I'm not getting nervous, but ...
Okay, everybody who thinks George Brown is a decent city manager, raise your hand.
That's what I thought. Most people I've talked to think that he treads a pretty fine tightrope and tries to handle things as expeditiously as possible.
But I worry.
There was a blurb a little while ago in the Monroe Snooze that said he asked for an extension of the time required to take up residence in the city. The reason was he couldn't find a house.
THAT"S REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE given the housing market around here.
I blogged about his lack of residency before. Now I left wondering what game is being played here.
I figure:
a) He can't sell his existing home.
b) He wanted to wait till the school year was out.
c) He's fearful about losing his job.
d) He or his family really don't like Monroe.
e) He or his family are just way too entrenched in Adrian.
f) He thinks prices here are too high or the homes are too crummmy.
g) All of the above.
After some reflection and not doubting at all that he really is committed to Monroe, I have a suggestion: Don't make him move here at all.
What's the point?
Or maybe here's a better suggestion: Make him live within the city as soon as every other city employee is required to live in the city.
Good idea or bad?
That's what I thought. Most people I've talked to think that he treads a pretty fine tightrope and tries to handle things as expeditiously as possible.
But I worry.
There was a blurb a little while ago in the Monroe Snooze that said he asked for an extension of the time required to take up residence in the city. The reason was he couldn't find a house.
THAT"S REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE given the housing market around here.
I blogged about his lack of residency before. Now I left wondering what game is being played here.
I figure:
a) He can't sell his existing home.
b) He wanted to wait till the school year was out.
c) He's fearful about losing his job.
d) He or his family really don't like Monroe.
e) He or his family are just way too entrenched in Adrian.
f) He thinks prices here are too high or the homes are too crummmy.
g) All of the above.
After some reflection and not doubting at all that he really is committed to Monroe, I have a suggestion: Don't make him move here at all.
What's the point?
Or maybe here's a better suggestion: Make him live within the city as soon as every other city employee is required to live in the city.
Good idea or bad?
posted by The Observer at 6/10/2007 12:28:00 PM
14 Comments:
Great idea - move as soon as all the other out of towners move. Opps - there is that pesky law that says we can't do that. Oh, well. I don't think it is an issue at this stage.
Mr. Brown is a good city manager. He seems to have a handle on the staff, and it seems that most respect this city manager much more than the previous cm.
I would think that the main reason for not moving here yet is that he has not been able to sell his home in Adrian. Homes in this area and for the most part, much of SE Michigan, are not selling, or are being given away. Wonder if Ms. Manns has sold her house yet? Maybe she would be willing to dump at a bargain for the rotating cm's of Monroe?
It could be that he is waiting for the election in November. With the way Monroe politics have been the previous three elections, I wouldn't blame him. If Iacoangeli runs again, and wins, he will be looking to stack the cm in his favor again, so he can run Monroe as a strong mayor form similar to Detroit and Kwame. He isn't going to fuss with a cm who won't do his wishes. Hopefully if he wins we will have a strong enough council to at least be able to think for themselves and not just go along with his every whim. After all, the mayor is just a double priced councilman, with no more voting power than each councilman.
I would also think that Mr. Brown likes Monroe, as it is a similar city to Adrian. He said somewhere that he and his wife were actively looking for housing, and that his wife likes Monroe, so guess we should take him at his word. I'd hate for him to move here just to have to sell his house next year and lose $25,000. Maybe he should just rent a place for a while, and go home to Adrian on weekends, at least until November.
There are many homes in Monroe which are for sale that are value priced right now, and are not crummy. Hell, maybe he can buy a Historic home, drop a bundle on rehabbing it, and then lose $75,000 when he sells. Nah, just think I'd rent one of those homes instead. I think I'd just start throwing offers right now. There are many foreclosures and decent homes reasonably priced on the MLS system which could probably be picked up way below their asking price. If he needs a good realtor, I could recommend a few, or just one. Maybe I'll give him a call.
Wonder if the city's employees had to actually live in the city, would they make the same decisions/demands that they currently do. The law gives employees the opportunity to live outside of the city, yet still expect the world from their employer. The city has become the best employment opportunity around. It is much more secure than the auto industry. Cracks me up that almost all of the department heads are from outside of the city. I believe that the only ones living in the city are the police chief and the DPS director. How do we, as taxpayers paying their salaries, expect them to look out for their budgets when it really doesn't have an impact on their taxes? Blows me away!
You forgot the fire chief. He lives in the city.
So too does the director of development services - I think. So, too does the director of Parks and Recreations.
Director of Development services??
If you mean Patrick Lewis, he lives in Rockwood.
If you mean Joe Lehman, he lives out of the city as well.
The Parks and Rec dept. head is the Chief of Police, so you are correct.
Sorry about the fire chief, if he does live in the city.
ACTUALLY SOUTH ROCKWOOD. IF YOU ARE GOING TO DISPARAGE SOMEONE AT LEAST GET THE FACTS RIGHT!
I know the Assessor Guich lives in the city.
I wonder if he rapes himself as bad as he rapes the rest of us.
He is truly doing a wonderful job of securing tax revenue for the city.
Anonymous said:
How do we, as taxpayers paying their salaries, expect them to look out for their budgets when it really doesn't have an impact on their taxes? Blows me away!
Your theory doesn't amount to a popcorn fart given the fact that the three biggest budgeted departments, police, fire and DPS, all have department heads that live in the city. All the other departments do not amount to a nickle and some change in budget expenses; which I hate to deprive you of your right to b**ch, probably doesn't amount to 25 cents of your total tax obligation. If I give you a quarter will you shut up and go away?
I agree with the observer: when EVERY OTHER CITY EMPLOYEE, POLICE OFFICERS, POLICE COMMAND OFFICERS, FIRE FIGHTERS, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS and WASTE WATER EMPLOYEES, have to live in the city, then the City Manager should have to as well.
Until then; have a cup of shut the **** up and chill out.
Man - you need to go and take your pills again.
We can discuss anything we want to. If you don't like it, have a cup of shut the f*&^ up and chill out.
We can discuss anything we want to. If you don't like it, have a cup of shut the f*&^ up and chill out.
You seem to get rampantly pissed off when someone challanges what you say! You do not know what you are talking about. That's what comes from talking out your rear!
Shit - why do I have to drive a POS Ford if city employee don't need to live in no city?
Why don't they have no pride in the city they work for? Shit, they just a bunch of free loading jit gel rags.
WHO CARES WHERE HE LIVES!!!!!!
Anonymous said...
Shit - why do I have to drive a POS Ford if city employee don't need to live in no city?
Why don't they have no pride in the city they work for? Shit, they just a bunch of free loading jit gel rags.
HUH?
Post a Comment
<< Home