June 1
It doesn't pay to be critical of the Bos, there will be consequences, as witnessed last night at the monthly BOA meeting. How so? The annual appointment/reappointment to the City's various Boards and Commissions occurred last night. Target #1? Yours truly. My term on the Planning Commission expired and I expressed my desire to be reappointed (I've been on Planning since 2003). Jerry indicated his desire to give me the boot in a face to face meeting about three weeks ago, and reaffirmed that intention (in a City Hall discussion) last week. His rationale? He has a rule that limits family appointments to no more than three...at least that is how this started last year. Wife Lisa (Park Board) was up for reappointment last year (She has been on Parks for ten years) when Jerry started this nonsense. My two appointments (BZA/Planning) put our family over Jerry's two per family rule. When faced with sticky, an uncomplimentary battle, Bos relented, agreeing my resignation from one of my two appointments was not necessary to accommodate Lisa's reappointment.
Fast forward to last night. As documented here, I have been critical of Bos on some of his actions or lack thereof from time to time. One of the more recent situations was the ridiculous construction of a home clearly built outside of city code in the West Ridge subdivision. I documented and discussed during the last Planning Commission meeting (See "The Answer Is" post on March 3rd.) The Mayor didn't seem to enjoy the discussion at the time, nor did he own up to the situation...he let George take the hit instead. Nice.
Jerry did allow me to comment during the proceedings last night. Here is a condensed version.
- I have served Planning since 2003
- City Code 400.010 allows up to 15 members on Planning, with my appointment there are still openings to be filled with "new blood"
- My holding two appointments BZA/Planning is not unusual nor is our family "three".
- Examples of others with two or more appointments (# of appts noted first) include:
4-Lyle Phillips, EAG, Parks, MS4, Curfew/Alcohol
2-Jeff Goodwin, Planning, Plans Review
2-Kristy Lawrence, Historical, EAG
4-Marianne & Joe Ennett, Historical, Treasurer, EAG, MS$
2-Bert Woods, Plans Review, Codes Enforcement
3-Carol & Bill Hornung, Airport, Audit, EAG
2-Jim Miller & Ursula Terrasi, EAG
2-Lyne Hinkle, EAG, Airport
2-Tony & Pat White, EAG
2-De & Ron Surma Parks, EAG
2-Augie & Pam Grasis EAG
Who appointed all these people in violating Jerry's own appointment rule anyway? In each case, with the exception of the Moratz, it was...Jerry.
Jerry's newest version of the rule was that I am on "important" committees which makes it different. Oops, sorry folks to those on lesser committees. Who is taking my vacated seat? POJ (Pal of Jerry) Dave Folkdahl. (The vote was 3-1, Finn dissenting on the Planning appointments)
As MasterCard says, "Priceless".
12 comments:
Ok, so we don't value competence and we don't like feedback, even when it is critical. What's wrong with that? Bos continues his stumbling and fumbling, creating committees to make up for the void in leadership he created. Life is good at Weatherby Lake!
Jerry puts a big smile on his ineffectiveness and good ole boys network. Even his dairy dealings have "gone away".
If you Google DFA you will see the tribulations of the former CFO continue, he is not out of the woods yet, by a long shot.
Glad to see you go, Mike. This is fantastic news!!!
Another travesty of an inept Mayor and BOA. Now I know why there are so many 'For Sale' signs around. Better get out while the getting is good. So the mantra is - you cross 'ol Jerry and you'll pay dearly.
Hey everybody, I have an idea. Let's all call Jerry and express our outrage that he didn't re-appoint Mike to the Planning Committee. How about a petition?
Jerry would be throwing away the petition behind his back while smiling to your face. He's as ineffective as you can get.
6-3 10:11pm ---Isn't that EXACTLY what York did a few years back (not his last term in office the one prior) Oh wait York shredded documents before he threw them away
Better check your source, not sure a disgruntled employee and rumor monger is the best, unless of course you observed this yourself.
Uh 10:11, you were also probably believing the whispers of financial impropriety with York too until after the election when the independent auditors gave Weatherby Lake as high of praise as they could. The whole ugly affair quite ironic given Jerry's past financial dealings.
Oh, cry me a river, Mike. Maybe we can get someone on the committee now who can say something different than "No", and who doesn't brag to any and everyone that he has never passed any application for a variance. BTW, your multiple board member info is as usual, somewhat suspect. There is a difference, certainly as I see it, in being an advisor to a board and an appointed member.
Missed you Tea Doff. Hopefully this will help you. I don't think you have attended many planning commission meetings, the attendance has been sparse and all votes are in the minutes...so your "No" perception is fiction, not fact. Take the time to go to City Hall and make a request and examine the record. Unanimous "Yea" votes have been quite common, with me in attendance.
I'm not sure what is suspect in the appointments. I had two face to face discussions with Jerry prior to the last BOA, his only concern was with the # of apointments per family, nothing more. I told him I would come to the meeting to give my point of view. It was only at the BOA meeting that he came up with a new reason/excuse..."important boards" Now he didn't define those (if you were in the audience you would remember), but he did point out the ones I am on are "important". The other interesting point...if he has all these people interested in serving, why would he leave at least two spots on Planning open? Ask Jerry.
While you are chatting to Jerry, ask him about the new home in WestRidge debacle. The Planning Commission was critical of the Mayor and staff for allowing, what in many members mind, was a home to be built way out of code. If you haven't looked at the home, go look. Go to City Hall, request to look at the plans, the application and see for yourself. Can you explain it? Nah, didn't think so.
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