I wonder now if I wasted my time in school studying economics when I could have taken courses in real-time politics, as exhibited by ADN reports of Stephen Jellie, Palmer’s quick-exit city manager. Not only did he get a $75,000 severance payment from the City of Palmer, but “earlier this year, he received $75,000 as part of a resignation agreement in Teton County, Wyoming, where he served as fire chief " and, in late 2022, he received $50,000 to resign as city manager of Ogdensburg, New York. He also finagled a separation agreement that “blocks officials from sharing with any of his potential future employers details of Jellie’s resignation or brief but tumultuous tenure as Palmer’s administrative leader” tossed into the bargain. Is that legal?
Ogdensburg officials are prohibited from disclosing anything that could “negatively reflect” on Jellie’s character or employment, per his buyout agreement, and a request for a copy of his separation agreement with Teton County was denied by a county clerk, citing employee privacy.
What sleight of hand. Set ‘em up. Who’s next? That’s what I call slick politics. Next stop: the White House?
— Ken Green
Cooper Landing
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