Can somebody tell us how appointed Council Member Steve Solomon can say that "Jerene Watson's resume and qualifications would be difficult to equal in a nationwide search of candidates?"
Who was Ms. Watson competing with for the position of Oro Valley Town Manager?
The answer is, "nobody."
How much credence can one put in the staff members that "submitted letters of recommendation for Watson," as pointed out by Mayor Hiremath, soon after Ms. Watson gave these same employees a "step-up job position?
Ms. Watson may have been the best, but to say it with no knowledge of "what else is out there" is absolutely ludicrous.
Here's The Explorer article.
Council Gives Watson Job As Town Manager
By Patrick McNamara, The Explorer
The Oro Valley Town Council unanimously voted to hire a new town manager at its Wednesday, July 21 meeting.
The council gave interim Town Manager Jerene Watson the job she has held since September on a permanent basis.
"After a lot of deliberation, we have offered the job to acting Town Manager Jerene Watson," said Councilman Steve Solomon.
Solomon added that the strength of Watson's resume and qualifications would be difficult to equal in a nationwide search of candidates. The councilman also extolled Watson's grasp of local and statewide issues as a reason to hire her.
"It would be a good year before" another person "would become an effective town manager," Solomon said.
Watson's annual salary would be $155,648, plus $14,000 in yearly deferred compensation paid into a retirement savings account. Watson also would receive a $1,832 annual vehicle stipend.
She would work on an annual contract basis. The council would review her performance annually and decide whether to offer a contract renewal.
"Thank you Mr. Mayor and council," Watson said after the vote. "I appreciate your vote of confidence."
Watson has worked for the town since January 2007, when she was hired as assistant town manager. She later was hired to fill in as town manager after the resignation of former Town Manager David Andrews.
"She grew up with the town over the past three years," said Oro Valley Mayor Satish Hiremath.
The mayor also said Watson had earned the respect and endorsement of many town employees, many of whom submitted letters of recommendation for Watson.
"I can't think of a department head that didn't write a letter of recommendation for her," Hiremath said.
The previous town council has initially intended to conduct a nationwide search for candidates to fill the job of town manager. The council planned to set aside as much as $30,000 to pay an outside firm to conduct the search.
That plan was dropped with the final budget approval in June, leaving Watson the only candidate named for the position. Watson is the first female town manager the town has had.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
New Oro Valley (Temporary?) Sign Code: Smart Or Not? Time Will Tell
We agree with Bill Garner, the only Council Member who we believe thinks things out before he votes. In what we believe was a "rush to judgment," appointed Council Member couldn't wait to usurp the sign code citizen committee's responsibility to offer recommendations for council consideration. The vote to approve was 6-1.
Here's what The Explorer reports.
Signs of relief
The Oro Valley Town Council also voted to temporarily loosen the town's sign code regulations.
The move is intended to provide relief to local business by allowing greater freedom in the use of temporary signs during the continued economic recession.
Councilman Bill Garner cast the only vote opposing the changes.
"I just don't believe this has been thought through," Garner said.
Amanda Jacobs, town economic development coordinator, told the council the proposal was modeled after the City of Chandler, which has similarly relaxed some of its sigh-code standards in an effort to help local businesses.
Garner said the difference was that Chandler officials wrote and passed an ordinance, effectively a new law, that provided better guidelines than what the Oro Valley Town Council passed.
Businesses that can demonstrate economic hardship that would justify relief would be allowed to complete a waiver form for review by the town's Development and Infrastructure Services Department.
Mayor Hiremath said businesses interested in taking advantage of the program would have options of how they demonstrate hardship.
"It does not mean they have to come in and physically open their books," Hiremath said. Instead, whatever measure a business uses to show a need would have to be the same measure used when the town reviews the effectiveness of the temporary sign code changes.
There would be a $50 fee to process the request. Once approved, businesses must provide an update in 90 days that the waiver is working.
No waivers will be granted for illuminated, noise-producing or flashing signs.
"It's a unique concept and it's going to be a work-in-progress," Hiremath said.
The council plans to review the effort's effectiveness in February 2011.
Here's what The Explorer reports.
Signs of relief
The Oro Valley Town Council also voted to temporarily loosen the town's sign code regulations.
The move is intended to provide relief to local business by allowing greater freedom in the use of temporary signs during the continued economic recession.
Councilman Bill Garner cast the only vote opposing the changes.
"I just don't believe this has been thought through," Garner said.
Amanda Jacobs, town economic development coordinator, told the council the proposal was modeled after the City of Chandler, which has similarly relaxed some of its sigh-code standards in an effort to help local businesses.
Garner said the difference was that Chandler officials wrote and passed an ordinance, effectively a new law, that provided better guidelines than what the Oro Valley Town Council passed.
Businesses that can demonstrate economic hardship that would justify relief would be allowed to complete a waiver form for review by the town's Development and Infrastructure Services Department.
Mayor Hiremath said businesses interested in taking advantage of the program would have options of how they demonstrate hardship.
"It does not mean they have to come in and physically open their books," Hiremath said. Instead, whatever measure a business uses to show a need would have to be the same measure used when the town reviews the effectiveness of the temporary sign code changes.
There would be a $50 fee to process the request. Once approved, businesses must provide an update in 90 days that the waiver is working.
No waivers will be granted for illuminated, noise-producing or flashing signs.
"It's a unique concept and it's going to be a work-in-progress," Hiremath said.
The council plans to review the effort's effectiveness in February 2011.
John Musolf Says: "Why Not Boost Our Taxpayer Morale By Less Spending?"
We agree 100% with John Musolf as it concerns his letter to The Explorer printed below.
With More Town Holidays, OV Taxpayer Loses
On July 21, the Oro Valley mayor and council voted 7-0 to pass Resolution 10-50 (add employee holidays).
A memo from Human Resources supported this action.
Discussion:
"In 2009, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 was authorized as paid 'vacation' days for all staff for the first time by the interim town manager. This act was initiated on factors that included no cost of living or merit increases, difficult economic conditions and a reduction in force resulting in heavier work loads and strain on employee morale."
Why not boost our taxpayer morale by less spending?
Why no Resolution in 2009 but added for 2010? Hmmm.
"Designating these dates (added holidays) is beneficial to our customers and staff for the following reasons:"
"The Town may effectively communicate to the community that business offices will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1 due to holiday schedule."
The town must add two additional holidays so a communication can be made to the public? Logical?
"For payroll, financial and individual department accountability, having set dates is more efficient for each department to administer."
How will adding two additional holidays make it more efficient for each department to administer?
"Staff may plan for customers' needs and holiday gatherings proactively."
How does adding two additional holidays help town customers needs? The only thing it does help is the employees in planning their personal holiday gatherings.
Fiscal impact:
"For essential services there will be a holiday payroll cost associated with this change. For FY10-11 this cost will be absorbed through vacancy savings and year end operational line item savings."
In my opinion, a sweeping statement that the added holiday cost will be absorbed is insufficient justification. The Oro Valley taxpayer loses again.
John Musolf, Oro Valley
With More Town Holidays, OV Taxpayer Loses
On July 21, the Oro Valley mayor and council voted 7-0 to pass Resolution 10-50 (add employee holidays).
A memo from Human Resources supported this action.
Discussion:
"In 2009, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 was authorized as paid 'vacation' days for all staff for the first time by the interim town manager. This act was initiated on factors that included no cost of living or merit increases, difficult economic conditions and a reduction in force resulting in heavier work loads and strain on employee morale."
Why not boost our taxpayer morale by less spending?
Why no Resolution in 2009 but added for 2010? Hmmm.
"Designating these dates (added holidays) is beneficial to our customers and staff for the following reasons:"
"The Town may effectively communicate to the community that business offices will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1 due to holiday schedule."
The town must add two additional holidays so a communication can be made to the public? Logical?
"For payroll, financial and individual department accountability, having set dates is more efficient for each department to administer."
How will adding two additional holidays make it more efficient for each department to administer?
"Staff may plan for customers' needs and holiday gatherings proactively."
How does adding two additional holidays help town customers needs? The only thing it does help is the employees in planning their personal holiday gatherings.
Fiscal impact:
"For essential services there will be a holiday payroll cost associated with this change. For FY10-11 this cost will be absorbed through vacancy savings and year end operational line item savings."
In my opinion, a sweeping statement that the added holiday cost will be absorbed is insufficient justification. The Oro Valley taxpayer loses again.
John Musolf, Oro Valley
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