Monroe loses two city officials

Published 10:47 pm Monday, April 5, 2010

MONROE — Two unexpected departures from public office last week are shaking up City Hall.

Community development director Hiller West was fired from his post on Friday, while City Councilman David Kennedy resigned for unrelated reasons on March 30, Monroe officials said.

Now, the city needs to find replacements for both men during an already difficult year.

“Change is stressful,” Councilman Tony Balk said. “Especially presently.”

The city has continued struggling this year with a tight budget, brought on in large part by declining revenues. That has left city officials worried about everything from internal staffing to multimillion-dollar land deals.

West, who was unavailable for comment, was working on some of those deals.

He joined the city in November 2000 as community development director. In that post, he worked on developing business along N. Kelsey Street.

He aided negotiations with a Seattle developer, Sabey Corp., which this year may buy 24 acres of land from the city for $9.6 million to bring a big-box store to town.

Mayor Robert Zimmerman said the decision to let West go was difficult but necessary.

Zimmerman, who took office in January, said he did not fire West for politically motivated or budgetary reasons. He said he wants the city to improve its customer service and enhance the community on the whole.

“There was change necessary to achieve that goal,” Zimmerman said.

He said it could take about two months to find a replacement for West, who would have made $108,456 this year.

Zimmerman didn’t expect any projects would be fumbled in the meantime.

“The staff that we have here today is capable to fulfill any expectations the community might have,” he said.

Several City Council members on Monday said they were still gathering information about West’s firing, which may be discussed at tonight’s 7 o’clock City Council meeting.

“Obviously he and the mayor were not on the same page on some things,” Councilman John Stima said. “I don’t know what else. The mayor’s in charge of the staff. That was his call.”

Meanwhile, Kennedy decided to step down from his position on the council so he could spend more time with his wife and three children, city officials said.

Kennedy, 49, did not return calls for comment.

An attorney working in Monroe, Kennedy was appointed to the council in May 2007 after the resignation of Councilman Ken Berger.

The timing of his decision caught some by surprise. He ran unopposed for re-election in November.

Some on the council said Kennedy was spread thin by professional obligations, public office and his personal life.

“I had a feeling that maybe he wasn’t long for the position,” Councilman Kurt Goering said.

Kennedy was praised by his fellow council members, who called him a voice of reason with no hidden agendas.

“David’s presence on council will be sorely missed,” Zimmerman said.

The city may begin searching for Kennedy’s replacement this month, and within 90 days could name a successor to his remaining term.

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com.