ASSEMBLY CHAIR TO CUT ASSEMBLY STAFF

At a hastily called noon meeting of the Anchorage Assembly on Wednesday, August 31, 2005, Chair Anna Fairclough announced plans to terminate two Assembly staff members and move the remaining two into the City Clerk’s office.

Fairclough’s “reorganization” plan instantly drew sharp criticism from Assembly members Pamela Jennings and Allan Tesche who saw no reason to slash almost one half of the small city office which supports legislative and budget functions of the Assembly. Pressed to justify her action, Fairclough said only that the staff cuts would actually reduce lines of communication between Assembly leadership and staff and help her schedule appointments. She also said the scheme would resolve a salary tiff in the City Clerk’s Office and allow her to cut $120,000 from the Assembly budget.

Staff support to the Assembly members and the public on legislative matters is now provided by Elvi Gray-Jackson, Joy Pantaleon, Mike Gutierrez, and Susan Lutz. Fairclough refused to say exactly who would lose their jobs or how the two remaining staff would maintain current services to the public. Assembly members expressed concern that Assembly agendas are getting backlogged and that Assembly leaders are having trouble keeping up with Mayor Mark Begich.

A last minute effort by Fairclough to take the Assembly into executive session to discuss the individuals involved failed when she refused to identify them publicly. Municipal Attorney Fred Bonness ruled the proposed secret session illegal. State law permits executive sessions to discuss matters that may “tend to prejudice the reputation and character of any person, provided the person may request a public discussion”.