Ex-Tacoma City Manager Anderson got mostly positive emails after firing

Here’s a recent post from The News Tribune’s Political Buzz blog. For the inside scoop on government and politics, go to blog.thenewstribune.com/politics.

At 6:51 p.m. on July 12, moments after the Tacoma City Council voted to fire him, then-City Manager Eric Anderson sent out a mass-distributed email to the city’s general government staff under the subject line, “Message to Employees.”

In it, Anderson bid city staff farewell, thanking them for their “partnership over the last six years.” Anderson’s email drew a wave of responses, many of them expressing regret and sorrow for his firing and thanking him for his service and leadership.

“My heart is breaking,” city auditor Scottie Nix wrote. “Eric, you are one of the brightest, honorable, and greatest leaders in government. It has been the highest honor in my life to have worked for you.”

“To say this is shocking and unbelievable would be an understatement,” emailed Tory Green, the Fire Department’s medical services officer. “I am speechless.”

The emails, obtained by The News Tribune under a broader public records request submitted more than two months ago, were released last week. Some of the emails to Anderson directly questioned the City Council’s wisdom. Others applauded Anderson for helping to save city workers’ jobs during tough economic times (The city largely avoided lay-offs during Anderson’s tenure).

Anderson wrote personal responses back to most of the employees who emailed him, with few exceptions. To an email, his responses took the high-road, steering clear of any criticism or complaints about his firing. Instead, he largely praised individual employees for their work.

Among those who sent Anderson an email but didn’t get a written response was Councilman Marty Campbell, who voted to oust Anderson. Nonetheless, Campbell emailed to thank Anderson for “being a friend.” “You are an honor to your profession and a good person,” Campbell wrote.

Of the roughly 40 city employee emails sent to Anderson about his dismissal that so far have been released, just one criticized him.

Police officer Andrew Hankins, a sometimes fill-in for the department’s spokesman, Mark Fulghum, told Anderson:

“I personally do not feel you done anything in your time here that was consistent with developing a good relationship with the Tacoma Police Dept. I wish you the best but I am not upset that you are leaving. In the future you might attempt to tone down elitist attitude and your tenure might extend past six years at your next position.”

What exactly Anderson’s next position will be remains to be seen. At least one city already has contacted him about potential employment.

Two days after his firing in Tacoma, a consultant working for the City of Littleton, Colo., emailed Anderson to ask if he had interest in that city’s vacant city manager’s position.

Records show that Anderson, 65, whose severance with Tacoma paid him more than $261,000, did not respond to the message – at least by email. Lewis Kamb, staff writer