City of Gresham Fire Department Chief Mitch Snyder has submitted his resignation on April 13, effective as of May 6. In compliance with a public records request made by The Gresham Outlook, a copy of Chief Snyder’s resignation letter has been released.

The City of Gresham says they support employees raising good faith concerns about the workplace and actively works to examine them when made, but they disagree with the concerns raised in Chief Snyder’s letter regarding the budget and City Leadership.

The City stated that "While Gresham as a whole has experienced budgetary challenges over the past few years, we have sought to work openly and collaboratively as an organization in order to build understanding and create equitable solutions across the City."

However, Snyder has indicated that unprofessional conduct by the City Manager's Office, serious budget concerns that remain unaddressed, and toxic scapegoating as reasons he is resigning from an organization he could "no longer in good conscience be a part of."

In the resignation letter written to the Gresham City Council, made available by The Gresham Outlook through a public records request, Snyder seemed to point blame at Deputy City Manager Corey Falls.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Chief Snyder will serve his last day as Friday, May 6. Scott Lewis will serve as interim chief.

"It has become clear to me ... that Deputy Falls does not, in fact, value those leadership aspects," Snyder wrote in his letter. "Instead he prefers an organizational structure that allows him to flex his authority while at the same time deflecting criticism to make deficiencies in the City Manager's Office appear to be the responsibility and fault of others around him."

The Gresham Police Chief also recently resigned.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-05-02 14:40:15

Last Update: 2022-05-02 17:11:37