SEQUIM — It wasn’t hard to tell Pat Clark was upset when he appeared before the Sequim City Council on Monday night.
Clark is a frequent participant in the public-comment periods, speaking about Sequim’s increasing light pollution and other issues.
On Monday, he expressed support for the council’s goal of establishing Sequim as a “solar center,” then reminded council members about the ongoing food drive for the Sequim Food Bank, with its donation barrel inside the Transit Center at 190 W. Cedar St.
‘Deeply disturbed’
Then he paused.
“The last thing is one of most difficult things I’ve had to talk to the council about,” Clark said. “I am deeply disturbed.”
What Clark cannot understand is how the City Council can sit by after City Manager Steve Burkett’s recent decision to replace Police Chief Bob Spinks.
Clark said Spinks, who at 51 has been chief for five years, has given his job “a herculean effort.”
“He’s never home,” added Clark, who lives near the chief. “He’s always out doing something on behalf of the city.
“Maybe nobody else wants to get up here and say this,” Clark added, looking at the audience behind him. “I am disappointed” in Burkett and in the council for letting a dedicated member of the city staff go.
A few people applauded as Clark left the podium.
The council members said nothing in response, and Clark left the chambers.
In an interview Tuesday morning, Mayor Ken Hays said he supports Burkett’s decision to make a change.
The chief, whose final day on the job is Friday, said the city manager asked him to “look for greener pastures” back in March.
And though he said his preference is to find law enforcement work on the North Olympic Peninsula, Spinks has sought employment with the Lebanon, Ore., Pullman and West Richland police departments.
Severance pay
Meantime, the city reached a settlement with Spinks that will guarantee him $31,044 in severance pay, plus an extra month’s salary for a total of $38,236 if he doesn’t find other work by Oct. 1.
Hays, for his part, said he “appreciates [Clark’s] emotions.”
But this isn’t about whether Spinks is a good guy or not, the mayor added. Burkett’s decision was “principles-based,” Hays said.
Spinks’ departure is a personnel matter, Hays added; he declined to elaborate, except to say that it was not simply a personality clash between the city manager and police chief.
“Steve is trying to elevate the city to another level of operation,” Hays said.
He backs Burkett, who considers Spinks a high-caliber professional though not a good match for Sequim’s needs.
Starting Saturday, Sequim Police Lt. Sheri Crain will be interim chief of police.
Meanwhile, Burkett said he’s still looking for candidates for permanent chief; the salary range of $80,000 to $106,000 and other details about the position are at www.ci.Sequim.wa.us.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
