(Anchorage, AK) The community it seems has been bombarded lately with stories of alleged discrepancies at Anchorage School District Superintendent candidate Jim Browder’s old job in Ft. Meyers Florida.

Tonight [1-6-11] he responded to one man's complaint in particular.

 More than 50 people turned out to see Browder at his meet & Greet.

With over 30 years of education experience in the State of Florida, 7 of those years as a superintendent of the 40th largest school district in the nation, many are pleased and ready to welcome Browder to Alaska.

 However there are also many who are not happy with the A.S.D. finalist.

 Pastor James Gillespie of Ft Meyers Florida claimed earlier today--he's known Browder for over 20 years.

 Gillespie accuses Browder of things like cronyism, saying he was allegedly hired by his “friend” Kenneth Walker, President of Edison Community College.

 Gillespie also claims Browder was allegedly ousted by the community.

 Browder says he has no idea who Gillespie is and denies any cronyism, saying he has always hired the most qualified person for the job.

Browder says he does know Walker, but says walker hired him, because he was the best candidate.

Browder has mentioned in the past that some folks were upset there wasn't a superintendent search at the time.

He also says he was not kicked out of of the district, but chose to leave on his own.

“I chose to leave. There was a board election and I chose to leave, because the new board had a different way they wanted to do business and I thought it was better that they had a brand new person that they hired to do that, “said Browder. “Incidentally that’s a great school board that's still there, the new folks included," Browder continued.

If Browder wins the superintendent position he says the first thing on his plate will be making sure children are educated in a positive fashion.