Curt Carpenter resigns from MLIRD

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District general manager Curt Carpenter resigned this week from his position.

Carpenter served as the district's general manager for seven years. He turned in his resignation letter Monday, citing health concerns and strain on his family.

His letter also mentioned board members' ridicule, accusations and micro-management.

"During this tenure staff has been ridiculed, accused of being dishonest, and liars, accused of committing election crimes and our integrity has been publicly slandered in the public board meetings, as well as in the media by board members," he stated in his letter.

The board's leadership has gone through major changes in the past two years, with the election and recent resignation of board member Mick Hansen, and the expansion of the board from three to five members. In 2012, employees joined the Teamsters Union, in part, because they felt their jobs were threatened, according to a past Columbia Basin Herald article.

Carpenter's letter also included a note from his doctor in which she linked his depression and anxiety to his job and recommended he resign.

Carpenter accepted a position at Inland Mechanical in Moses Lake. He was unavailable for comment at press time Wednesday.

Board director Ron Covey said he was disappointed to hear of Carpenter's resignation.

"He's been an asset to the district for the last seven years as a general manager," he said. "I know he's put his blood, sweat and tears into that position and he's done a terrific job."

Covey said Carpenter did a lot for MLIRD over the years. Carpenter helped during union negotiations for example, he said.

Carpenter was also a licensed landscape architect and helped draw up plans for Connelly Park. And as a heavy equipment operator he trained staff on how to use the district's various machines.

Carpenter also served as the district's grant writer, he said.

"He didn't just sit in the office and push papers all day," Covey commented. "He did a lot of things."

Covey said Carpenter helped improve the district's reputation throughout the state during his tenure.

"Curt stepped into that position in 2007, when we were not thought of very highly throughout the state," he said.

Carpenter was able to create good working relationships on behalf of the district with several state and federal agencies and other irrigation districts, said Covey.

"He was able to mend those bridges along the way," he said. "That's to Curt's credit."

Covey said it will be difficult for the board to fill Carpenter's position.

Board chair Jeff Foster said they are currently determining the next steps they will take in finding Carpenter's replacement.

Covey said the board will likely take formal action on their plan during their next regularly scheduled meeting.

"The board will hire a new general manager and we'll have to advertise for the position," he said. "I don't know that we will limit ourself to just someone local, we will advertise for the position locally and outside of the district."

Managing Editor Lynne Lynch contributed to this article.