- November 16, 2024
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By Arthur Woosely, Guest Writer
Is it time to change Flagler Beach's style of government? Maybe so, but first let's try our best to make sense out of what is happening this time around.
History shows that Bruce Campbell overcame significant opposition to become our city manger back in 2011.
This only came about after pressure was exerted by way of a petition which included the names of 650 residents, or about 13% of the city population, all of whom requested that our City Commission hire Campbell as manager.
Mr. Campbell was already high in the final cut for the job, in a search which produced 140 applicants from across the country. Campbell came with an outstanding resume, complete with a business background that could rival most, but more importantly to our residents, he had local roots in our community, which many considered a good thing.
If and when Mr. Campbell does leave, we as a city will once again go through another foolish quest, an endless treadmill, looking for yet another range-riding city manager. Something that seldom works out well.
During his tenure, Campbell appears to have done a good job for our city. Commissioner Joy McGrew recently said he did a "stellar job.” She was joined by other commissioners who also gave praise to his work performance. Realize also that city responsibilities, including those of manager, have become much more demanding over the last few years, simply because of the rapid growth.
Therefore, the question becomes, with both satisfactory evaluations and the heavier work load, why was the man not considered for a raise after commissioner Kim Carney requested three times that he be given one?
I have to believe that our residents are entitled to hear from the mayor and the commission, as to what this latest debacle is truly all about.
If and when Mr. Campbell does leave, we as a city will once again go through another foolish quest, an endless treadmill, looking for yet another range-riding city manager. Something that seldom works out well.
Just look at past turnover, which costs our residents big time. Money and staff time are spent not only on the long, drawn-out search and interviews background checks, etc., but also in payouts for those who do not fit for one reason or another, and may stay only six months or so.
We know from experience that some managers start out on day one sending resumes to other cities who pay more — this before even knowing the north end from the south end of our town. It's truly nuts.
So is there an alternative to this process? There could be. If city residents truly desire a better more accountable/responsive government that answers to the residents, they might want to consider moving back to the strong mayor form of government.
The mayor would be a voting mayor/manager, supported by only four commissioners from city districts; all vote and all would be required every three years or so to run on their voting records.
Such a move would, of course, require increased salaries for these elected officials, but accountability would, in the long term, prove more beneficial, and in fact save money because of that better accountability.
It is very obvious from this latest situation that changes need to be considered and that the present system, at least in our small city, is somewhat dysfunctional.
Art Woosley is a resident of Flagler Beach.
