Wendy Gabriel out as CdA city administrator

Coeur d’Alene City Administrator Wendy Gabriel resigned Wednesday after 25 years with the city. No reason was given for her sudden departure.

Gabriel resigned effective immediately under terms of a mutual agreement reached with the city.

“Sometimes things are better handled quickly,” she said, noting that nothing specific prompted her to resign.

That agreement will go to the City Council to be ratified May 20.

Finance Director Troy Tymesen was named acting city administrator.

“I have had the honor to serve my community for 25 amazing years,” Gabriel said in a news release. “I look around our great city and can’t help but feel proud of all that this city team and this community have accomplished.”

She is married to Ken Gabriel, the Coeur d’Alene fire chief.

Gabriel started with the city in May 1989 as a legal intern in the city attorney’s office. She rose to claims manager and research assistant, interim city administrator and deputy city administrator before being named city administrator in 2002.

“I would like to thank Wendy for her 25 years of dedicated service to the city,” Mayor Steve Widmyer said in a statement. “I wish her all the best.”

Gabriel said she intends to keep working rather than retire. Members of her family have served in the Idaho Legislature, and she said Wednesday: “That could be in my blood.”