John, who was instrumental in helping the town with its police budget, has a letter in the April 29 Explorer questioning the need for a Communications Division.
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OV may have too many in communications
The Oro Valley fiscal year 2010 budget deficit is $4.2 million.
The town manager has budgeted $270,305 dollars in fiscal year 2010 for a communications division within his department. The communications division coordinates activities related to public and community relations, public information, and inter-governmental relations. Further, the division plans, develops, and produces publications and services designed to facilitate communication with residents, in order to inform of services, activities, and programs. There are 2.10 full-time equivalents (FTEs), one communications administrator, one communication specialist, and .10 communication intern.
The police department has budgeted a police information officer (1 FTE) position staffed by a person in the field of public relations, public education and law enforcement. An employee of this position will be responsible for the release of public information to the media as it pertains to the police department.
This public information officer is budgeted for fiscal year 2010 in the Office of Professional Standards Division of the Police Department. It is the policy of the OVPD O.P.S. Division to thoroughly investigate all complaints against its employees in order to preserve public confidence in our willingness to oversee and control the actions of our employees. It does not detail what functions the public information officer performs in this O.P.S. Police Division.
It sounds like the Town of Oro Valley has a surplus of communications resources. Perhaps, a realignment, consolidation or reduction in budget might be in order.
John Musolf, Oro Valley
3 comments:
Just received the Oro Valley Vista - noted five items of interest. Thanks to the Communications Division. Some folks think it is better to put on-line. Don't believe the information will be as timely.
Since there is a volunteer so instrumental in helping the town with the police budget, maybe the town manager should resign his position. John seems to know what questions to ask and he has all the answers. Will he be asking, "why is there a need for a town manager?" Sounds like win, win situtation.
TurquoiseSky
Evidently, no good deed goes unpunished.
I wish I had all the answers, but I don't. Also, I didn't know all the questions to ask so dave andrews,our town manager, stacy lemos, our finance director, Bill Garner and Salette Latas, our council people, and Chief Sharp and his staff pitched in and really did a lot of work to analyze where we could "tighten our belts".
Chief Sharp originally approached me to help on his budget. I am retired and had some spare time. I thought saving jobs was a worthwhile endeavour to do, so I volunteered as any citizen would.
In my opinion,I think people's jobs are more important to save than the printed Vista. If the economy recovers, perhaps we can resume the printed Vista. In the meantime, we may have to limp along with the online version.
I'm sure if you contact the town manager he many find some volunteer opportunities for you as well.
Have a good day!
John Musolf
Thanks John to taking the time to get involved with our town’s monetary and employment issues. You have had a large positive impact on the community. If only you were here earlier!
At least once a week I get the Explorer thrown into my driveway, the closest thing I get to in “hard print media” for local information and news. Adding city propaganda to give this might improve the content. Otherwise I am satisfied going to the city website or might even show up for a council meeting if time permits.
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