The community development department director for the City and Borough of Juneau will be moving to Washington state.
Dale Pernula has been with the city for 10 years and has decided its time to move on. His last day will be April 25.
“I got another job in another town — in Mount Vernon, Wash.,” he said. “I would say the primary reason is I have three kids and three step-kids and they live in six separate states. I would just like to be closer to see them.”
Pernula said with Juneau’s transportation difficulties it makes visiting his children and step-children difficult.
Pernula has enjoyed his work with the city over the years.
“I think there’s only one department head who was here when I got here and he’s retiring in a month or so,” Pernula said. “Probably the best thing that I enjoy is working with different groups, primarily the time I’ve put with the planning commission. They’ve been a great group to work with over the years, and the Assembly as well. Working with the Planning Commission and staff to get things done, get things approved, it’s been very enjoyable.”
Pernula said he’s also enjoyed his time in Juneau, particularly with fly-fishing and skiing. He said he will probably come back to visit as he has made a lot of friends here.
Pernula made the decision earlier in the week. City officials were not immediately available to comment Friday afternoon on the future of the position and how it may be filled.
When asked if he had advice for any upcoming community development director, Pernula said flexibility.
“It’s a position where you get feedback from all different directions,” he said. “From the public, from the staff, from the Planning Commission, my supervisors, the Assembly, and last, but not least, the developers. You need to listen to all sides and be flexible and fair and decisive.”
In the past year and a half the city has had several directors and managers retire or leave in some fashion including the Docks and Harbors director (and harbormaster), Centennial Hall manager, aquatics manager, Parks and Recreation director, city manager, deputy city manager (though she was promoted to city manager), Public Works director, Eaglecrest Ski Area manager (he was promoted to the Public Works director position), Bartlett Regional Hospital chief executive officer and Bartlett’s chief financial officer. The city finance director also will be retiring soon.
• Contact reporter Sarah Day at 523-2279 or at sarah.day@juneauempire.com.
Comments (9)
Add commentlast paragraph
What is Ms. Day implying in her last paragraph? Those are accurate facts (at least 10 high level CBJ employees leaving). They have nothing to do directly with the story of Pernula resigning.
Maybe there's a good point ? Maybe that should be a different story?
twogood
There is nothing to the "story". Conspiracy theorists might disagree, but really, there is nothing.
dont forget the water and
dont forget the water and wastewater supers. they got canned, for the better? that remains to be seen...
Thank you Dale.
Mr. Pernula has chosen to be closer to his children. He did not have to be so open, as few are, and I, for one, applaud his decision. God speed and may fortune smile on you and yours. Thank you for the years you have contributed. From what I have heard your shoes will be hard to fill. As beautiful as Juneau is, and we are speaking of the natural scenery here more than what we have added to it, people come, people go. It's been that way as long as I can remember.
The last paragraph is relevant to the story, stating the facts relevant to the city's loss of skilled employees. But, as I said, life is a bit more complicated than Juneau.
they say
It's the rats that jump ship first when the ships sinking
Retirement plan
This makes perfect sense. After 10 years at CBJ you are vested in your pension and medical. And if you are over 55 yrs old you can retire early and collect for life. If not, work somewhere else (better climate) and build up another pension. This is one reason for the exodus.
Dale will be missed
I know it's a tradition to dish out verbal abuse freely when talking about a person who is paid by the CBJ, but Dale and his family are terrific people and as generous and supportive of our community as anyone I've known here. I hope they do come back. Thanks for being good neighbors, and Dale thanks for all you've done.
@Twogood
You're right in that those other resignations, retirements, etc., have nothing "directly" to do with Pernula resigning, however I thought it was important to point out the growing number of top officials who have left recently. I do think it's part of a broader trend. I also think it should be said that the majority these people who have left — or the reason for the vacancy — have worked for the city for 10-30+ years, and some continue to do so.
@Ken dunker II, I am having a hard time understanding what you are getting at. My email address is listed at the end of the story. Your access to sending me email is entirely upon your own service provider, not the Empire's system.