January

•  Chief King Resigns: An Opinion

I realize that Ms. Jones had been doing temporary duty on the West Coast but I never realized that Human Resource procedures in the West were so vastly different than here in the real world.

We have all heard that our Chief of Police King resigned from his position. Now in all of the years that I have been a manager in the corporate world if someone resigned it was usually to move on to a better job somewhere else. The HR manager would prepare a packet of paperwork for the individual resigning to complete. The employee clears off their desk, gives a hi-five to all of his friends and co-workers, gets a hearty send off from the boss, and normally meets co-workers after work for a send off drink.

Now I have seen hundreds of people resign for many reasons. However; never ever did one ever get escorted from the building by two State Troopers. West Coast resignations are tough!

This entire matter smells like a week old Cod fish. Could Chief King have been plotting a coup? Not likely, but deposing our rookie City Manager would be worth considering. Now the Council is not going to do a search but instead let a novice hire our next Chief? I can understand their reluctance to do a national search again since they bungled the last one. Did the Council roll over and die? Who is running the show? Who is on first?

The citizens of Gaithersburg have the right to know and should demand answers from the Council, now!

—Wilson Faris
Gaithersburg, Md. 20878

•  Response to Chief of Police Job Questions

There seems to be some confusion, or jumping to conclusions about the City's search for a new Police Chief.  Details of the process, including opportunities for public input will be announced as soon as it is finalized in the upcoming week.  The position announcement and job description are available on the City's website.  Additional advertising has been placed on the following websites: International Associate of Chiefs of Police, International City/County Management Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, The Washington Post (classifieds as well), and the Maryland Municipal League.  In addition, advertising will be distributed by Email or weekly bulletins by these organizations: National League of Cities, Maryland Municipal League, Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and the Maryland Sheriffs Association. Individuals with questions, suggestions, or comments about this process are encouraged to contact the City Manager or any elected official of their choosing.

—Cathy Drzyzgula
City Council Vice President