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July 8, 2010 Opinions |
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—Editorial—
This We Think...
City Position Cuts
City Manager Steve Bogart recently resigned because the City Council disregarded his proposed budget recommendations and instead adopted changes that resulted in four employees losing their jobs and the city turning over economic development to the county.
Whether or not shifting economic development over to the county was a good move, only time will tell. But we were disheartened to see that 12-year veteran for the City, Jennifer Watkin’s position was terminated because of this budget move. As assistant city manager and director of the community and economic development department she has been an instrumental cog in the last decade of whatever wheels of success the City has turned out. And we wish Bogart would have had an opporunity to do his job.
When deciding which positions to cut for the budget perhaps city councilors should have considered cutting the city manager’s position since city councilors don’t appear to utilize the experience and recommendations of the person they hire for city manager anyway...
—Letters To The Editor—
A Loss at City Hall — Politics 4, Citizens 0
To The Record-Courier:
The forced departure of Jennifer Watkins from city hall is a tragic loss. Her in-depth knowledge of local government administration and her willingness to help with a cheerful attitude have long been appreciated by the citizens of Baker City.
For many years she has been the go-to person to resolve issues, has spearheaded community development, written many successful grants, provided the calm during frequent political storms and has represented Baker City with credibility throughout the region.
It appears that she is being washed away by political undercurrents that are sweeping the town backward.
City Manager Steve Bogart is to be complimented on his strong stand in the face of a mandated budget that he felt compromised the city by eliminating key departments and key people such as Jennifer Watkins.
To Mr. Bogart's credit he refused to be involved in a direction that he believed to be detrimental to the community, one he could not manage with integrity. He is widely respected for his high ethical standards and solid government management experience. Steve’s departure will leave a large void, and yet again, another city manager exits under duress.
One wonders if the budget's structure is more than cost cutting to increase the ending fund balance; is it also a thinly disguised directive to cause targeted personnel changes?
It is very distressing that capable government officials have been struck down by the axis of political turmoil.
Jake Jacobs
Baker City
Parade And Flag Kudos
To The Record-Courier:
Thanks to the sponsors of the window flags that were included in the newspaper (Baker City Herald).
I'm especially thankful for the flag etiquette shown on reverse. I hope residents take time to read the rules, as I've noticed several flags displayed incorrectly lately.
It was eons ago, when I was in 6th grade that we were taught the rules, but I still remember that the "field of Blue" is always hung to the left, when displayed.
Another subject: Kudos to Lynette Perry and her helpers who provided impetus for the July 3 Kiddies Parade. These events don't "just happen," but take much planning and organizing.
I liked the idea of SIDEWALK parade better than having the children tread middle of Main street. Children beamed with pride, bathed in security, as parents accompanied them.
From shimmering sparklers of Red, White & Blue to the occasional bark of a leashed pet dog, participants brought joy to the onlookers. Continuous clapping rewarded them.
In 2 weeks, spectators will again be treated to sights of a parade, as the focus on Jubilee parade unfolds July 17.
Phyllis Badgley
Baker City
Submitting City Manager Turnover To ‘Guiness Book of World Records’
To The Record-Courier:
Congratulations to our micro-managing city council. I am submitting their record of city manager turnover to the “Guiness Book of World Records.” Another first for Baker City!
Just think — in a little over a year, they have fired a city manager for being rude and hot tempered less than a month after praising his management skills, Some of what he accomplished before his unceremonious firing was to: 1.) Solve the police housing dilemma. 2.) Save the cost of a full time attorney. 3.) Convince Mr. Chance to come on as a city planner and revise our antiquated city code and outline ideas for future city growth. As a reward, four councilors avoided any discussion or citizen input to the surprise and chagrin of the other three councilors, fired him.
Since Mr. Brocato’s firing they have: 1.) Offered the manager’s position to a candidate that their search team recommended they not hire. 2.) Indicated to interim manager Collins that he might not be welcome any longer. 3.) Micro-managed Manager Bogart to the point where they adopted Councilor Bonebrake’s budget changes over his, hence his resignation. 4.) They let the county take over funds from the Transient Lodging Tax in the process turning down over $130,000 in economic development in order to create a large savings in cash carry over. Undoubtedly, they are encouraged by the fact that savings banks are paying a little over 1/2 of 1 percent in interest! 5.) By adopting the larger cash carry over, they axed four jobs including that of Assistant City Manager Jennifer Watkins, the city’s most valuable employee, due to her wide range of knowledge about city matters.
The items listed above are only a few of the good things they have done for us.
In closing, I would like to make one prediction and two suggestions for city voters to ponder before the November election.
Prediction: Our council by a vote of 5 to 2 will opt to settle the Brocato lawsuit out of court saving us $100,000 or so and avoid the embarrassment of a trial in federal court.
Suggestion 1: Return to the pre-50’s mayor council government — no city manager with Mayor Dorrah in charge and Ms. Calder as vice-mayor.
Suggestion 2: For an advanced preview of what we can expect Baker city to look like under the leadership of this “Dynamic Duo” please read about Thalia, Texas in Larry McMurtry’s novel “The Last Picture Show.”
John Heriza
Baker City
Garbage, Noise And Crosswalks
To The Record-Courier:
I have noticed in our neighborhood local garbage bins, for our area and others as well, that should not be getting cluttered up with garbage of bigger items and taken to the sanitary site. This is, by the way, free of charge by calling them and asking them which items can be taken, which will include most items. This can make life much easier for the tenants in our local neighborhood to be able to get their garbage in before pick up day. We have noticed in a particular area there is wood debris. Why can’t the tenants take it out to the dump rather than cause rates to go up? This is filling up the bins and if this is continued, it wouldn’t surprise me to see garbage rates go up because of this. Why should we take on any more on the account of certain individuals doing just that and not charge the specific ones who are making it a problem?
Another issue is the noise that we have had to deal with especially after 10 p.m. in the evening (saws, and not to mention foul language is loud enough that kids and all neighbors around them can hear all this).
For those who are hard working people looking for a hard night’s sleep, maybe a curfew hour should be put in place for our local trailer parks? Never had a problem with noise until now. Beats me!
So hopefully something will be done before school starts this fall.
There are several kids in the area of H Street and a bus has been stopping to pick the children up. There are no crosswalks, no slowing down signs of children playing during the summer, and as far as I am concerned it is an accident waiting to happen. Someone will get hurt. Cars drive thru here so fast that it can be a little nervy to even walk across just to get your mail. I would like to see some crosswalks in place. If anyone cares to look in to this matter we face every day on this street, let alone animals getting hit, and not to mention people still talking on their cell phones, it would be appreciated. No public safety is present. It would be a sense of relief for those in the general area.
Coffee Anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City, Ore.
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