Story posted Friday, January 22, 2010
Council Fires Bajor, 5-3
By TODD WESSELL Journal & Topics Editor
One Jason was replaced with another Jason Wednesday morning following the termination of City Manager Jason Bajor.
After a closed door meeting in city hall Tuesday night, aldermen voted 5 to 3 to fire Bajor, which in effect grants him an attractive severance package. Taking over as Acting City Manager is Jason Slowinski, who since September 2008 has served as assistant manager under Bajor.
Bajor's departure became apparent within the last two weeks following an executive session where five of the city's eight aldermen agreed to move forward with efforts have him replaced.
As reported in the Journal & Topics Newspapers approximately two weeks ago, the first time many aldermen became aware that Bajor's job was on the line came following a Christmas Eve telephone call he made to Ald. Rosemary Argus (8th). In that conversation, according to Argus, Bajor asked about whether a majority of aldermen would favor granting him a severance package if he resigned. A snag involving his employment contract contained the stipulation that if he resigns, he's not entitled to severance pay unless aldermen agree. If he is fired, he is entitled to severance. Since the closed city council meeting of two weeks ago, City Attorney Dave Wiltse has been negotiating with Bajor details of his departure. In the end, aldermen voted 5 to 3 to terminate his employment. Bajor will receive half of his $138,000 annual salary along with six months of health insurance payments. Aldermen who voted against firing Bajor were Patti Haugeberg (1st), Jean Higgason (4th) and Dan Wilson (7th).
While no one commented on Bajor's termination following Tuesday's meeting, several city officials have stated that morale in city hall has been low and that Bajor has assumed too much control by consolidating several departments directly under his authority.
The only comment Bajor made on the matter came about two weeks ago when he denied inquiring about possibly resigning. He called the matter a "misunderstanding."
Slowinski's promotion entitles him to receive a pay increase that amounts to the lowest sum of money that currently comprises the city manager's salary range. That sum is $131,000 per year. As assistant city manager, Slowinski received a salary of $115,000. Slowinski said he has scheduled his first meetings with department heads as acting city manager for next Monday and Tuesday.
"I have full confidence that Jason Slowinski will have city hall and the city running smoothly," said Ald. Mark Walsten (6th) yesterday (Thursday).
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