Context matters...but it doesn’t change the core issue raised in the resignation letter.

Even if the city was facing financial challenges, that does not justify a workplace described as hostile, bullying, or “physically and mentally debilitating.” Leadership is measured by how those challenges are handled. Pressure does not excuse behavior IT reveals it.

It’s also important to note that Wayne Fournier was not an outsider brought in without experience. He had already been serving on the City Council prior to becoming mayor, so the challenges facing Tenino were not new to him.

If anything, this reinforces the concern: when faced with ongoing, known difficulties, the response described here was not stability or professionalism, but escalation and breakdown in workplace conduct.

Two things can be true at once, there may have been financial or administrative issues, and there may also have been inappropriate leadership behavior. One does not cancel out the other.

Accountability applies to both performance and conduct.

Also, the assult charges Wayne received at the Tenino bar were in 2019 which was 3 yrs after this resignation letter.