More questions, few answers over chief's suspension

Dec. 19, 2006

By MARY AMES

Frontiersman

WASILLA - A Monday night meeting at Central Mat-Su Fire Station provided more questions and bared some frustrations over the suspension of fire chief Jack Krill Jr., but yielded few answers.

The Wasilla-Lakes Fire Service Area board of supervisors met with John Duffy, Mat-Su Borough manager. A good part of the first hour revolved around the borough's decision to put Krill on administrative leave. The board had questions, and for the most part got only one answer out of Duffy: It's a personnel matter.

The announcement that Krill, 31, had been put on administrative leave by Duffy was made near the end of November. The investigation began in late October, according to information from the borough.

While he said he could appreciate the borough's responsibility, and fully understood the necessity of keeping personnel matters confidential, board member Dan Tucker said he had a question.

&#8220Why would you not consider telling the board before the suspension so we wouldn't be blind-sided without notice?” Tucker said. &#8220Dennis Brodigan called Ken Slausen after the fact, and Ken called me.”

Duffy conceded that point.

&#8220It should have been done,” Duffy said. &#8220I'll take responsibility.”

Slausen asked what the investigative process involved, what the status of the investigation was, and why things were taking so long.

Duffy said the borough was following standard human resources procedures in the matter, although Krill's suspension wasn't the only thing the HR department was working on. The manager might have had other commitments, and might have to investigate other things, Duffy said.

&#8220A man's reputation and career are in the balance,” Slausen said. &#8220Delay has its own element of fairness. This should be the most important thing. Why not hire someone else if Patricia (Von Ah) is busy?”

Duffy asked how Slausen knew that hadn't been done.

&#8220That's a false assumption,” Duffy said.

Duffy said that, while there is no written process, the procedures the borough follows are universally understood, much the way engineers know the standard procedures for

building a bridge. After Slausen said it might be helpful to hear more details of the process, Duffy provided a four-step procedure.

An allegation is made, Duffy said, then an investigator talks to the person who makes the allegation, talks to the person about whom the allegation is made, and then makes a decision.

But as an investigation proceeds, he said, new complaints and allegations surface.

Slausen asked whether there was a way for the borough had to close the matter, not just keep it open, with people throwing mud until something sticks.

&#8220What keeps a person from making a false allegation?” he said.

&#8220Nothing,” Duffy said. &#8220But we take it seriously.”

Tucker said he knew of three situations investigated by human resources, and the mud eventually did stop.

&#8220I don't have a lily-white view of HR,” Tucker said. &#8220It can be a very dark and gray process.”

Duffy said he expected the investigation to be complete in 10 days to two weeks, and as borough manager, he would only contact the board if Krill were to be terminated.

&#8220If it reaches termination, I come to you for advice,” Duffy said. &#8220I can't say how much input the board would have.”

When Slausen asked whether the board should schedule a meeting, Duffy said he shouldn't jump to conclusions.

&#8220If it gets to that point, we would need advice from the attorney's office,” Duffy said. &#8220If we do it at all.”

Slausen said the borough's actions have had a negative impact, impeding Krill from recruiting a summer intern, possibly reducing the &#8220bang for the buck” people get from their fire service area and tarnishing the borough's image and reputation in the eyes of the public.

&#8220It gets to be a less and less attractive place to work,” Slausen said.

Contact Mary Ames at

352-2284 or mary.ames@

frontiersman.com.