To the editor:
On September 14 four members of The Dalles City Council dismissed City Manager Nolan Young with no public discussion or explanation. The action was effective immediately. In the nearly two weeks since then no one, to my knowledge, has explained their action.
This is appalling.
Quite apart from the policy differences some council members had with the city manager, they should explain how The Dalles taxpayers were better off on September 15.
Apparently the city manager position was vacated with no thought to continuity. Normally City Attorney Gene Parker would serve as acting city manager. Was it astonishing insensitivity or ignorance that allowed councilors to take their action within hours of Dixie Parker’s death from cancer?
What other abrupt actions will Councilors Linda Miller, Russ Brown, Tim McGlothlin and Taner Elliot take with no public discussion or explanation?
What is Mayor Steve Lawrence’s role in this capricious action? What effect will this behavior have on efforts to attract a well-qualified new city manager?
Strong communities work together despite differences. Strong elected officials may seek to change the direction of city government, but to do so responsibly they must deliberate and communicate.
I see no evidence that Miller, Brown, McGlothlin and Elliot have done either. Their action weakens our community.
Sue Ann Arguelles
The Dalles
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