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CITY MANAGER'S JOB

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Cooper View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cooper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 29 2014 at 1:53pm
In Middletown, truth, honesty, character, and achievement are considered a liability, no an asset. Coverup is paramount. Butt kissing also very important consideration,and bowing like Obama does when meeting others.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Iron Man Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 29 2014 at 4:40pm
I want to know what we can do as citizens to ensure that the most unqualified and unprofessional candidate is picked? We have a reputation to keep. I'm hoping for a cross between Ron Olson and Bill Becker. Dead
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over the hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 29 2014 at 4:59pm
Well Ironman , what you might get is a cross between Les Landen and Doug Adkins. Which is far worse because those two think they know everything about the law even if they have to make it up a long the way which they often do.They think your ignorance of the law is a perfect cover for their bait and switch,bending and just plain blatant disregard for the law. Good luck with that.....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 409 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2014 at 5:11pm
City names five manager finalists

MIDDLETOWN —
Two familiar names are among the five finalists for the Middletown city manager’s position, the Journal-News has learned.

Doug Adkins and Les Landen, the city’s community revitalization manager and law director, respectively, were named two of the five finalists today to replace Judy Gilleland, who is retiring in early June, said Noah Powers, the city’s human resource manager.

The city received 29 applicants for the position and the field was narrowed to five, Powers said.

The other finalists: Cathy Davison, former city manager, Steubenville, Ohio; Jane Howington, city manager, Newport, R.I.; and Willie Norfleet, city manager, Socorro, Texas.

Powers said the candidates will participate in a two-day session on May 16-17. The process will include an open forum in which each candidate will have an opportunity to meet with interested Middletown citizens May 17. Those sessions will begin at 8 a.m. and finish by 1 p.m.

In addition, Lawrence Mulligan Jr., the mayor, and city council members will have an opportunity to interview each candidate, and each candidate will tour the city and meet the city staff.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2014 at 5:11pm

Posted: 4:55 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2014

City names five manager finalists

MIDDLETOWN Two familiar names are among the five finalists for the Middletown city manager’s position, the Journal-News has learned.

Doug Adkins and Les Landen, the city’s community revitalization manager and law director, respectively, were named two of the five finalists today to replace Judy Gilleland, who is retiring in early June, said Noah Powers, the city’s human resource manager.

    The city received 29 applicants for the position and the field was narrowed to five, Powers said.

    The other finalists: Cathy Davison, former city manager, Steubenville, Ohio; Jane Howington, city manager, Newport, R.I.; and Willie Norfleet, city manager, Socorro, Texas.

Powers said the candidates will participate in a two-day session on May 16-17. The process will include an open forum in which each candidate will have an opportunity to meet with interested Middletown citizens May 17. Those sessions will begin at 8 a.m. and finish by 1 p.m.

    In addition, Lawrence Mulligan Jr., the mayor, and city council members will have an opportunity to interview each candidate, and each candidate will tour the city and meet the city staff.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2014 at 7:40pm
Douggie and Leslie. No surprises here, right? The other three current and former city managers......they don't know it yet, but they better have their track shoes on to learn about the special agendas they will be working under as directed by the inner circle. Other than Douggie and Leslie, they have no clue what is coming at them as to expectations. Poor souls.

Not to worry. Think now, that it's a lock for one of our two current jesters? Are the other three dead in the water before they even arrive in the city for the inquisition? If they're smart, after they hear the message and see the condition of the city, they might want to turn around and get back on the plane. For sure, they'll want to leave after they have been here for a year or less. That'll give 'em enough time to soak in the illegal and hidden activities of a failed town development plan.

Time to reward one of the two faithful servants with the position. The one left out better not hang the lower lip......they'll be watching for that negative reaction and they certainly don't want to fall out of favor with those that have nurtured their position.

Wonder who Judith recommends as her favorite boy? Mulligan will be there to provide input. After all, he's a good decision maker.   

As a side note....

I see where young college graduate Noah Powers is already a manager. Must be riding the coattails of dad right on up the nepotism ladder. Certainly has put in his time since the college days, hasn't he. Must be a dynamo. Wonder if we'll ever again see a manager actually earn the position working their way up, using time and experience as the criteria. At this rate, he could be a CEO in the private sector by the time he hits 30 if the upward mobility criteria of the city is used. Mercy, a kid in charge of adults.
I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over the hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2014 at 11:37pm
Well if one of those two get it I think it will be time to call a realtor. What a sad situation. I guess they know who the puppets are. Two despicable people and a despicable council.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2014 at 12:16am
Come now. Why the grim faces, the surprise?

There is something put into action about 12-14 years ago. Its called the Becker Rule. When you are approaching retirement, you get city council to bump you into city manager so you get the higher average of salary for the OPERS retirement, stay about three years, and move out. Then, the double dipper gets to come in, like Steve Husemann, that was paid $75,000 for his previous assistant city manager to come in and become city manager. Get with the program, the praise, at least this council only spent $12,000. from the UD individual that moonlights as an executive search coordinator. That is better than Steve H that made the big bucks finding his former assistant to move in.  

Under the Becker Rule, Les Landen is nearly, if not 60, gets put in as city manager, and then if the rumors someone put on here somewhere, HUD is gone, and Adkins needs a job, he floats into Landen's job. Or, under the Becker Rule, Powers could move up to law director, and Adkins takes his job, while Landen is city manager.

Its a perfect move, and perfectly legal, under the Becker Rule.

But, doesn't this worry you Middletown? Because under the Becker Rule, with all the movement rather crony in appearance, how can you in a straight face, tell unions and residents you have full intention of cutting firemen and union employees, when you know that isn't true. You just plan on raising taxes, and taking care of all city employees....under the Becker Rule.  
       
'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over the hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2014 at 8:55am
I hope we can see the qualifications of each of these candidates. Be cause Landen has no qualifications none whatsoever in running a city government. Oh wait there's that osmosis thing,I for got. And Adkins there's that character thing that he doesn't have. Yep, that's exactly what council is looking for. I guess I didn't see that clause in the job description that said "will train".
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote swohio75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2014 at 11:34am
Originally posted by Vivian Moon Vivian Moon wrote:

Posted: 4:55 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2014

City names five manager finalists

    The city received 29 applicants for the position and the field was narrowed to five, Powers said.

    The other finalists: Cathy Davison, former city manager, Steubenville, Ohio; Jane Howington, city manager, Newport, R.I.; and Willie Norfleet, city manager, Socorro, Texas.



Steubenville

About 15.3% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.2% of those under the age of 18 and 11.0% of those aged 65 and older.

Soccorro


About 29.3% of families and 32.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.4% of those under age 18 and 29.2% of those age 65 or over.

Newport

About 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2014 at 4:09pm
Pickerington has to be very low. I  took a fast look and Mansfield and Youngstown are more in line with Middletown.
'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote swohio75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2014 at 4:30pm
Originally posted by swohio75 swohio75 wrote:

[QUOTE=Vivian Moon]

Posted: 4:55 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2014

City names five manager finalists

    The city received 29 applicants for the position and the field was narrowed to five, Powers said.

    The other finalists: Cathy Davison, former city manager, Steubenville, Ohio; Jane Howington, city manager, Newport, R.I.; and Willie Norfleet, city manager, Socorro, Texas.



Was trying to figure out why Howington would want to move from Newport to Middletown, but it appear she has ties the to the area and has been interviewing for other jobs in Ohio.  Previously, she worked as the assistant city manager for operations in Dayton, Ohio, and served as city manager of Oxford, Ohio.

You can see she is/was a candidate for City Manager for Brunswick, Ohio. She was interviewing last month, but withdrew her candidacy.

Ironically, Davison was a candidate (and finalist) for the same position in Brunswick.  In fact, she was the initial choice but failed to win majority support from Council.

http://www.cleveland.com/medina/index.ssf/2014/04/search_for_brunswick_city_mana.html

 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2014 at 4:55pm
Thank you swohio75. Very useful. It seems many keep plugging away until they find what they desire.

I wouldn't view negatively the 4-3 split for the Steubenville former city manager, and the Newport manager seems to want to move back to Ohio. I wonder how that works with OPERS, do they convert one state to another retirement. I think school districts allow that.
'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote swohio75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2014 at 5:14pm
It's kinda disappointed that Ken Cohen said something about going outside the box and taking a risk with the next city manager.  However, I wouldn't think any of these are outside the box or taking a risk (we already know Adkins and Les are risky in a negative way).

I would have been ok with Adkins until the whole Bank One deal.  That sealed it for me.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over the hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2014 at 5:22pm
If anyone is still thinking of filling a grievance with the state against Les and Doug you need to get it done. It can take 90 days for the investigation .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Miss Kitty Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2014 at 10:51am
Don't worry, if Doug gets the job, Les will get mad and eat him.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over the hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2014 at 11:12am
The bank one deal is just 1 of many where Doug is concerned. In a city council meeting Dan Picard told Adkins "I don't want ti get in a pi--ing contest with HUD" so where did Adkins lead them, right in to a Federal investigation. He has burdened the city with thousands of dollars for defense most will probably be paid through insurance but then will the insurance cancel or raise prohibitively? His arrogance is his own worst enemy.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote spiderjohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 05 2014 at 6:06pm
So--we hired a national search firm(for how many $$?) and only came up with 29 applicants(including a few locals). Council narrows it to five, with the current law director and Community Development director among the five.

So--IF one of the two locals is chosen, why did we bother with this search? Why go through the charade? Not saying that either local isn't reputable, however "more of the same" is probably not what MOST of the citizens want imo. Unless no sane person really wants to walk in to this situation?

Who really wants to continue like we are going now?
Maybe the next public interview process will be very telling. Who chooses who asks them ?s?, and when is this(on TVM?)?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over the hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 07 2014 at 1:52pm
Well the Village of Waynesville may be looking for a village manager. Judy could do this job with her eyes closed. She can do it part time it seems. They only require about 30 hours a week. She can pick up a little extra money and still fulfill her need to be in control of everything. Though it looks like right now she's LOSING control of everything. But what the heck give 'em a call. What do you have to lose? LOL
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 07 2014 at 2:31pm
spiderjohn.....$12,000 to the guy out of UD was chump change compared to Steve Husemann being paid $75,000 to find Judy Gilleland, his former Assistant, in Centerville, to move to city manager job in Middletown. Then Husemann gets another $65,000- $75,000 to be a Director to save Middletown some cash associated with pension payments, the shell game called double dip. I read his review while she worked under him: lots of hard work, but not much showing for the time. Who cares----only about $750,000  of expense for finding a city manager. And....they at least got more than one candidate, associated with the MCSD super, Rasmussen. Progress!

Middletown's levies pass because over 50% of its residents make their living off the public service dime. Almost all private sector executives fled, or in process of doing so. You are living in Madison, Wisconsin in Middletown, union haven, and public sector heaven.            
'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 07 2014 at 2:53pm

City Manager Gilleland outlined accomplishments from Agenda 2008.

o Establishment of the City Manager’s Task Force on Business Retention, a group of business leaders to make retention visits on the city’s behalf.

o Las Vegas retail recruitment trip and working with Towne Mall owners.

o Working with existing businesses on any opportunity, providing an atmosphere of cooperation and attention to detail.

o City Manager engaged in Chamber of Commerce committees and activities.

o Utilizing and integrating the Small Business Development Center.

o Open for business statement, promotion, open during lunch hours and a one stop shop counter in development.

o Reorganization of downtown efforts and streamlining through the Planning Office.

o Working with the Community Foundation, local banks, and with city funds to incentivize investment/property maintenance.

o Working with the Community Foundation to fund a downtown coordinator to integrate financing, renovation, promotions with downtown activities and recruitment of appropriate businesses.

o Paducah trip with community leaders to examine key successes and failures of redevelopment with an arts community.

o Diversity training planned for entire city staff, boards/commissions/ council in 2009.

o Staff person assigned to Diversity Committee and efforts throughout the year.

o City Managers remains engaged in community diversity affairs.

o Regional meetings with all surrounding entities.

o Efforts ongoing to demolish blighted housing and pursuing Brownfield grants for commercial and industrial.

o Ongoing efforts in housing enforcement on downtown area and commercial areas.

o Realigned building inspection staff to supplement code enforcement.

o In the process of selecting a vendor to administer the Section 8 housing program.

o Ongoing efforts through CDBG, Neighborhood Stabilization Funds.

o Street improvement, citizen-staff-council committee established to examine and make recommendation.

o Overall plan developed for street paving, specifics of individual street

assessment needed.

o $7M in paving being done in 2009 – N. Breiel, SR 122.

o Plan developed for 2009 for basic street maintenance.

o Leveraging grants, state and federal dollars for street projects.

o Council finance subcommittee established.

o Staff meetings monthly with financial advisor to review reports.

o Continuous monitoring of revenue receipts.

o Contingency plan established for short, mid and long term cut backs.

o Integration of budget process through city staff.

o Public Safety Committee of Council meeting quarterly

o Capital repairs at Fire Stations

o Police Station Painting

o Reorganization of city staff – realignment of duties

o Hiring of key personnel

o Sun Coke Project

o Communication and PR with community, use of weekly updates, newspaper columns, media coverage and water bill inserts.

City Manager Gilleland also mentioned some other accomplishments that included demolition of the old hospital and Paychex opening this month. A disappointment that was mentioned was the Forbe’s article that listed Middletown as one of the ten fastest dying cities in the nation.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over the hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 07 2014 at 3:22pm
Well this is 2014,when is all this going to take place? I must have miss something along the way.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 07 2014 at 5:45pm
.....and I'm still waiting also....and I rest my case
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