Severance for Sterbank

Why are we providing severance payments to employees, especially to Mr. Sterbank? City Manager Conrad says severance payments “end the issues surrounding an employee.” What does this really mean? It means “hush money.” It forecloses anyone from knowing the cause-and-effect of the severance. Sterbank’s hire was encouraged by former Assistant City Manger Lori Lindell. Once Lindell blew the whistle on City Manager Conrad’s alleged sexual harassment of a city employee, she was “gone with the wind.” If the $137,000 paid to Sterbank, Lindell’s friend, doesn’t reek of payola, then my sniffer dog is on the wrong scent. As is every City Council member who encouraged such an outrageous severance settlement under the guise of “saving” the city money. Look in the mirror, City Councilmembers, and search for ethics. That is, if you know what they are.

October 21, 2008 5:44 pm

Why are we providing severance payments to employees, especially to Mr. Sterbank? City Manager Conrad says severance payments “end the issues surrounding an employee.” What does this really mean? It means “hush money.” It forecloses anyone from knowing the cause-and-effect of the severance. Sterbank’s hire was encouraged by former Assistant City Manger Lori Lindell. Once Lindell blew the whistle on City Manager Conrad’s alleged sexual harassment of a city employee, she was “gone with the wind.” If the $137,000 paid to Sterbank, Lindell’s friend, doesn’t reek of payola, then my sniffer dog is on the wrong scent. As is every City Council member who encouraged such an outrageous severance settlement under the guise of “saving” the city money. Look in the mirror, City Councilmembers, and search for ethics. That is, if you know what they are.

Jean Majury