The City Manager's job description is described in detail in the City Charter. I assume that what the Pilot calls the "job description" is perhaps Council's expectations as to how the City Manager will discharge that job description. That's an important distinction, because some past Council members have thought that they could rewrite the City Manager's job description to suit themselves, without asking the voters to amend the Charter.
For your information, Scott, the TSA staff at YVRA do not report to Dave Ruppel, and he has no authority over them. Your criticism of him is misplaced and grossly unfair.
It was a wise person who first said "When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you need to do is stop digging." All eight of these admirable projects constitute more money holes. Once they are paid for by the accommodation tax, how will they be maintained? It's all well and good to call for a fee that will make these self-sufficient, but I'll bet that doesn't happen. Don't we have enough stuff? Shouldn't we concentrate such resources as we have on taking care of those before we add more? Perhaps we should call a time-out and not spend the accommodation tax largesse until we have a solid plan in place that provides for maintaining all of the excellent amenities that we have now and that we may add in the future.
Hear, hear! Nancy has been a model citizen/local government official. Her courage in carrying on through her serious medical issues has been amazing. Could we clone her?
The International City-County Manager Association (ICMA) and the National League of Cities (NLC) both can provide reams of information about the Council-Manager system and other systems such as strong mayor, weak mayor, etc. Naturally, my preference is the Council-Manager system that Steamboat embraced in the 1970's. The Council-Manager system is the most widely used local government system in the United States. It originated in the 1920's as a reaction against widespread corruption, nepotism, cronyism and other hurtful "isms." It combines volunteer politicians (elected officials) with a professional, non-political manager whose job is to carry out the elected officials' vision (if they have one) and, at the same time, supervise the essential day-to-day operations of the city. It's a fine system, and it shouldn't be thrown out just because some elected officials weren't smart enough to use it properly.
It's time -- way past time -- to consider charging a modest fee for using all of the routes -- something like a dollar for riding all day. It probably won't pay the entire costs, but it would avoid this sort of last-minute decision to cut service just before the busy season. I can't believe that we couldn't figure out how to do it for next winter.
Horrible idea! There are good reasons why the Council/Manager system has been the most widely used form of local government in the United States since the 1920's. It allows elected locals to be the collective "visionary," and a non-partisan professional manager to carry out the vision. Having a mayor would simply bring the same nasty, dysfunctional partisanship that has started to cripple our federal and state governments.
Simply the best. Steamboat has never had a woman city manager, as far as I know, so I'd sort of hoped that Wendy might add that to her impressive resume before she retired, but she was so good at filling the acting city manager role that she didn't need the city manager title. However, when the city next looks for a new city manager (many years from now, I hope), they would be smart to look for a Wendy.
Paul Hughes 2 months ago on Our View: Steps in the right direction
Our View: Steps in the right direction
The City Manager's job description is described in detail in the City Charter. I assume that what the Pilot calls the "job description" is perhaps Council's expectations as to how the City Manager will discharge that job description. That's an important distinction, because some past Council members have thought that they could rewrite the City Manager's job description to suit themselves, without asking the voters to amend the Charter.
Paul Hughes 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Colorado's US senators want Yampa Valley Regional Airport scanning machine replaced
Colorado's US senators want Yampa Valley Regional Airport scanning machine replaced
For your information, Scott, the TSA staff at YVRA do not report to Dave Ruppel, and he has no authority over them. Your criticism of him is misplaced and grossly unfair.
Paul Hughes 3 months, 2 weeks ago on Routt County agriculture advocate recipient of Hazie Werner Award
Routt County agriculture advocate recipient of Hazie Werner Award
Excellent choice, super lady, wonderful person. You go, girl.
Paul Hughes 3 months, 3 weeks ago on Our View: With lodging tax revenue, don't bite the hand that feeds
Our View: With lodging tax revenue, don't bite the hand that feeds
It was a wise person who first said "When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you need to do is stop digging." All eight of these admirable projects constitute more money holes. Once they are paid for by the accommodation tax, how will they be maintained? It's all well and good to call for a fee that will make these self-sufficient, but I'll bet that doesn't happen. Don't we have enough stuff? Shouldn't we concentrate such resources as we have on taking care of those before we add more? Perhaps we should call a time-out and not spend the accommodation tax largesse until we have a solid plan in place that provides for maintaining all of the excellent amenities that we have now and that we may add in the future.
Paul Hughes 4 months, 2 weeks ago on Our View: Nancy Stahoviak's service deserving of celebration
Our View: Nancy Stahoviak's service deserving of celebration
Hear, hear! Nancy has been a model citizen/local government official. Her courage in carrying on through her serious medical issues has been amazing. Could we clone her?
Paul Hughes 7 months ago on Rob Douglas: Roberts needed to go
Rob Douglas: Roberts needed to go
The International City-County Manager Association (ICMA) and the National League of Cities (NLC) both can provide reams of information about the Council-Manager system and other systems such as strong mayor, weak mayor, etc. Naturally, my preference is the Council-Manager system that Steamboat embraced in the 1970's. The Council-Manager system is the most widely used local government system in the United States. It originated in the 1920's as a reaction against widespread corruption, nepotism, cronyism and other hurtful "isms." It combines volunteer politicians (elected officials) with a professional, non-political manager whose job is to carry out the elected officials' vision (if they have one) and, at the same time, supervise the essential day-to-day operations of the city. It's a fine system, and it shouldn't be thrown out just because some elected officials weren't smart enough to use it properly.
Paul Hughes 7 months, 3 weeks ago on City eyes major cuts to free bus service to balance 2013 budget
City eyes major cuts to free bus service to balance 2013 budget
It's time -- way past time -- to consider charging a modest fee for using all of the routes -- something like a dollar for riding all day. It probably won't pay the entire costs, but it would avoid this sort of last-minute decision to cut service just before the busy season. I can't believe that we couldn't figure out how to do it for next winter.
Paul Hughes 7 months, 3 weeks ago on paulhughes
paulhughes
Holy Moley! I actually agree with Rob Douglas!
Paul Hughes 8 months, 1 week ago on paulhughes
paulhughes
Horrible idea! There are good reasons why the Council/Manager system has been the most widely used form of local government in the United States since the 1920's. It allows elected locals to be the collective "visionary," and a non-partisan professional manager to carry out the vision. Having a mayor would simply bring the same nasty, dysfunctional partisanship that has started to cripple our federal and state governments.
Paul Hughes 2 years, 1 month ago on paulhughes
paulhughes
Simply the best. Steamboat has never had a woman city manager, as far as I know, so I'd sort of hoped that Wendy might add that to her impressive resume before she retired, but she was so good at filling the acting city manager role that she didn't need the city manager title. However, when the city next looks for a new city manager (many years from now, I hope), they would be smart to look for a Wendy.