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Administrator bids farewell to Gig Harbor
Apr 10, 2012 (The Peninsula Gateway - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
It was a time of transition Monday night as the Gig Harbor City Council welcomed new City Administrator Dennis Richards and said goodbye to outgoing City Administrator Rob Karlinsey.
Richards, a former Kelso city manager, officially replaced Rob Karlinsey, who will take the city manager position in Kenmore.
During a sometimes emotional address to council members, Karlinsey had kind words for the community he has served for the past five years, as well as coworkers he referred to as "some of the nicest people I've ever met."
With his family present in the audience, Karlinsey's voice occasionally cracked as he struggled to maintain his composure.
"This is an amazing community," he said. "There's no other place like it on earth."
He praised Gig Harbor citizens for being engaged and caring deeply for the community.
"This city has texture," Karlinsey said. "That's what's made this job so interesting and fun."
Karlinsey also singled out Gig Habor Mayor Chuck Hunter and council members with kudos.
"He puts in more hours than I do," he said of Hunter, characterizing him as a volunteer because he works for what Karlinsey called little pay.
"This is a fine city council," Karlinsey added.
Karlinsey reserved his most heartfelt thanks for his wife, Michelle, saying he was grateful for her support.
Following a standing ovation, it was Karlinsey's coworkers who lavished praise on him.
"Rob's worked for me for five years," Hunter said. "I couldn't have asked for a better guy to help me out."
During his tenure, Karlinsey was instrumental in the completion of millions of dollars of infrastructure projects, including the Borgen/Burnham/state Route 16 interchange, the new wastewater treatment plant and the outfall project.
Council members Paul Kadzik and Steve Ekberg praised Karlinsey's high energy and enthusiasm for his work.
"I have to say, you did not disappoint with regards to first impression," Kadzik said.
Council member Michael Perrow agreed, saying Karlinsey shined through his love of work.
Council member Ken Malich lauded Karlinsey's ability to keep the council informed, saying his own email inbox often was filled with messages Karlinsey sent about various projects.
Council member Derek Young said Karlinsey managed the hard economic times of the past several years well.
"Kenmore's very lucky," council member Jill Guernsey added. "You're going to be a hard act to follow."
Karlinsey will start his new job on April 24.
In other news:
--The council held a public hearing and first reading for an ordinance on side yard setbacks in the historic district. The amendment would provide more flexibility on the placement of side setbacks/view corridors on wide lots.
"This would apply to both residential and non-residential lots," said Senior Planner Jennifer Kester, who added that current regulations require "buildings to be squished together in the middle."
Action on the ordinance will take place during the next regular council meeting on April 23.
--The council approved a request in the amount of $73,000 for the city's marketing department to purchase online advertising, technical upgrades, a cable media buy and outdoor advertising.
--Gig Harbor Parks Commission Chair Nick Tarabochia reminded the council that April 21 is Parks Appreciation Day.
___ (c)2012 The Peninsula Gateway (Gig Harbor, Wash.) Visit The Peninsula
Gateway (Gig Harbor, Wash.) at www.thenewstribune.com/gigharbor Distributed by
MCT Information Services
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