I’ve been following the saga of the personnel issues at the city of La Center, reported Dec. 13 “La Center planner criticizes superiors.” I know two people involved: Former interim Police Chief Erin Nolan and planner Dale Miller. Nolan investigated allegations of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment, and recommended a thorough investigation. That is now in progress. Miller left his job, as did others, because of the same issues. The question here is who allowed this to get to such a sad state? Why is the city structured so that an employee has no one to talk to but their supervisor? Why cannot the mayor and council intervene? In a mayor form of government, it’s the mayor’s job to address personnel issues.
As a director at Clark County, I worked with both Nolan and Miller. Both of them have my complete confidence and respect. I can understand why Miller left his job. As a colleague, I appreciated his demeanor and his work ethic. My advice is for him to move on to a better work experience with better people. At the end of the day the investigation will detail what is wrong and who is culpable. But the fact is it should never have gone so awry and occurred with no oversight.
Richard H. Carson
Hockinson
