Manager candidates narrowed to four

By Brian O’Connor

Sentinel writer

The borough assembly cut an additional candidate from the list of applicants for the borough manager job during a closed executive session Sept. 10.

Four candidates now remain in the hunt for the position. They are: retired borough clerk and former legislative aide Christie Jamieson, current interim borough manager and finance manager Jeff Jabusch, current Alaska Commission on Aging planner Jon Erickson, and Kyle H. McCain of Shavano Park, Texas, where he was most recently city manager for just under two years, ending in May.

The two local candidates have a combined 68 years of borough experience.

Jamieson worked as the city clerk from 1997 until last year, when she retired to work temporarily as a legislative aide to Alaska Sen. Burt Stedman in Juneau. Jamieson served as deputy city clerk and bookkeeper from 1994 to 1997, and as a receptionist and accounts clerk from 1980 to 1994, according to a resume submitted as part of her application and made public this week by current borough clerk Kim Lane.

Jamieson said if she obtained the position, she’d focus on roads and infrastructure.

“There are lots of projects out there that we need money for,” she said. “With approved projects, jobs would follow. That’s what I would love to see, along with the whole community.”

If hired, Jamieson would be both the first descendant of Chief Shakes VII and woman to serve in the borough manager position.

“I’m really ready to take on and assume the full responsibility for what it takes for a girl manager,” she said. “I’ve always challenged myself each and every year. This is the challenge I definitely want to take on.”

“I’m very proud of my heritage,” Jamieson added. “I hold it very close to my heart.”

Jamieson holds a 2008 Master Municipal Clerk certificate from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

Jabusch has served as the interim manager since the Aug. 9 resignation of former manager Tim Rooney, and Finance Director since 1977. During the 90s, Jabusch twice served as the interim manager for periods of between eight and nine months.

“I would obviously like to get the job and there’s some things I could offer the city in that position,” he said. “Whoever the replacement is, I would be in a position to assist them and guide them through the budget. I think that would certainly be a positive thing for the community and position.”

“The assembly will certainly hopefully choose the best candidate and I will support their decision,” Jabusch added.

Jabusch holds a 1977 bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & Accounting from Seattle University.

McCain has been a city manager in five different Texas cities since 1979 – including managing the city of Clute in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike — and also worked for almost ten years with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Region VI, which includes Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas.

“Everything that cities do, I have done,” he said. “I’d bring a lot of experience, a lot of background in municipal governance.”

McCain decided to apply for the position after visiting Southeast this summer, and said at least one feature of Wrangell struck him immediately.

“I’ve been around a harbor, but I’ve never had a city that had a harbor,” he said.

McCain holds a 1978 Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of North Texas.

Erickson, who currently works out of Juneau, has worked for the state since 2010, after serving as the City Administrator for the City of Thorne Bay for less than a year, eventually leaving upon mutual agreement with the city assembly.

“He had a short tenure,” said Thorne Bay Mayor Jim Gould. “There was a lot of conflict with city employees. There was a lot of concern with what he was delegating away.”

Erickson characterized the situation differently.

“They had a situation where financially they were in a little trouble, and I was trying to rein in their financial problems,” he said. “They went from a population of 1,800 people to 600 people. It was a real transition time for them.”

“I was the guy saying there was no such thing as a free pony,” he added.

Before taking the administrator position, he worked as coordinator of School-Based Medicaid Administration for the Alaska Department of Health & Social Services. Prior to that, he lists his position as director for the Fairbanks Native Corporation. A Google search for Fairbanks Native Corporation listed three native corporations in Fairbanks, including the Fairbanks Native Association. A human resources representative confirmed a Jon Erickson had been employed with the association, however, his title and duties couldn’t be immediately verified because of an antiquated records system.

His resume also lists school administrator for the Clover Park District in Lakewood, Wash., after teaching education at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., and high school shop at Asotin, Wash.

“I’m a natural consensus builder,” he said. “I’ve had staffs of anywhere up to 200 employees.”

“I love the Southeast,” Erickson added. “This is where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.”

Erickson holds a 2000 doctorate in education from Washington State University.

Officials said they had eliminated a fifth candidate, David Scott, the finance director of the Bristol Bay Borough, over concerns about his level of experience.