In a July 3 letter, State Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson reprimanded Washington State Ferries' Director of Operations, Steve Rodgers, for “challenging, undermining, and disrespecting” her authority during a June 17 phone conversation. That same day Rodgers was placed on paid administrative leave; the reason was not specified in a memo from Deputy Transportation Secretary Cam Gilmour. Rodgers joined the ferry system in 1972 and became Director of Operations in 2007.The dirty details of their dispute make the incident feel more like an episode of Real World WSF than a minor disciplinary incident. The letter itself was released just this Wednesday to the Seattle Times, which reported that in spite of multiple favorable reviews and recommendations, Rodgers’ past year has been filled with personnel issues (not the least of which involved his son, Josh Rodgers, pocketing $529 out of an $800 “working fund” for personal use). According to the Times, while Rodgers is on leave, three other upper-management jobs at WSF are also unfilled. — K.H.
Ferry Drama
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By Kate Harloe
Kate Harloe is Crosscut's Community Manager & Editorial Assistant. After graduating from Hamilton College, Kate completed two seasons of work for the Southwest Conservation Corps before moving
Kate Harloe is Crosscut's Community Manager & Editorial Assistant. After graduating from Hamilton College, Kate completed two seasons of work for the Southwest Conservation Corps before moving