Here are some thoughts on two of the hottest topics in town:
€ From all indications, it seems clear that Auburn City Council is determined once again to pick an out-of-towner as city manager. Of course, the final decision hasn't been made so there's still hope that council members won't engage in their usual routine of voting strictly along party lines. That would mean that interim manager Michael Long will be out and another outsider will be in.
As expected, the selection process has passed the five-month mark and continues to plod along, spending our money, wasting our time, doing anything but admitting that we've already got the best man for the job right under our noses. But they don't think it's so important that the right thing gets done for Auburn; it's much more important that the right people get the credit.
So we'll keep this useless, endless thing going until even the politicians get sick of it and bring in another city manager who doesn't know a thing about Auburn. There's never a guarantee, but it seems to me that, all things being equal, we'll do better with a person who has local ties and a strong personal interest in doing a good job for our community.
€ The Good Old Boys Club in Auburn politics is crumbling around us and I think it's a good thing - provided that city council gets into action quickly. Frank DeOrio, Auburn municipal utilities director, recently resigned, making him the fifth high-level city official to quit since June. Our fire chief is gone, former City Manager John Salomone got out while the gettin' was good, our city planner left to work for the county, and the assistant fire chief left for the private sector.
Councilor Thomas McNabb wants to know why they are leaving. “That's a good question to ask,” he says.
Here's a good answer, councilman. The old game is up and everybody knows it. Taxpayers wanted to disband the good-old-boys and you're holding things up. We've asked for the partisan politics to end. We're sick of the backroom deals and we won't stand for the same old nonsense that has run the taxpayers into the poorhouse.
Any manager who comes as a partisan player is already set up for failure. The people of Auburn aren't stupid and we won't put up with your political groupies. We need solid representation. Some may think we're a free babysitting service but it's time to grow up and do your job so we can get on with our own matters. But if you need us we'll be there.
Ducayne's column runs
Tuesdays in The Citizen and she can be reached at
sacredheart6005@hotmail.com
As expected, the selection process has passed the five-month mark and continues to plod along, spending our money, wasting our time, doing anything but admitting that we've already got the best man for the job right under our noses. But they don't think it's so important that the right thing gets done for Auburn; it's much more important that the right people get the credit.
So we'll keep this useless, endless thing going until even the politicians get sick of it and bring in another city manager who doesn't know a thing about Auburn. There's never a guarantee, but it seems to me that, all things being equal, we'll do better with a person who has local ties and a strong personal interest in doing a good job for our community.
€ The Good Old Boys Club in Auburn politics is crumbling around us and I think it's a good thing - provided that city council gets into action quickly. Frank DeOrio, Auburn municipal utilities director, recently resigned, making him the fifth high-level city official to quit since June. Our fire chief is gone, former City Manager John Salomone got out while the gettin' was good, our city planner left to work for the county, and the assistant fire chief left for the private sector.
Councilor Thomas McNabb wants to know why they are leaving. “That's a good question to ask,” he says.
Here's a good answer, councilman. The old game is up and everybody knows it. Taxpayers wanted to disband the good-old-boys and you're holding things up. We've asked for the partisan politics to end. We're sick of the backroom deals and we won't stand for the same old nonsense that has run the taxpayers into the poorhouse.
Any manager who comes as a partisan player is already set up for failure. The people of Auburn aren't stupid and we won't put up with your political groupies. We need solid representation. Some may think we're a free babysitting service but it's time to grow up and do your job so we can get on with our own matters. But if you need us we'll be there.
Ducayne's column runs
Tuesdays in The Citizen and she can be reached at
sacredheart6005@hotmail.com
The Citizens' Say
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