A few weeks ago the Shawnee Mission Post ran an article saying that staff leaving city government was the fault of the city council. My first impression was that the two young ladies who wrote the article needed to do things. First, take a class in Government 101, and then really do some historical research on Shawnee's city gjovernment.
One expression that has been bandied about is "diviseveness", including by our perjury committing mayor. Well ladies, were you aware that the counci is a legislative body. True, not as many members as the state legislature or the congress, but still a legislative body. And, guess what? Legislative bodies are made up of people. Yes, people, who have different ideas and opinions. And yes, because of that they will be divided on issues.
They also mention, again, former city manager Nolan Sunderman who left the city because his vision for the city was not the same vision as the council's. I covered this before. The city manager is an employee subordinate to the city council. The council (who is answerable to the citizens) sets the vision, not the city manager. Basically the city manager is supposed to do what he is told. Sunderman apparently thought he could get away with what his predecessor had for many years and do what he wanted. One of the more egregious acts of insubordination on his part was when the council wanted him to come to them with the info on a 2 mill levy reduction in property taxes. Sunderman took it upon himself to bring forth the info on a 1/2 mill levy reduction. The council had him redo that and they passed a 2 mill reduction.
Sunderman's predecessor had for many years basically done what she wanted to do. The council, while she was in that position basically abrogated their responsibilities and just rubber stamped anything that she and staff brought forth. If that is the way that city government is supposed to be run then we don't need a council. Think about that. Why have the voters changed the face of the council from one that just rubber stamps anything to one that wants answers, explanations, etc.?
That now brings us to the various comments about the council not respecting staff. Horse s**t. This council has great respect for staff. We have some excellent folks on staff at city hall. Staff is composed of people. Human beings with human frailties. It is the council's responibility to review what is brought forth and then make decisions based on their evaluations, not to just willy nilly rubber stamp everything. Remember, the council needs to answer to their bosses.....the citizens.
The article mentions the departure of Julie Breithaupt who left to go into private industry. She had been the city's communications manager and then shortly prior to her departure had been promoted to communications director, with a communications manager subordinate to her. Originally she was attending most of the city's various public meetings (which are held at night) and had to be available 24/7/365 if there were inquiries that required a city response. When she got promoted the responsibilities of PIO for the PD and FD were put on her plate. That could mean expanded 24/7/365 accessibility. So now the question begs to be asked: Was her departure really because of the council or was it because as a young mother she wanted to spend more time with her family and did not want the to be on call 24/7/365? Anybody ask her for an honest answer to that question? Could be interesting!!!
Whenever there is a major change in the philosophical make up of a legislative body there will always be staff departures. This is not new.
Something else I noticed. It is my opinion that if one was to print out the Shawnee Mission Post and stand it on its edge it the sheet of paper might have a tendency to lean to the left, instead of just standing straight up with no leaning.
