Sunday, October 7, 2007

We must PUSH for a City Administrator

We have had two to three workshop meetings since the August election. None have mentioned the "CA word", let alone has this important issue been added to a workshop agenda.

This is important if Overland has any hope to move forward. We desperately need the expertise required in areas of grant writing, municipal law and union negotiations. (Expertise--what a novel idea!)

Aside from expertise, we need the continuity. A CA would allow the city to transcend politics. Currently, every two years we can change dynamics of the city council and every four, the mayor’s office. Having a CA will allow these transitions to be as seamless as possible administratively.

It might be easier to pass tax initiatives if we had a CA. I think people would be more trusting of City Hall that is not beholden to campaign contribution favors than they would be trusting of the politicians.

It is our responsibility to hold the council’s feet to the fire on the hiring of a CA. I propose that we contact our city council members and demand this be added to a workshop agenda this month!!

7 comments:

Overland Muckraker said...

We must also demand an expedient and non-partisan search (e.g. East-West Gateway).

I have heard [I know, it's rumor, but I wouldn’t know how to begin to verify this] that Schneider has a buddy who is currently in college to become a city administrator/ manager. I can’t believe they would bring cronyism to this job, as we so obviously need someone with experience.

If true, it does show why we need an outside firm narrowing down the candidate field.

PTT said...

JEFFERSON CITY — Rebuffing the Republican Party's request to wait until the Legislature handles the issue, the Missouri Ethics Commission took a tentative step Thursday toward requiring millions of campaign dollars to be returned to donors.

Rest of story in Post.

Nellie Bly said...

Like his personal property taxes, I am sure that MT Schneider will not be sending back funds until he is forced to do such.

onelayer said...

No, first he'll plead a hardship case.

Edgar Casey said...

Sounds like the OBA has come up with 5 points...which are the identical points on which Conlon based her mayoral platforms over the past two years.

What an amazing coincidence! What are the odds of that happening?

PTT said...

Boy Edgar, the OBA is really thinking out-of-the-box on this one:

1. Have a city representative pay attention to OBA.

2. A business license packet that provides necessary information to do business in Overland.

3. A statement of support from the association for the hiring of a city administrator, although no position on rights, powers and responsibilities. How can the OBA say a City Manager is necessary without a taking a position on exactly what it is about a City Manager that makes the position necessary?

4. Revitalize the Overland Business District, which includes the Woodson Road, Page Avenue and Lackland Avenue corridors, establishing a City Center Plaza, and reviewing and revising the city's master plan through the participation of the business community at town hall meetings.

Milk is great, we all like milk.

5. A list of vacant business properties that would include such information as square footage, location, zoning designation and parking.

Can't make much fun of this one, but so what? The Mayor has hired the person responsible for the current master plan to design another plan. That is classic American business management, when someone fails let them try try again.

By the way, I forgot to add that I get all of my information from the fine reporting of Buck Collier. Woodward and Bernstein eat your heart out.

suzyjax said...

Perhaps we should come up with a Five Points for OVCC2.

I know I would like to have a city representative pay attention.