Bremerton’s Old Boys’ Club
Mayor Wheeler’s administration prioritizes loyalty over merit, creating an insular environment that hinders progress and new ideas.
Promoting "Yes-Men"
Mayor Wheeler consistently promotes from within, favoring those who align with his views rather than seeking out diverse talent and fresh perspectives.
Mr. Wheeler has hired three department directors, plus the important city engineer. Each of these was filled by a white guy who already worked in the department. Nobody from outside had a chance.
Public Works Director, 2019 - City Engineer, 2019 - Fire Chief, 2020 - Police Chief, 2021
It’s time to dismantle the "Old Boys' Network" and bring in diverse talent to truly move Bremerton forward.
Poor choices
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Blurred Lines
The Mayor’s campaign manager is a city employee. This raises questions about conflicts of interest, impartiality and good governance.
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Same Old Contractor
Bremerton uses the same old contractor - Parametrix - project after project. The Seattle-based firm is a contractor on no fewer than eight street projects. when you recycle the same contractor, you recycle the same half-baked designs and short-sighted solutions. Innovation? Transparency? Not on this mayor’s road map.