Special Session: Chris Rhoden ousted by Commissioner Hadarah Kerry in a 2 to 1 vote
Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com
At a special meeting Monday morning, the Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) commissioners voted two to one to fire utility general manager Chris Roden.
Voting in favor were Commissioners Mike Hadler and Michael Kelly. Commissioner Ed Rothlin voted against a motion to fire his Roden, who was hired in 2018 after serving in another managerial position for hours and utilities while working at the Cowlitz County PUD. .
Kelly has moved to terminate his contract with Roden “without cause”.
“Of course, this motion will pass. added as …Further action and next steps begin tomorrow. ”
Asked about his motivation for Monday’s vote, Hadaller said, “We’re just working on new things.”
Asked if he was considering replacing Roden, the commissioner declined to provide additional comment before the Chronicle’s Monday afternoon press deadline, but will provide more information at Tuesday morning’s regular business meeting. said to be available.
Roden was voted in by former Commissioner Ben Kostic, who was ousted by Kerry in the 2020 election, and Tim Cornier, who lost to Hadarah in the 2022 primary. Roslin was elected in 2019.
The two recently elected commissioners have focused their campaigns on pledges to keep interest rates low, and Cournier recently joined the board of directors who voted against budget proposals that do not include interest rate hikes for 2023 and 2024. was the only holdout in.
Cournyer argued that the move would threaten PUD’s strategic goal of “safe, reliable power at reasonable costs.”
During the primary, Hadarah told Chronicle: I feel they waste a lot of money. I feel they have higher management who are overpaid. ”
Similarly, during the course of the campaign, Kelly said his goal as commissioner was to “control spending and keep rates stable.”
The two, who now hold a majority, were able to cut ties with Roden shortly after Hadara took office, despite Roslin voting against it.
Commissioners serve six-year terms and are charged with setting policy and overseeing the work of the general manager, according to the PUD website. Their annual income is $30,804.
