Staff turnover at city of Wasilla explained

To the editor:

In Sunday’s edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, Diane Woodruff, candidate for Wasilla mayor, commented on the turnover rate of city employees.

I found this comment somewhat amusing since, it is my understanding, that in the 2008 election she supported Verne Rupright for mayor and had a “hit list” of employees that should be fired that included myself.

Her comment also had factual errors. In human resources, Marilyn Frankel had notified the city in advance that when her husband retired they were moving back to Florida. Gwen Brew was hired and working before Rupright took office. Brew’s husband was retired and she decided to retire to deal with family health issues, both in and out of Alaska.

Her assistant, who had worked for the city of Wasilla for three years, accepted the top position and then took a better paying job elsewhere.

The police chief position also needs to be explained. Wasilla Municipal Code lists six employees who are at-will, that a new mayor can hire his or her own team.

After the departure of the chief, there was an acting chief promoted from within. Under union rules, if an employee is promoted to a position outside the bargaining unit for more than six months, he or she loses seniority. The acting chief went back to his previous position.

Dickerson, interim chief, was not hired by the city. The city contracted with a Seattle search firm to supply an interim chief while a search for a new chief was conducted. The city paid the search firm, which paid Larry Dickerson. The city hired Mike Hughes as chief. After his employment with the city ended, the city hired Gene Belden.

Marvin L. Yoder

Retired interim deputy administrator for

the city of Wasilla