Yesterday, a few of us gathered to say goodbye to Karen Carlisle. Karen has served as Ruston's Clerk-Treasurer for the last 9 years. She has worked under 7 different administrations in that time. She has seen some political firestorms and been the focus of a few of those storms herself.
I have always appreciated Karen's honesty, commitment and love for Ruston. There is no question that she gave her heart 100% to this community. She knows the budget inside and out. She knows what makes the town administration function more than the rest of the staff combined. She carries more details about this town in her head than any of us can imagine. And all that knowledge is now lost.
She has a heart of gold, but doesn't mind dishing back what is dished out to her. In other words, she didn't always play the political niceity-nice game. But even when she may have been brisk, she was always professional. There were times when she and I did not agree on issues; times when I irritated her or vise versa. But we have always been able to maintain a civil relationship.
On community celebrations, she went well beyond the call of duty. She almost single-handledly organized a town parade a few years ago. She worked tirelessly on the bridge dedication and "memories in brick" memorial. There is no question that she loved us deeply.
I don't think any of us appreciate fully all that Karen has given us over the years. She was an easy target when someone disliked the mayor she worked for. Any complaints about the town usually ended up at her feet. The political pressures on her would have driven most of us over the edge. But through each new mayor, each new round of complaints or change in political wind, she maintained her professionalism and her integrity. And above all, her love for this community never wavered.
To the naysayers, be careful what you wish for. We have lost a gem that will be hard to replace. Karen Murphy Carlisle leaves with her head held high. She leaves a community that is better because of her efforts. Many, many of us will miss her ~ and hope she finds rest and peace in her new endeavors. She's certainly earned it.
Karen
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
Well I think you're way off base with your hard to follow praise of Karen--your comments are a little scatter brained and seem to jump around too much.
If Karen is so great, and cares more about the town then say, me or my neighbors, hopefully she gave proper notice and took some of her knowledge, more than the rest of us have of course, and trained her replacement?
Because if she really cared, and was truly a gifted manager, thats what she would have done.
Can you verify she did this?
Thats what a good journalist would be interested in.
I can only say well done. She was a treasure and will be missed especially by the mis adventurous council with little knowledge there of the Town of Ruston.
I wish her well for she bore the brunt of the Tacoma Cabal and stood her ground serving the Town of Ruston proudly.
For Anonymous #1: Thank you for your critique of my writing style. I’ll try to do better next time.
I disagree that Karen was obligated to remain on the job until a replacement had been hired to prove she loved this community. She offered to share her knowledge during her final two weeks, but no one followed up with her. I recognize that some people did not get along with her, but that does not diminish her commitment to Ruston or dedication to doing the best job she could with the tools provided, in my opinion.
This comment has been slightly edited because I cannot verify some of the statements. The full comment is available on the Free Ruston site.
_____________________
***** So, that being said, i agree she had no obligation to stay, BUT, if she loves the town as much as you report, she should have consoled with the Mayor a long time ago, so she could train her replacement and NOT leave us short handed.
It seems to me Karen, you get a little lost in the sentiments of the moment and neglect to report the facts.
Please, stop covering up for the short comings of the people you think need your protection, and report on the facts.
If you are going to be the person this town looks too for the facts, please stick them and ask the hard questions even though it may be difficult.
*******
I think we are getting lost in some minor details with some of this debate. I offered my opinion (not hard facts) about how I view Karen Carlisle's tenure with the town. I included some of the reasons that I felt reflected her love for this community. When I post my opinion, it is clearly labeled as such. This post was not intended to be a professional news story. I think complaints about my skills as a "journalist" or asking the hard questions on an opinion piece don't fit.
The Town gets what the Town deserves. Now we'll really see what management is made of. Lets see $17-$21 per hour, no dependent benefits, and a college degree LOL
Karen, you are misunderstanding my responses.
We are NOT debating; I am stating my opinion of your piece.
So let’s now define “opinion”.
An opinion is a belief that cannot be proved with evidence, and by the way, many of the posts on rustonhome that contain “opinion” are moved to freeruston by you because the "facts cannot be verified”, but I see YOUR opinions flow freely here.
For example, you state in your earlier reply, "She offered to share her knowledge during her final two weeks, but no one followed up with her".
Is this a fact or opinion?
Are you merely repeating what Karen told you in general conversation?
Must I call the mayor to verify this, something you should have done before writing your response to my previous post.
My observation of your responses is, you are slapping our town government with your opinions and sticking up for Karen blindly, which is the concern/critique I had with your original opinion piece.
"The Town gets what the Town deserves. Now we'll really see what management is made of. Lets see $17-$21 per hour, no dependent benefits, and a college degree LOL"
Karen, you allowed this unverified, accusative, uncivil and unedited post on rustonhome?
How much do you care for our town when you allow people to attack our current government?
Your heart must not made of the same material as our recently resigned clerk.
Lack of follow up or exit interview with karen is fact. Feel free to contact the Mayor as you see fit. A lot of history is lost in this lack of transfer of information....a real shame.
So, there are 750 residents in town. How many of them are working adults? Then, how many of thm have to work under the rules of public government, which include taking the attacks against employees that come so often in this town? There are people here who delight in nitpicking people and/or subjects to death.
Count your blessings you don't work for the ungrateful officials and residents of this town, and thank God for the grateful officials and appreciative residents we do have.
Post a Comment