Letters to the Editor: We should listen to the city workers about the mayor
Listen to city workers
To the editor:
Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. After nearly two years of a continuing staff exodus at city hall, the independent employee survey will finally reveal the truth with facts. While the mayor’s campaign donors have rushed to his defense, until recently, no one was willing to listen to the city employees. These tireless workers are front-line servants running the day-to-day operations. Without city staff, there is no city government or services.
During the 2016 mayoral election, we were in the final stages of building our house. We met regularly with managers and staff from most departments. The day after the election, the mayor elect appeared at city hall and met with the employees. Instead of getting to know them and learning what was working or needed fixing, he berated them and told them he was elected by a landslide. He threatened them saying he would be calling the shots and things would be different going forward.
Once into office, the mayor removed their authority, dismissed their recommendations and stripped their value as longstanding employees. He circumvented department heads and began to instruct staff directly. Staff became confused about whom they could talk to or get direction from.
In our meetings, it became clear staff was fearful for their jobs and many were planning an early retirement. I was distraught over how they were being treated. I sent an email to the city HR manager detailing my concerns. She wanted to know who I had talked to. I wasn’t comfortable divulging employee confidences and encouraged her to speak with staff. The next thing I knew, the HR manager left her job.
Yes, the mayor was elected to slow development and implement responsible growth but not at the expense of loyal and dedicated city employees. Yes, there is room for improvement in operations and customer service. It will require excellent training and leadership. I sincerely hope once the employee survey results are examined, the mayor will accept and embrace leadership coaching. The damage has been done and the trust has been lost. It’s the best path forward to build a healthy, vital and successful working environment. Let’s strive to create a great workplace culture for the City of Gig Harbor.
Elaine Hansch
Gig Harbor
Jesse’s a bully
To the editor:
This November we have a choice between meaningful political discourse and bullying & intimidation, right here in the 26th District. Incumbent Rep. Jesse Young has a clear record of the latter; in 2017 he was sanctioned for hostile behavior toward staff, even precluded from having contact with any legislative assistants.
In 2020 Young showed up at a Black Lives Matter rally in Gig Harbor with a gaggle of armed cronies bent on menacing the high school students who organized it. Yes, armed! It’s quite wrong to scare kids on purpose, is it not?
But either Jesse Young doesn’t learn from his mistakes or he doesn’t believe bullying our youth is a mistake. Whichever the case, Jesse Young’s values are questionable at best and he does not represent me. It is my hope that come November he’ll no longer represent the 26th at all. Vote Carrie Hesch.
Tara Longen
Gig Harbor
This story was originally published September 30, 2020 at 5:30 AM.