The firing this week of John Calkins, Pacific's public safety director, creates an opportunity for the city council to appropriately restructure that division of the city.
About 12 years ago, after Howard Erickson was elected mayor, he persuaded the city to replace the position of Police chief with the position of a public safety director who would oversee police and fire duties. After filling that position with John Calkins, the city then backtracked and hired a fire chief, removing any salary savings that had been expected.
Mr. Calkin's salary swelled over the years to more than $100,000, even after The Regional Valley Fire Authority absorbed the city's fire department. Calkins continued to be addressed as police chief, even though the position no longer existed. Although a civilian, sometimes he wore a police uniform. Mr. Calkin's performance has been reflected on in previous blogs on this site.
This nonsense came to an end this week when Mayor Cy Sun terminated Mr. Calkins.
Now it's time for the city council to respond: Eliminate the position of public safety director and restore the position of police chief, establishing a salary apropriate for a town of 6,000. The council needs to act in good faith and tone down its animosity to mayor Cy Sun, who admittedly is aggravating in his own way. It's long past the time for amateur hour and cat fights to come to an end. Show the people you can work together, giving the mayor his due without sacrificing oversight, a key council responsibility.
The new vacancy provides an alternate opportunity: The council might consider whether there should be a regional police authority to match the regional fire authority. Auburn, Algona and Pacific might combine police functions for greater efficiency and cost savings.
Here's some perspective on Pacific's police department history: In 1975, Ronald Earwood, the police chief at that time, got a little too excited over two drunk and injured men who were awaiting an aid car, to the effect that they needed even more medical treatment and the city ended up with a $1.4 million lawsuit. That incident was the reason Mr. Erickson was first elected mayor in 1975.
About 15 years later, Pacific Police Chief Al Lee found himself in the center of controversy and was terminated. About 15 years later Public Safety Director John Calkins emerged as a controversial figure.
KOMO TV quoted Acting Police Chief Jim Pickett as saying "police chiefs come and go." That's putting it mildly. Some of Pacific's police chiefs have only gone after doing serious damage to the lives of Pacific residents and the reputation of the city. Pacific's elected officials don't seem to find the heart or the backbone to remind the police that they are not here to dominate, harrass and insult, but to serve and protect.
The regional fire authority seems to be working well. Maybe by having a regional police authority, the kind of turmoil that grips Pacific every 15 years could be a thing of the past.
And if the council isn't willing to handle this issue in a mature and deliberative manner and create a structure that works, then I fall back on my former suggestion: Maybe it's time to just give up and disincorporate.
This nonsense came to an end this week when Mayor Cy Sun terminated Mr. Calkins.
Now it's time for the city council to respond: Eliminate the position of public safety director and restore the position of police chief, establishing a salary apropriate for a town of 6,000. The council needs to act in good faith and tone down its animosity to mayor Cy Sun, who admittedly is aggravating in his own way. It's long past the time for amateur hour and cat fights to come to an end. Show the people you can work together, giving the mayor his due without sacrificing oversight, a key council responsibility.
The new vacancy provides an alternate opportunity: The council might consider whether there should be a regional police authority to match the regional fire authority. Auburn, Algona and Pacific might combine police functions for greater efficiency and cost savings.
Here's some perspective on Pacific's police department history: In 1975, Ronald Earwood, the police chief at that time, got a little too excited over two drunk and injured men who were awaiting an aid car, to the effect that they needed even more medical treatment and the city ended up with a $1.4 million lawsuit. That incident was the reason Mr. Erickson was first elected mayor in 1975.
About 15 years later, Pacific Police Chief Al Lee found himself in the center of controversy and was terminated. About 15 years later Public Safety Director John Calkins emerged as a controversial figure.
KOMO TV quoted Acting Police Chief Jim Pickett as saying "police chiefs come and go." That's putting it mildly. Some of Pacific's police chiefs have only gone after doing serious damage to the lives of Pacific residents and the reputation of the city. Pacific's elected officials don't seem to find the heart or the backbone to remind the police that they are not here to dominate, harrass and insult, but to serve and protect.
The regional fire authority seems to be working well. Maybe by having a regional police authority, the kind of turmoil that grips Pacific every 15 years could be a thing of the past.
And if the council isn't willing to handle this issue in a mature and deliberative manner and create a structure that works, then I fall back on my former suggestion: Maybe it's time to just give up and disincorporate.
Interesting that even the City Council had to find out about this from news media. Did it slip the Mayor's mind at Monday night's Council meeting?
ReplyDeleteIs Pacific so dangerous that people can't identify themselves when they speak up? Who are you afraid of, Anonymous?
DeleteWho cares, how it was done. If someone thinks he is above the law we are in trouble and if he is the police chief, we are in serious trouble. Please no regional police dept. The valley regional fire dept costs a lot of money just take a look at your property taxes
ReplyDeleteSorry to say but our fire dept was better. Pickett is a good and honset man maybe he should be police chief You want regional police and fire dept why have a city of Pacific, just let Auburn or Sumner take us over and no more of this small town B.S.
Thanks