MAYOR SENDS TERMINATION LETTERS

By Chris Cook - Forks Forum editor

Three former Forks Police Department employees are preparing to file appeals to their firing last week by Forks Mayor Nedra Reed.

The three had been on administrative leave for unstated reasons. The letters were mailed out Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Forks Police Chief Mike Powell isn’t commenting on the issue.

A no-confidence vote was taken against Powell in May 2007 by members of the Forks Police Department, a vote reported to have been organized by Dematteis. The former dispatcher is saying her firing is a result of recrimination for leading that effort.

In addition, City of Forks Attorney/Planner Rod Fleck held internal investigations on complaints of sexual harassment by Powell and about his discipline and hiring practices. Fleck’s investigations were held in April and June 2007.

Copies are expected to be released by mid-March of an investigation into the City of Forks Police Department undertaken in November by the Olympia-based Association of Washington Cities. The non-profit, non-partisan organization was formed in 1993 and represents city and town governments in Washington state. Their services include technical assistance in personnel and labor relations issues.

Following the hearings all city employees received mandatory training in “respect and professionalism” in the work place, and Powell was provided counseling on the same subject.

Reed said she made the right decision in firing the three. “I didn’t take the decision lightly,” Reed said Saturday. “There was a lot of deliberation.”

Reed said the former Forks officers and dispatcher are likely to file appeals through the Teamsters Union. The Teamsters represent non-management employees of the Forks Police Department.

They had the option of going through a civil service procedure, but chose the union.

Reed said it is likely the union will hold a grievance hearing within the next couple weeks.

An unanimous vote of confidence by the Forks City Council was given to Reed at the Monday, Feb. 25 council meeting in a measure introduced by Councilwoman Pat Mansfield.

Karleen Powell, the former wife of Mike Powell, is leading a recall effort to unseat Reed.

“I have absolutely nothing to hide, I have done nothing wrong,” Reed said of the recall effort aimed at her administration.

Full staffing of the Forks Police Department is seven officers, five dispatchers and a chief.

Posted March 5, 2008