Somebody sent this to my e-mail account and I thought it deserved to be seen by everyone in the hopes that it inspires other Anchorage residents to follow suit. To : Assemblyman Patrick Flynn , Assemblyman Bill Starr , Assemblywoman Debbie Ossiander , Assemblyman Matt Claman , Assemblyman Dan Coffey , Assemblywoman Elvi Gray-Jackson , Assemblywoman Sheila Selkregg , Assemblyman Mike Gutierrez , Assemblyman Chris Birch , Assemblywoman Jennifer Johnston We are told that the Municipality of Anchorage’s revenues are so tight that the rescue program of the Anchorage Fire Department has been reduced or eliminated. The reduced municipal revenues have resulted in positions not being filled as they become vacant. Other public employees may have to be laid off from work. Despite these hard financial times, the Assembly approved a $193,000 payment requested by the Municipal Attorney and Mayor Sullivan. The $193,000 is to be paid the George M. Sullivan Trust. When asked about the beneficiaries, Suzanne McVicker, will not disclose the information, stating that the information is “confidential.” For us, these circumstances raise some questions we would ask you, as an assembly member, to answer. 1. What authority gives the Salaries and Emoluments Commission, the Assembly, or Mayor, the power to agree to pay any person after their employment ends $193,000, that is not part of a previously agreed upon pension plan? 2. What legal consideration did the Municipality of Anchorage receive after January 10th, 1982 for a contract obligation to pay $193,000 to the George M. Sullivan Trust. ? 3. When did you first learn about the agreement to extend former Mayor George Sullivan’s life insurance? 4. Did anyone see an original agreement or contract and accompanying documents? 5. Do you know when the insurance company informed the city it would not cover former Mayor George Sullivan as an insured in the employee group insurance plan? 6. Who paid the premiums from 1982 to the present? Is there a record of payments made? 7. Into which city account were these premiums paid? Out of which city account was the payment disbursed? 8. Who authorized the city to collect the insurance premium in 2002? 9. If this was a binding, legal agreement, why did the payment require a vote by the Assembly? 10.Since no insurance policy had been issued, and no employment contract provision required the $193,000 payment, what makes AR No. 2010-33 not the grant of a special privilege prohibited by Article 1, Section 15 of the Alaska Constitution? 11. How is AR No. 2010-33 an appropriation of public money for a public purpose as required by Article IX, Section 6 of the Alaska Constitution? 12. Do you think that Municipal Attorney gave you sufficient and accurate information to make an informed decision? 13. Explain your affirmative vote, please. I don’t believe too many people could fault Anchorage resident for asking the questions contained in this e-mail. You know I think I will send a similar e-mail myself, and if any of you Anchorage residents are so inclined I have linked the names of each of the Assembly members to their e-mails so you can contact them directly.
See the rest here:
E-mail to the Anchorage Assembly regarding Dan Sullivan’s $193,000 payout.
