 15, 2008 5:08 AM:

    " Diane isn't running. But if she was she could win against the corrupt power group that is there now. People are tired of bullying and corruption in case you don't see was happening in politics. "I know she is NOT running for Mayor" but you should be careful of what you wish. Do you really know how HONEST your candiates are, maybe you should think of how one person thinks she is judge and jury.. "

    Not Running wrote on Jul 14, 2008 11:16 PM:

    " Diane isn't running. But if she was she could win against the corrupt power group that is there now. People are tired of bullying and corruption in case you don't see was happening in politics. These scum bags get in and are protected under their own rules. Keller and others would have been tossed long ago but know how to hide under the rocks. Good people like most of the current council are trying to change this. Stay tuned. House cleaning is on it's way. The citizens deserve better. "

    Sarah wrote on Jul 14, 2008 12:45 PM:

    " It sounds like Diane Woodruff is judge and jury and the mayor is already guilt of her crime so why are you folks just not doing what Diane Woodruff is telling you. It sounds like to me that someone Diane Woodruff is the only one who thinks she knows anything and that everyone else is stupid. Maybe she should be your next Mayor and then she what kind of fix you get into.. "

    councils role wrote on Jul 13, 2008 8:30 PM:

    " The city councils role is legislative not administrative, this is a farce. Woodruff does not understand her role as a council member just like she didn't as a planning commish. "

    law student wrote on Jul 13, 2008 5:46 PM:

    " Censure is a procedure for publicly reprimanding a public official for inappropriate behavior not an employee. Woodruff can only censure her own - another Council member. "

    candycoated wrote on Jul 13, 2008 5:43 PM:

    " doesn't the City of Wasilla code state that the Council has no discipline action over the employees other than those in the Clerk's office? won't the Council be breaking their own code/law by trying to censure current employees? it sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen especially if they try to censure someone who is no longer working for the City. "

    Easy now wrote on Jul 13, 2008 3:52 PM:

    " The players in this mess will get their due as we are a city, state and nation of laws. But, where in city code, state statue or administrative code are employees allowed to be censured? Methinks the Andres blood shark may be overstepping her authority. (Careful Dianne or you may be sharing a cell with the other Dianne.) Perhaps the Frontiersman could enlighten the reader as to what authority Woodruff is citing as her legal basis for censure. And why is it Woodruff is the only one screaming for blood in the newspapers? What's her connection to the Windbreak? "

    its time wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:06 AM:

    " clean house. "

    wasilla_blogzilla wrote on Jul 13, 2008 5:53 AM:

    " Where has Wasilla gone wrong? Unrestricted development has resulted in an addiction to tax collection, namely , the revenue generated by the big box stores and other chain businesses popular outside. While there is nothing wrong with these businesses per se, this unrestrained addiction will never catch Wasilla up in the area of infrastructure development which will result in traffic problems and other messes affecting the quality life in this once pristine town. To have agents of the city conspiring against established businesses to feed this addiction is unexcusable. "

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