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The Republican former mayor of Fairbanks confirms what had been informed speculation that Miller's use of borough resources for political purposes nearly caused him to be fired from his position as a borough attorney. Former Mayor Jim Whitaker also called Miller a liar, in more polite terms.
Whitaker said Miller’s actions violated the Fairbanks North Star Borough’s ethics policy but did not result in a termination because the borough needed Miller to continue working on its lawsuit about how much to tax the trans-Alaska pipeline system. Miller eventually resigned from borough employment on Sept. 1, 2009.
“I’m speaking now because this occurred on my watch as mayor, because I know the truth, and because I have an obligation to tell the truth,” Whitaker said in an interview with the Daily News-Miner.
He said that, as a former mayor, he would prefer not to be involved in “the political melee.”
“I also felt it was appropriate to give Mr. Miller enough time to come forward himself,” Whitaker said. “It’s clear with his statements of the other day, he’s not going to do that. Referring to the truth as innuendo and lies is not truthful.”
Miller was reportedly using colleagues' computers to cast proxy votes to oust the GOP state chair in a party coup plan Sarah Palin cooked up. The incident has resulted in plenty of back and forth between Miller and the borough, which has been asked to release Miller's employment records. They say they can only do so with a release from Miller. Miller says they have to release him from attorney-client privilege (which the borough denies is necessary) and so he won't authorize the release until he gets that from them. That's the stalemate that's existed since June, until Whitaker finally decided enough was enough.
In case you're curious about what did end Miller's employment with the borough, it was a reportedly a dispute over time off. The staff had a large workload, and two attorneys were out--one because of her pregnancy and one recovering from a heart attack. Miller's request for leave to go elk hunting was denied, and he listed that as a factor in his resignation.
Gawd, what a winner this guy is. Luckily, Alaska voters have a much better choice. You can help Scott McAdams get the word out about the positive direction he promises for Alaska with $10, $15 or whatever you can kick
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