Outgoing Police Chief Frank Balkcom, Sr. created a stir when, in a letter sent to city attorney Josh Smith and mayor Levi Tappan, he stated that “the city manager has created a hostile work environment towards me as the chief of police and consistently displayed a bias toward public safety.”

Balkcom’s letter was also sent to the Lake Powell Chronicle, which published the letter in its Dec. 5 edition.

Mayor Levi Tappan told the Chronicle that he believes Balkcom’s statement to be inaccuarate.

At Monday night’s regular city council meeting Mayor Levi Tappan and the city council members doubled down on that sentiment, publicly stating that they support Page city manager Mike Celaya and believe he’s doing great things for the city.

“As the mayor and city council wanted to let the public know that we support the job that our city manager, Mike Celaya, is doing and the environment he has created here at city hall and throughout the city,” said mayor Tappan.

Councilman Dennis Warner added, “Although it’s unfortunate that it came to this with the chief, I fully support the manager and his actions and I would have taken the same action had I been in that position. I fully support the manager.”

Councilman Mark Cormier also wanted to go on the record in support of Celaya.

“I think Mike Celaya is the best city manger this city has had in my memory,” said Cormier. “He’s bringing things to the table this city has never had.
Regarding the alleged hostile work environment mentioned by Balkcom, Cormier said he’s never witnessed it.

“The people I work with and talk with at the city level think we have a great work environment. As far as I’m concerned Celaya’s doing a great job for Page."