Why You Should Vote NO on My Recall
Recalls are meant for serious misconduct—not for disagreements or difficult decisions made during challenging times. The effort to recall me as Mayor stems from a moment of citywide tension, not wrongdoing.
Here are the facts.
I’m being criticized for contacting an outside attorney to draft an agreement regarding the termination of former City Manager Stephen Jellie. It’s important to know that this attorney already had an existing relationship with the City of Palmer. I didn’t make any binding decisions—I simply sought legal guidance during a time of uncertainty to prepare an agreement the council could review.
That agreement was brought before the full city council—and it was unanimously approved. Every single council member voted in favor of it. The $75,000 severance was exactly what had already been included in Mr. Jellie’s contract, which the council had approved earlier that year.
It’s essential to remember: every council member has both the right and the responsibility to vote against anything they disagree with. None did. That speaks volumes.
This situation began on October 8, 2024, when City Attorney Sarah Heath informed me she intended to read a complaint about Mr. Jellie during a public meeting. Out of concern for due process and the emotional impact, I recommended a private meeting with the council. The email was still read aloud, leading to a tense and emotional meeting where 26 people—many city employees—spoke during public comment.
Soon after, Council Members Graver and Tudor called for Mr. Jellie’s termination, and an emergency meeting was called. Amid legal uncertainty and pressure from all sides, I contacted the outside attorney to help draft a legal and fair separation agreement. Again, the council voted unanimously to use it.
I acted in good faith, with the city’s best interests at heart. The recall effort misrepresents the facts and undermines a decision that was made transparently and with full council support.
This isn’t about misconduct—it’s about disagreement. And that’s not a reason to overturn an election.
Please vote NO on the recall. Let’s keep Palmer moving forward—together.
Paid for by: NO Recall for Palmer MayorSteve.com Steve Carrington, Mayor, PO Box 3333, Palmer AK 99645. Top Contributors: Steve Carrington (Palmer,AK), Linda Combs (Palmer, AK), Sherry Carrington (Palmer AK). Steve Carrington, Mayor, approves this message.