September 8, 2011
by Jason R. Raines
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This week the Sunnyside City Manager tried to float an organization chart at the City Council workshop, but did not get very far with it. There were problems with the chart that was handed out in the council agenda packets, and he presented another one at the actual meeting. Since I listened to audio of the meeting, I never saw what he presented to council.
Still, what he did present was less than enthusiastically received. It seems that he was putting new positions on the chart, and having new reporting/supervisory schemes laid out that he has never brought before council. Apparently, Mr. Gervasi is not aware that the county prosecutor is already investigating the city for these types of actions. Only the city council can create positions, authorize pay for them, or increase the pay for existing positions. You see, our form of government requires that ELECTED representatives authorize the spending of money. APPOINTED officials, such as the city manager, must answer to the ELECTED representatives.
This kind of reminds me of something I saw tonight. My six year old was playing soccer. It was exciting, and everyone seemed to be having fun. The kids were learning about the sport. Since most of the kids are still learning the fundamentals of the sport at this age, they tend not to play “positions”, but they all instinctively run after the ball. The swarms of dust being kicked up surround a cacophony of kicking, as players from both teams all try to individually get control of the ball. With so many players gathered around, spectators are left with a view of the cluster, and can not easily see what is happening in the middle. If you have ever played soccer, or watched young ones playing, you know what I am talking about.
Referencing this swarming that takes place, one mother told me she calls it “beehive ball.” This is because it looks like bees buzzing around a hive.
When considering what is going on at City Hall, it appears that the city manager, and some of the staff, are not playing their assigned “positions.” Instead, they are trying to seize control of the ball and take it in the direction they want to go. This is all well and good, until you realize that the city manager and staff are not the queen bees. They are workers. Although they supervise others, they are still drones. They need to realize who it is they are serving.
The city council is the only group of people that will protect taxpayers from the beehive at City Hall. Without a city council, city staff do not have to answer to anyone.
We need city council members who don’t think citizens are a nuisance, and city staff that thinks council members are not an inconvenience.
The item was dropped from discussion, and will be brought back for another workshop or meeting.
Ultimately though, it is the citizens that are in charge. They will express their desire about the direction they want the city to go through the ballot box.
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