Enumclaw city parks director abruptly leaves position

Larry Fetter, who headed Enumclaw’s Parks and Recreation Department for approximately five years, resigned abruptly June 9.

City Administrator Mike Thomas said Fetter submitted a letter of resignation, effectively immediately.

Rumors have circulated that Fetter was at odds with those at City Hall, but Thomas said the sudden resignation was not due to any pressure from the administrative level. “He was not terminated,” Thomas said. “There was no trouble that I know of. I’m surprised.”

Councilman Mike Ennis was surprised, too. He believed Fetter was doing a good job with the department.

“I can say with 100 percent certainty that the mayor gave Larry the choice to either resign or be fired,” Ennis stated in an e-mail. “Obviously he chose to resign. I do not know why he was forced out.

“During his five years, Larry completely turned things around with the golf course and the pool. And winning Creation Fest also put the Expo Center on the road to self sufficiency, which has been a long time goal of the City Council.”

Telephone calls Thursday and Friday to Mayor Liz Reynolds were not returned as of Monday afternoon.

With a busy summer season coming up, Fetter’s departure places a heavy load on those left behind.

“It definitely puts a crimp on us as administration,” Thomas said, noting that he will dedicate time to Parks and Recreation and other city departments will pitch in where they can.

There will be no shuffling of duties within Parks and Recreation, Thomas said. “Frankly, they all have too much to do,” to take on other assignments, he added.

Thomas said the city will begin advertising the vacancy. The entire process, he said, takes two to three months.

Contact Enumclaw Courier Herald Senior Writer, Editor Kevin Hanson at editor@courierherald.com or 360-802-8205.

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