Port of Port Angeles trying to be more efficient, director says in discussing firings of two longtime managers

PORT ANGELES – Monday’s termination of two longtime port employees was part of a larger effort to streamline the agency and focus its efforts on marketing and economic development, said Executive Director Bob McChesney on Wednesday.

“What we’re really trying to do is streamline our administration, consolidate operations and create the highest efficiency, so we can move forward with our strategic plan,” he said.

“We want to be a leader in economic development,” McChesney said.

“We have to do a better job of marketing and outreach and reach beyond Clallam County to build relationships and do a better job of recruiting businesses.

“We have nothing really to hide. We’re just trying to get our work done,” he said.

Two longtime Port of Port Angeles employees, Planning Manager Susan Bauer and Properties Manager Pat Deja, were terminated Monday when they arrived at work.

Port commissioner John Calhoun of Forks said the move was the result of extensive review.

Bauer had worked for the port for nine years and Deja for almost 10.

Deja was making $84,361 a year and Bauer was making $66,099 a year.

McChesney emphasized the port took “necessary business precautions” to protect proprietary information such as observing the cleaning out of desks and accompanying the employees throughout the building as they left.

But both employees handled the incident “very well” and did not need to be escorted off the premises, he said.

“We treated those two with every dignity and professional courtesy that was well-deserved,” McChesney said.

“We were as dignified and professional as possible. We gave them the full measure of dignity and professional respect.”

McChesney said he personally notified both the city of Port Angeles and Clallam County Economic Development Council following exit interviews conducted with Bauer and Deja.

More in News

Port Angeles teachers’ union votes to honor paraeducators’ picket line on April 8

Members of the Port Angeles Education Association voted overwhelmingly… Continue reading

Funding needed for Port Townsend homeless shelter

Operation at Legion Hall to close April 30

Port of Port Angeles renews lease for Composite Recycling Technology Center

Agreement covers 26,000 square feet at airport business park

Fire district volunteers lauded

Clallam County Fire District No. 3 recently recognized seven members… Continue reading

Clallam to continue providing deputy to Forks

Contract includes wages, mileage and maintenance reimbursement

Maintenance closes section of Olympic Discovery Trail

A portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail is closed… Continue reading

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif., members of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and working with the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Board, remove poisonous hemlock weed from along the Larry Scott Trail in Port Townsend on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Poison hemlock removal in Port Townsend

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif.,… Continue reading

YMCA to build childcare facility

$1-2M still needed for $6.7M project

Port Townsend Police Department recognizes award recipients

The Port Townsend Police Department recognized officers, employees, volunteers… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School evacuated due to bomb threat

Nothing suspicious found, principal says

A tree that has grown out of its tree box and shattered a nearby curb and sidewalk in the 100 block of North Oak Street is among those targeted for removal and replacement in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles tree and sidewalk replacement to begin Monday

The Port Angeles downtown tree and sidewalk replacement project… Continue reading

Grant for Forks treatment plant to be discussed

The Clallam County Opportunity Fund Advisory Board will discuss… Continue reading