Thursday evening’s firing of Spokane County Health Officer Bob Lutz brought an immediate response from Lutz supporters.
That includes the union that represents more than 120 Spokane Regional Health District employees. It issued a statement of no-confidence in Administrative Officer Amelia Clark.
“It’s not just about Dr. Lutz at this point," said health district epidemiologist Erin Whitehead, a member of the union.
“We have been unhappy, for a lot of people, since day one with this director and the way that she leads."
Whitehead and other employees describe Clark as autocratic and aloof. They criticize her for leading what they call an expensive agency reorganization soon after arriving in Spokane last year. At the same, they say, the health district had to lay off five employees as part of the new budget recently approved by the board.
In their letter, they say the director hasn’t been transparent with the staff and community. They urge the board to fire Clark and re-hire Lutz.
