News-Times Whidbey
LIVING: Festival of trees makes helpful matches. A10
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2012 | Vol. 113, No. 92 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢
Staff estimates mayor spent $470K in firings By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
The actual cost of Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley’s decision to fire a series of people in administrative positions is still a matter of dispute. Finance Director Doug Merriman gave a presentation about the costs to the city council last week, at the request of council members. He put the cost of firing the city administrator, fire chief, police chief and two city attorneys at $471,049, which included severance packages, interim employees’ salaries and recruiting efforts. The report didn’t include the costs associated with a lawsuit from the police chief, who claimed he was fired inappropriately. It could potentially be an expensive case. Dudley, on the other hand, said the cost was “negligible” to the beginning fund balance if savings from unfilled positions, uncollected fees and a fund reserved for severance payouts are factored in. He said the presentation added nothing new and was just meant to embarrass him. “It gave the council members the ability to get on a soapbox and express their frustration,” he said. Dudley came into office in January after campaigning as a reformer and vowing to fix problems he saw in city administration. He immediately fired the city administrator, the city attorney and the fire chief. He asked Police Chief Rick Wallace to retire in the summer, but later fired the chief after he decided not
to retire. Dudley hired Bill Hawkins, the former county prosecutor, as the city attorney and then promptly sacked him. The majority of council members have been very critical of Dudley over the firings, especially the high cost to the city. Last week’s presentation was the second time that council members asked for a report on how much the terminations have cost the city. Councilman Rick Almberg, a self-described fiscal conservative, has been particularly irked by the costs. In an interview this week, he said Dudley could have changed the administrative staff in a way that was much less expensive, less disruptive and more civil. “The mayor could have had his cake and eaten it too,” he said. Almberg said former City Administrator Paul Schmidt and former City Attorney Margery Hite offered to work with Dudley on a transition. The idea was that they would stay on while the mayor looked for replacements and they looked for new jobs. If it worked out, they would leave for new jobs, the city wouldn’t pay their giant severance packages and new people would be in their positions. In addition, former Fire Chief Mark Soptich had enough time in the job to retire this fall. Almberg suggested that Dudley could have negotiated his exit in a way that cost the city much less, but Dudley simply See COST, A4
Nathan Whalen/Whidbey News-Times
Swimmers Sydney Dickinson, Ella Schroeder, Olivia Tungate, Molly Vagt and Jillian Pape show signs of support for North Whidbey Aquatic Club coach Neil Romney and administrative assistant Vikki Robinson. Both were recently terminated from their positions with the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District.
Pool board stands by director By NATHAN WHALEN Staff reporter
Despite pleas from a group residents, the North Whidbey Park and Recreation Commission is standing by its executive director. In a marathon meeting that lasted nearly five hours Thursday night, commissioner Scott Vogt said the complaints brought against executive director Bill Walker weren’t enough to warrant removing him from his position. “I don’t see a reason to really do anything against the director right now,” Vogt said in front of a group of more than 50 people at the Oak Harbor Senior Center. Thursday night’s meeting had
been moved from the pool to the senior center because of the large number of people expected to attend. A significant group of patrons using the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool, which is owned and operated by the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District, were stunned by recent decisions to terminate the employment of North Whidbey Aquatic Club Coach Neil Romney and administrative assistant Vikki Robinson. Romney worked as coach for 10 years and Robinson worked for the district for four years. In the wake of those terminations, a litany of charges against Walker have been made by the former employ-
ees. Vogt lumped those allegations into four groups — lying on court documents stemming from an order of protection filed against a former employee, the swim club’s checking account and allegations that Walker created a hostile work environment and discriminated against employees. Vogt appeared flummoxed about how to respond to some of the charges, especially the lying allegation. “I don’t know what to do about these charges,” Vogt said. He noted that the park commission isn’t tasked with conducting a criminal investigation but did consult with the park district’s attorney
Cash 30 $233,500 In 5 & Prizes! *
Daily Prize Giveaways!
Weekly Cash & Prize Drawings!
4 Winners Each Day!
7 Winners Hourly! 2 - 8 pm
Nov. 27, 28 & 30, Dec. 1 – 5 & 7 – 12 WNT-ST
Earn Tickets Nov. 18 – Dec. 13
Winners !
who disagreed with the lying allegation. Such an invention is best done by law enforcement, he said. Vogt said Bill Walker reported to the state auditor’s office an issue concerning a checking account the swim team had operated outside the district’s purview. “If there’s any wrongdoing, the state auditor will advise us,” Vogt said. The commissioners are still looking at the
Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 & 13
See POOL, A8
Owned by Upper Skagit Indian Tribe
On I-5 at Exit 236 theskagit.com 877-275-2448
*Must be a Rewards Club Member – Membership is FREE! See Rewards Club Center for complete details. Must be present to win. Casino opens at 9 am daily. Must be 21 or older with valid ID.