The Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s emergency services director has resigned in a fiery, accusatory letter to the borough.
Paul “Otto” Feather’s tenure of just under two years came to an end with a letter earlier this month to Mat-Su Borough Manager John Moosey. In the letter – obtained today by Alaska Public Media – Feather cited “organizational dysfunction … parochialism, selfishness and duplicity.” He says he could not accept, “unchecked sabotage by borough employees and Assembly members.”
Reached by phone today, Feather declined to speak further, saying the letter was intended only for the Borough Manager’s office.
“I want the best for the borough and the men and women who serve it,” Feather said.
Feather directed the borough’s response to the Magnitude 7.0 earthquake November 30th that caused widespread damage in the Mat-Su. He faced criticism – and took some blame – for a lack of public communication during the response.
In a letter back to Feather accepting his resignation, Moosey, the borough manager, praised Feather’s leadership, through the earthquake response, among other things. Moosey’s letter, also obtained today, did not address Feather’s complaints.
Moosey did not respond to a request for an interview in time for this broadcast. He has declined questions about Feather’s complaints, according to the Anchorage Daily News, which first reported this story.
Casey Grove is host of Alaska News Nightly, a general assignment reporter and an editor at Alaska Public Media. Reach him atcgrove@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Caseyhere.
