This is the first letter I have been compelled to write to the editor. I have three questions to ask.

1. Was the city manager not informed of what his duties would be at the time he was hired? If he was, why does he now need an assistant to do a large portion of these duties? A number of years ago it was decided to hire a human resources person instead of an assistant city manager. Has the manager’s job changed that much that we now need both?

2. The city hired Allmont & Associates to do a study on the future of the fire department. It was its recommendation to hire a full-time fire chief and to not have a public safety director along with a deputy chief of police and a deputy fire chief as this would be an extra expenditure of $152,000 and additional training for the public safety director. Was there something wrong with having a fire chief and a police chief or was there just a need to have three people doing the job that two could handle? Why do we spend thousands of dollars for these studies if we don’t listen to their recommendation?

3. Was there really a need to vacate the Parks and Recreation Department director position? In the 33 years I worked for the city, I never saw an employee treated the way Jay Hutchison was. He ran the department very well, and I believe the community had something to be proud of in its parks and the recreation program that Jay administered. From what I hear, Jay and his family are leaving town, and I for one don’t blame him. I have lost all respect for the administration including the council for allowing this to happen.

 

Richard E. Sydnes, retired fire chief, Albert Lea Fire Department

Albert Lea