I’ve noticed a lot of letters from people I never heard of (and I’ve lived here for more than 50 years), protesting the firing of the most recent borough manager. Prior to this firing, the previous assembly saw fit to fire a retired, flag ranked U.S. Coast Guard officer. While serving, he had been the commander at the Kodiak USCG air station, directly responsible for several hundred uniformed members and civilian employees not to mention tens of millions of dollars of U.S. government equipment and property to include high dollar rescue helicopters. Over qualified? To be sure. He was also the only Alaska Native to attain such a high position of Admiral and also be qualified to fly those rescue helicopters. I thought he was a good manager. I liked him. I felt his firing smacked of racism.

That same assembly refused to fund Bill Thomas as our lobbyist, also a successful Alaska Native. One of the assembly members in an incredible, foul tirade was heard calling Mayor Jan Hill all sorts of wicked invectives. Jan too is an Alaska Native and a very popular Mayor.

Draw your own conclusions. A borough manager answers to the assembly. She too must submit to management. I think the tie vote for her dismissal was a set up. This put our Mayor squarely in the cross-hairs of those who would seize power at any cost. You will not succeed.

Terrance Pardee