News-Times Whidbey
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2012 | Vol. 113, No. 64 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢
Council, mayor battle over unfilled jobs
What a night out
Night Out enjoyed by all of Oak Harbor By REBECCA OLSON Staff reporter
As children partook in games and families enjoyed interactive booths at Oak Harbor’s annual National Night Out event Tuesday, the partnership between the community, Navy and law enforcement agencies was lighthearted but reinforced. Fun games, prizes and a life-like SWAT dummy certainly ramped up the excitement for children. “It’s about police and community partnerships and safety and resources available to families in the community,” said Cathy Niiro, executive director of United Way of Island County and vendor manager for the event. Often, the community only sees law enforcement members and firefighters taking care of the community by handling problems. At National Night Out, families can chat with them and get to know them, and children can enjoy activities and demonstrations by the agencies. “It went great. We had lots of families and lots of kids who enjoyed the games,” said Amy Melquist, funds See Night, A4
By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Emmanuel Rios
Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Mark Alvarez explains a M240B machine gun mounted on a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) to Katelyn Leavell, 6, while taking part in an exhibit at National Night Out Aug. 7.
The city of Oak Harbor currently has a whopping 24 unfilled positions, which has raised the ire of City Council members who are upset about Mayor Scott Dudley’s leadership. The concerns led to an odd skirmish during a meeting Wednesday at which council members discussed a possible hiring freeze because of the perceived fiscal emergency and then passed a motion aimed at forcing the mayor to fill administrative positions expediently. Dudley argued that the council’s actions were nonsensical and purely political, especially since interim leaders are currently filling the administrative positions and thereby saving the city a great deal of money. “If they are truly concerned about the city’s finances, why identify the city administrator and police chief as priorities to be filled when you already have excellent people in those positions?” Dudley said in an interview
after the meeting. Moreover, the council’s actions may be in conflict with state law, which gives mayors hiring and firing authority. Dudley said he checked with Municipal Research and Services Center and was told that the council did, in fact, overstep its bounds. Yet several council members blamed the city’s predicament squarely on Dudley, who fired several key figures and is accused of creating a hostile environment that forced others to flee. City Engineer Eric Johnston gave his notice this week, joining a long list of departing city officials. City Clerk Connie Wheeler has handed in her letter of resignation, as has Karen Crouch, the city administrator’s executive assistant. Police Lt. John Dyer has taken a job in See Council, A7
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