*Overheard*
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
It's no secret that Brandon Gingras, Camelot's City Manager, has his issues with the City Council. They continually clash over issues and he has a tendency to not quite deliver on their requests. However, when a City Council member approached me this morning and told me that he had been overheard complaining about how much he dislikes his job to say that I was surprised would be an understatement.
I think it is safe to say that the community as a whole would like our City Manager to enjoy his or her job and relish the fact that he or she has an opportunity to help Camelot like no one else. I'd like to say that if Mr. Gingras takes note and adjusts his attitude that the city will move on, but perhaps it's too late for changed attitudes and time for a new appointment.
9 comments:
Personally, I think Brandon does a good job as our City Manager with voicing his opinions. It is too bad that he does not really have much say in how the council votes, which could be the source of a lot of the controversy.
As far as what someone overheard, or what they thought they overheard, I hope that the city does not take this comment too much to heart. We've all had bad days or moments where we've said things we don't mean. This could be one of those cases.
Josie Frye
Clerk of Council
I think Brandon is experiencing a bit of the frustration we all feel when things do not go as we would wish, and unfortuately, being in the limelight as often as he is, Brandon gets more of the media coverage than some of the less vocal but no less opinionated citizens of Camelot.
It has also been difficult for Mr. Gingras to "deliver" on the council's requests when the council is often divided in its own opinions. I think Camelot needs to work on coming together more as a community and not seeing these meetings as something to just serve their own interests.
I think the City Council has put a lot of pressure on the City Manager. Perhaps they council members can do some of their own research on certain issues, considering they get to make the decisions for Camelot, and not rely as much on the City Manager. This might make things easier for Camelot.
I agree with the comments above. Brandon has done an exceptional job so far as city manager. He and the council may have their differences, but that is what a democracy is all about. Everyone just needs to continue doing their job to the best of their ability to help the city. Things will begin to work themselves out in the long run.
Nate Felver
President, Police Benevolent Association
I personally agree with the above statements in saying that Mr. Gingras is under a lot of pressure and is feeling the frustration that we all feel in seeing our council divided most of the time. It has to be difficult being in a position of authority but really having no say on what goes on in the council. I also agree with the fact that Camelot needs to work on coming together as a community and focusing on what is best for all the citizens of Camelot in the long term.
I have also felt this contention in the last couple sessions. It will be good that the City Council and the City Manager sit together and solve extra differences because it seems like there are. However, if it’s only a personality clash or anything like that the city manager should work on that and try to be as professional as possible and leave that to the side.
I also feel that the counil members put too much pressure on Mr. Gingras. For example, at todays meeting the manager was asked to come up with the correct balance after some things would be included and others excluded. Granted the manager was incorrect on his total amount but was there really a need when two of the council member had already come up with a number on their own and then proceeded to tell the council manager of his faultiness. The council should think about doing some things on their own. A little research on their part will make a drastic improvement.
I feel that as the City Manager, Brandon, has done a very good job. He is constantly put on the stop by the City Council in front of people in the community. I feel as though some of the things that are requested of him, may not be a part of his job. I also feel that some of the tasks pushed on him could be avoided if some of the council members did a little bit of research before coming into the meetings.
I believe that Mr. Gingras has been doing very well at his job. The reason though that we the council put so much on him is b/c and I quote "The city manager is appointed by council, and serves at their pleasure." It is in his job description to do what we as ask of him. I also feel that we do not ask very much of him, and when we do he delivers with more then what we had planned on, with the exception of today dealing with the budget, he has been very percise. The reason that I believe he did not come up with the correct numbers was due to the fact that we as the council were not clear and consise when asking him to deliver the new budget. Also in his job description it says "Responsibility for the preparation and presentation to council of the city budget." Thus his role in delivering the new numbers of the budget. As I had previously stated he is doing a wonderful job, and the council is very pleased with his efforts and could not ask for a better city manager.
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