The Deputy Administrator for Ottawa County announced Tuesday that he is resigning after 8 months on the job.
In a letter to County Administrator John Gibbs, Deputy Administrator Patrick Waterman writes that his resignation stems from a deep concern from what he views as Gibbs’ lack of effective leadership, and an eroding culture of trust by county employees.
Waterman goes on to accuse Gibbs of a “pattern of concerning administrative decisions” including uninviting Waterman from key departmental meetings, not adhering to established county hiring policy and practices,” and “dismissing raised concerns and questions.”
Back in January, the newly elected Board of Commissioners shocked a number of county employees when they voted to fire then County Administrator John Shay and on the same day voted to replace him with John Gibbs, a Far-Right leaning Republican and former candidate for the United States House of Representatives.
At that meeting Gibbs told the County Commission that America’s “forefathers were smiling down on them from Heaven” for making the switch.
Meanwhile, John Shay then took a job as Wyoming’s City Manager. And that is where Waterman is heading, as he has accepted a position to be the city’s Deputy Manager.
Waterman’s resignation is set for August 4th.
