The Anchorage Assembly voted on Tuesday to take on the Mayor’s administration Dave Bronson to force the public release of documents relating to the former health director Joe Gerace.
It’s the latest occurrence in the escalating scandal that first surfaced in August of last year, when Alaska Public Media and American Public Media revealed the fact that Gerace had created fake portions on his CV, such as his military experience as well as professional qualifications. Gerace was fired.
The lawsuit is in the midst of a myriad of problems within the Bronson administration, which includes an ongoing saga of executive who resign or are fired and toxic workplace accusations, misuse of city funds and indecent overreaches of executive authority.
“The Mayor’s administration is in flames. It’s burning.” Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance declared Tuesday, in a final push to request Bronson to again address the public the issues facing City Hall.
The Anchorage Assembly has for months sought answers from the administration of Bronson regarding how the lies of Gerace were not discovered. The meeting was held on Tuesday night. many Assembly members expressed their displeasure and dismayed at the situation even the Chief of Staff of the mayor Adam Trombley said he sympathized with the Assembly’s distrust issues with the administration.
“I can understand the scepticism of the executive branch. Trust me I’ve been there,” the former Anchorage Assembly member stated, before asking the Assembly to trust him in a separate issue.
Although Bronson tends to be a moderate, and most of the Assembly members are mostly progressive The Assembly’s criticism Tuesday night was focused on the lack of competence and declining faith in the leadership of his office.
Assembly member Kameron Perez Verdia said that the Bronson administration was “crumbling.” Then Mayor Bronson was asked: “Have you seriously considered resignation?”
“I haven’t considered quitting in any any way,” Bronson replied.
Bronson has been quiet regarding the succession of city executives quitting his administration as well as about the Gerace investigation. Bronson said that they’re personal matters which aren’t publically discussed as per the legal guidelines.
After Gerace was fired on August 15, Bronson made it clear that that there was going to take place an “in-depth and thorough investigation” into the hiring. In the months that followed, there was a going back and back and forth in between Assembly and the Mayor’s Office the mayor’s office, there was no information published. The final decision was the acting municipal attorney Blair Christensen said that without a court’s approval or a court order, making the documents public could violate the right to privacy, which is protected by law.
The investigation of the Assembly resulted in the Assembly taking the unheard of step: legally forcing witnesses of the city’s HR director during a closed session. The HR director Niki Tshibaka was able to comply with the order on Jan. 24 and was called back for the meeting on Tuesday however, the director resigned abruptly the following day.
LaFrance was not the usual agitated person when she addressed her mayor regarding the dispute – and general management issues that plague City Hall.
“We received promises of an investigation” LaFrance said of Gerace’s hire. “The public was assured of an investigation but we’ve never received anything. My husband and me decided to create Anchorage the home of our family, and we have decided to raise our children in the Anchorage area. The way it is treated this way is horribly painful and completely unnecessary. Yes I am irritated. Please forgive me however, this is difficult to handle Mr. Mayor. I’m not sure what you are doing. It’s as if you don’t care an ounce of concern for our community. Therefore, I believe it’s high an appropriate time to speak to us all and let us know what’s going on in the administration you run.”
The leadership of the Assembly, with advice of their own counsellor The administration could release documents related in Gerace’s investigation. Gerace investigation, possibly with redactions, and without risking a violation the privacy protections.
Bronson acknowledged that he could understand LaFrance’s emotions however, he didn’t discuss the content of her remarks.
“I could get all documents, no matter what, and it’s likely that the law department would deny,” Bronson said. “I can request that they be released. It doesn’t matter -I’m not sure We’ve dealt with these problems, Blair has, for more than an entire year. The solution will always be the same, and is always the same , in that it is a legal matter. I don’t know why you’re not aware of this.”
Assembly member Austin Quinn-Davidson called the Bronson investigation a sham. She claimed that there wasn’t any investigation.
“Here we are again, in the middle of our day in the presence of this Mayor,” the woman said.
The investigation is over, Assembly members again asked the mayor to speak out about the departure of senior executives from the administration and the claims of a toxic work atmosphere in City Hall. A former municipal manager Amy Demboski, who Bronson dismissed, wrote a harsh letter via an attorney earlier this month claiming a myriad of unlawful, sexist and illegal actions.
Bronson said to the Assembly that Bronson “thinks” that he’s prepared to convene a session on “the issues you read concerning in your media.”
“But also, we’re not discussing about this issue and HR issues in public,” Bronson said. “Past and present employees must be assured that their concerns or concerns with their employees aren’t going to be discussed publicly. That’s why I’ve been silence. I’ve repeatedly said it repeatedly I’ve informed that the Assembly that, and also stated to the media that and we’ll continue to that.”
The shadow of City Hall is affecting other activities that will be discussed at the Assembly. It was scheduled to vote on Tuesday on whether the controversial land deal to allow 60 acres in the City of Girdwood to allow a new housing development was able to be approved.
Assemblymember Meg Zaletel asked her colleagues to put off deciding for an indefinite period not because of disagreements on policy however, she said she’s doubtful of the ability of the administration to accomplish tasks that are in the administration’s own best interests.
“Firsthand reports of incompetence within the office of the mayor really do not inspire confidence that the current mayor’s administration will be able to implement the ordinance in a manner that has any impact,” Zaletel said. “I don’t believe Mayor Bronson will be able to bring all parties in concert to help bring the idea to the point of. I’m skeptical Mayor Bronson is able to even make this idea get off the starting point.”
She discussed the staffing issues that were burdening her.
“There currently is no official confirmation of the Heritage Land Bank director or director of real estate for more than an entire year,” Zaletel said. “We have an interim municipal manager. We have an interim municipal attorney. We also have an acting health director. The mayor is in his 4th chief of staff within 18 months. As of yesterday, we also have an interim human resources director.”
The Assembly was 7-5 in favor of putting off the vote indefinitely.
