The good people at Anchorage Daily News republished an article from 2/1/97. Wasilla Keeps Librarian but Police Chief is Out. by Zaz Hollander and Rindi White.
Here’s a clip:
City librarian Mary Ellen Emmons will stay, but Police Chief Irl
Stambaugh is on his own, Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin announced Friday.
The decision came one day after letters signed by Palin were dropped on
Stambaugh’s and Emmon’s desks, telling them their jobs were over as of
Feb. 13.
The
mayor told them she appreciated their service but felt it was time for
a change. ”I do not feel I have your full support in my efforts to
govern the city of Wasilla. Therefore I intend to terminate your
employment …” the letter said.
Palin
said Friday she now feels Emmons supports her but does not feel the
same about Stambaugh.
As to what prompted the change, Palin said she now has Emmons’
assurance that she is behind her. She refused to give details about how
Stambaugh has not supported her, saying only that ”You know in your
heart when someone is supportive of you.”
…
Palin
said she asked Emmons if she would support efforts to merge the library
and museum operations. Emmons said she would, according to Palin.
…
Both Stambaugh and Emmons publicly supported Palin’s opponent,
long-time mayor John Stein during the campaign last fall. When she was
elected, Palin questioned their loyalty and initially asked for their
resignations.
…
Emmons, who has been the city’s library director for seven years, would not comment about the affair.
SINCE WHEN IS A CITY LIBRARIAN A POLITICAL APPOINTMENT?
We have gathered reports that Emmons was threatened to be fired because she wasn’t “loyal” enough to the mayor, Sarah Palin, most probably because Emmons refused to ban books for Palin!
THANKS MARGARET FOR THE LINK!
Unfortunately, in some places library jobs ARE treated as political spoils positions, to be doled out or taken away, “at will”, as the case may be. It depends, however, on the location and whether the library community tolerates such practices. I would find such to be unethical and unprofessional, though. It certainly doesn’t say much about the state of Civil Service in a locale, if it is tolerated.
re: since when is a city librarian a political appointment?
In the case of the city librarian being the library director, always.
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