Heads roll at MEA

PALMER — For months now, people watching the Matanuska Electric Association have predicted an axe would drop. Monday it finally did.

A vote of the co-op’s board of directors decided not to extend the contract of General Manager Wayne Carmony. The board’s attorney Robin Brena was tasked with coming up with a resolution firing Carmony for cause and entering negotiations with him on the termination of his employment, said MEA spokeswoman Lorali Carter.

Also on the block Monday were Tuckerman Babcock and Bruce Scott. Babcock is an assistant general manager, Scott is the co-op’s director of Information Technology.

Carter said both were given notice of their termination and then suspended with pay for the remainder of their employment.

In an e-mail, Babcock described Scott as a 25-year employee and noted that his firing, coincidentally, came on his 60th birthday.

As for his own termination, Babcock wrote, “Since the effect was immediate last night, I am unable to process any sort of responsible transition.”

Carter said another motion of the board limited Carmony’s power.

In summary, she said, “He doesn’t have the authority to enter into any staff contracts with any of his executive salary staff.”