Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Whose the Boss?


A Commissioner puts something on the Agenda. It is publicized as ON the Agenda. Agenda sheets are in the back of the room. When it comes time to discuss the item, no--it is NOT on the Agenda because it was not read into the record in the beginning of the meeting. The Mayor overlooked this as did everyone else on the dais, still assuming because it is written on a printed agenda sheet, passed out to the public, that it is ON the Agenda.

Commissioner Jennings then calls for a vote accepting it on to the Agenda. Why was it taken OFF the agenda in the first place, unbeknown to a Commissioner who requested it? Rachael Bach wanted it off. Bach, in collusion with the Interim City Manager and probably with the blessing of the City Clerk, took it off! Rachael Bach was "conveniently" not there last night to give her reasons for insubordination.

Now folks, this is outrageous! Staff continues to jerk this Commission around and the Commission continues to be diplomatic about it. Behind the scenes are some P&Z members whispering in Bach's ear. Commissioner Mulvehill was very respectful when she queried the agenda item and its removal. The Staff continues to be disrespectful to the public. Take LW Utilities as a prime example of employee insubordination...treating people like dirt and talking to them in condescending ways and plain out not telling the truth. I say, off with their heads! This would NEVER be allowed to happen in the corporate world. NEVER! That person would be gone with NO severance and rightly so. There are millions of people looking for jobs right now.

We have another employee, our Engineer, who was fired because his boss didn’t like him answering a Commissioner’s direct question that could have saved our City $50,000. He was fired for it. We have lost a highly respected engineer in the field because he answered a question by a Commissioner. How stupid can it get? Well, it is $50,000 dollars stupid of your money and a deplorable way to treat a valued employee. Who was behind this? Rebecca Mattey, the Utilities Director and most likely the Interim City Manager.

Having a new city manager here this coming Monday will be the best thing that ever happened to this City. Perhaps respect for our Commission and the public will be a priority. The Commission has every right in the world to put something on the agenda. When a Commissioner says do something, do it! Don’t spit in her face, staff. Do it. If not—bye, bye and may it be soon.