Opinion: Time for fact-based and accurate reporting on City business

The Peninsula Gateway recently published several articles about Gig Harbor municipal business, where statements have been repeatedly made by reporters profiling the alleged behavior or actions of Mayor Kit Kuhn. These statements have included claims of high turnover in key senior staff, unsubstantiated comments by former employees and even a claim that employees located in the police department could hear the mayor from his office (even though the two are housed in separate buildings).

These statements were inaccurate, misleading and or false. I’ve served as Gig Harbor’s city administrator since January this year. In my tenure, Mayor Kuhn has not displayed the purported negative behaviors reported in these various articles.

My career in local government management spans four decades and includes 25 years as a city administrator or city manager, charged with the responsibilities of managing the day-to-day operations of all departments and functions including police, public works, community development, finance, human resources and support programs. This is the same role I now serve for the City of Gig Harbor organization.

While the authority for managing Gig Harbor’s day-to-day operations is vested with the mayor, the responsibility has been delegated by Mayor Kuhn to the city administrator. To this point, I want to address some of the statements that were printed in recent articles.

Complaints misdirected

All personnel actions are approved or recommended by the city administrator. The city’s employee unions have made complaints reported in an article aimed at the mayor on issues related to training requests and pay increases. Any employee or union complaint or grievance submitted to the city would have resulted from an action taken by the city administrator, not the mayor.

Another article stated that a program manager position allegedly was not offered to a candidate because of the candidate’s refusal of a request by the mayor. The real story is that we hired for that position (as we hire for all positions) based on merit; it was offered to and filled by the most qualified person.

Still another statement suggested that upwards of 20 key employees, including supervisors and department heads, have left the city since 2018 citing alleged behavior by Mayor Kuhn as the direct cause. This is false. The city has 16 department heads, program managers and higher-level supervisors and, of those, 11 of them remain with us, which is hardly a “mass exodus” as a recent headline claimed.

Over the years, I’ve served and worked closely with six mayors and dozens of council members. Each was a passionate public servant who strove to ensure the best interests of the community guided them in their actions and deeds.

Mayor Kuhn has worked tirelessly for Gig Harbor’s community, residents, businesses and constituents. The portrait of him as depicted in these articles is subjective and speculative at best. Our community deserves accurate and fact-based reporting from The Peninsula Gateway.

Robert Larson

Gig Harbor City Administrator

Editors note: The Gateway stands by its reporting. Mayor Kuhn was offered several opportunities to comment upon or refute the allegations made by employees or former employees, and each time declined.