Finney resigns, blasts Wilkeson administration

Published 1:10 pm Thursday, December 11, 2008

By Jessica Keller

The Courier-Herald

Wilkeson has an empty seat on its Town Council following the resignation of Councilwoman Jean Finney earlier this month.

Finney announced her resignation at the June 8 council meeting in a scathing letter addressed to Mayor Doug Paulson and the Town Council.

Finney, who has served two complete terms on the Town Council, first took office in 1995. She was re-elected for her third term in November of last year, and her resignation means council position No. 5 sits empty.

In her letter, Finney challenged both the effectiveness of the mayor and the council.

She stated in previous administrations with whom she has worked, and some she hasn't, the town boasted of several accomplishments, such as a sewer project, water assessment, street projects, a comprehensive plan and more. Despite that, she continued, " a small portion of Wilkeson residents have complained."

She went on to say, some current members of the administration do not work together, "and appear to be a one-man band."

She criticized Paulson on numerous topics, such as not generating grants, trying to fire her from the Finance Committee and Councilman Jim Walker from the council, and showing a lack of leadership.

"The Town Council has become a rubber stamp for you and certain employees," her letter said. "I do not believe Wilkeson can overcome your nonsensical policies."

She also stated in her letter she believes Paulson should temper his leadership attributes "with common sense instead of arrogance," and admit when he is wrong or unsure.

She concluded the letter by suggesting Paulson " take council with all the elected officials and give everyone the same information, as the mayor has no real legislative authority over the Town Council."

In response, Paulson disagreed with Finney's letter, and stated he was not surprised by either her resignation or accusations in her letter.

"That was just kind of how it went at the meetings," Paulson said, adding he didn't know if anything prompted her resignation other than what Finney stated in her letter.

Paulson challenged Finney's accusations about himself and the Town Council, stating they were either incomplete or false.

"No, nothing in there was true," he said.

Paulson said he and other council members have received grants, a few of them in limbo as the amount has yet to be determined, and added council members have built off of previous grants, obtained by people from other administrations, increasing the amount.

Paulson also said under his leadership, Wilkeson's budget has been brought under control after misspending by former administrations.

In her letter, Finney stated one thing Paulson did accomplish was to have the town spend $7,500 to deliver sewer lines to his property.

Paulson said the state auditor has reviewed accusations that he misused his authority and have found them to be false. He said his house was grandfathered in to previous clauses of the town that allowed him to receive sewer, just like other citizens of the town. And, Paulson stated, if the sewer lines had been brought to his property all along, he would have been paying sewer bills just like other citizens of the town.

As for Finney's resignation, Paulson does not expect it to slow things down in Wilkeson and he is looking forward to rebuilding the council.

"I'm looking forward to working with a new council member, and hopefully this person will have an understanding of community issues and government policies and have a positive attitude toward working together for the good of the town," Paulson said in a formal statement.

Paulson hadn't received any letters of interest from citizens applying for Finney's vacant position as of Friday, but he said a couple of people have spoken to him about the position.

Interested citizens had until yesterday to submit a letter of interest to the town. As mayor, Paulson will recommend one of those candidates for the job, subject to Town Council approval. The new council member chosen will then be on the November ballot for voter approval to finish out Finney's term.

Jessica Keller can be reached at jkeller@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald