STURGIS, S.D. – Sturgis Mayor Angela Wilkerson has released a letter to the Citizens of Sturgis following the announcement of two long-time employees leaving their positions Wednesday. They join others who have announced over the past few months their departure as well.
Wilkerson says some of these resignations were for personal reasons of the staff members, while others were due to what has been considered a hostile and oppressive work environment.
On that note, Mayor Wilkerson says she was “wholeheartedly committed to rectifying the atmosphere that has been created at City Hall over the last three years.”
Since the departure of City Manager Daniel Ainslie last year and the vote to eliminate the city manager form of government in April, the city has been suffering from some growing pains of a new form of city government. The city is planning on hiring a city administrator to take the heavy load off city staff.
Wilkerson says the City will start recruitment for various positions once they determine the scope of duties and level of qualifications needed to fill the positions available. Wilkerson went on to say she truly believes that the City of Sturgis has fostered a workforce of friends and family who work together for the betterment of not only their community as a whole, but for the betterment of each individual.
Furthermore, she stated the “actions of those who have created the unrest within the City are not reflective of the true nature of this City.”
Here is Mayor Wilkerson’s letter in its entirety:
To the citizens of Sturgis,
It has been announced through various sources that the City of Sturgis has received multiple resignations from some of our very talented staff.
Some of these resignations were for personal reasons of the staff members, while others were due to what has been considered a hostile and oppressive work environment.
I am wholeheartedly committed to rectifying the atmosphere that has been created at City Hall over the last three years.
The residents of Sturgis deserve to continue receiving municipal services that come from professional, competent City staff; and our employees deserve to work in an environment where they feel safe and valued so they can perform their duties to their highest potential.
The City will start recruitment for various positions once we determine the scope of duties and level of qualifications needed to fill the positions available. I truly believe that the City of Sturgis has fostered a workforce of friends and family who work together for the betterment of not only their community as a whole, but for the betterment of each individual.
The actions of those who have created the unrest within the City are not reflective of the true nature of this City.
We are Sturgis Strong, and I am committed to keeping it that way.
Angela Wilkerson
Mayor of Sturgis
