Just got word from South Dakota.
Doug Russell has been hired as the Yankton, S.D. city manager. He starts July 7.
About $12,000 more per year, and a commission that is excited to have him.
Our loss.
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A blog by Managing Editor James Jordan about the newspaper. So far it's mostly about city commission, but I hope to delve into other local issues.
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- I have been at the Traveler for 4 years. I have been in the newspaper business longer than that. I came here from South Carolina. Apart from that, I am an unapologetic Jesus Freak. I am not, however, Republican.
34 comments:
I agree! What a shame. I wish him well.
Maybe we should follow Yankton's lead and recall the ones that tore up our City manager's contract!
What a shame! We finally got some youth and excitement steering the ship. Thanks Mel, you and your fellow buddies have let us down. By the way Mr. Mayor I heard your mayor's minute on the radio about quality of life and caring for your neighbor and family. Too bad you don't mean it.
The next major disaster will be that the commissioners who lost (chased out) our city manager will now be choosing a new one. I'm sure they will pick someone to do their bidding and drive Ark City into the hole they are digging.
I've spoke with people that worked wtih Mr. Russell and had other dealings. Let me say none of them will be sorry to see him go. He may have some good ideas but has no idea of how to get along with people.
Maybe because they, like the city commission are too busy trying to hold us back? Mr. Russell was open about the things he wanted to do all the way back to his first public forum before he was hired.
The people that don't like him are the ones not willing to work. Or the ones that don't think of the best for Ark City.
Way to go AMIGOS! Now hire some puppet to do your bidding.
Why don't you ask some of us women who worked with and for him? Are you trying to say we aren't willing to work? That is what always happens to legitimate complaints. They get swept under the rug. If you have an axe to grind you shouldn't try to use Russell to do it. I hope they find someone who will listen to the staff and the commission.
is staff unlike employees in any other plant or business? Are you not paid and given good benefits to do the work required? Are you not to do as management directs? Do you know more about the needs of your particular job and how it affects the entire organization than management? I've never known any employees to be completely happy. On the other hand IT'S A JOB! In most positions if you complain about your work they find someone else willing to do it.
I've heard he's a real chauvenist. That's probably why you should listen to the women. He tried to hold them back and change pay codes so they would not get their due raises.
Untrue!
Don't they have a policy book and a Human Resources department that guides wages and benefits? I thought he was trying to treat everyone the same. Or is that the problem? Under the old management some people got special treatment?
Don't say let "us" down. Speak for yourself. I'm quite happy w/the decision. You can try to act like you know all the details and how everybody acted and how everybody feels. You don't know how things went down, nor do I. It's all gossip.
Mr. Russell followed the personnel policy handbook to the letter and treated every employee fairly and honestly. He also expected his department heads to do the same.
He didn't treat me well at all. I will acknowledge that I DID observe him interact well with others. Not with me though. I really really believe he has some sort of issue with women. I sucked it up because I never could put a finger on it and didn't want to make waves. You are right it is a job and I love it so didn't want to jepardize it.
So are you suggesting that he sexually harrassed you, made advances, created extra work load, or just didn't say hi in passing?
Your opinion that you were treated differently might be because you suggested he do so. He might have been given the impression that you were nervous or shy around him and so did not become friendly. He might have some personal issue about you that made him uncomfortable (as could happen with 1 in 100) and was himself personally uncomfortable. There are many reasons. Did he personally inflict extra work or rude attitude toward you, or just avoid you. Are you taking his actions out of context? Is he avoiding you because you should be directing yourself to your department head?
You are throwing information out that could ruin a man's career and offering just enough information for us to know you were uncomfortable but not why or if it couldn't be something enirely natural.
I suggest you look in the mirror, YOU earned your distrust!
Hey people.
SOme of you are getting personal and getting close to legal allegations.
If you accuse someone of illegal activity that they have not been charged with in the courts, that is libel.
Any post that does that will be deleted.
jj
Nobody accused anyone of anything, the poster at 9:16 pm was just asking what the previous poster was suggesting.
And you are mistaken about libel. Saying that someone did something illegal is only libel if it isn't true and factual. If it is true, and you have proof to support it, then we call that NEWS.
And you are mistaken about libel. Saying that someone did something illegal is only libel if it isn't true and factual.
I said people are "getting close" to doing that.
I am just saying that I will not allow people to make allegations of illegal activity on here if charges have not been filed.
Hasn't happened yet ... just saying "IF" i does...
What I was saying is that whether or not charges are filed has nothing to do with libel.
I do agree that people should stick to the facts and not make unfair accusations. Especially without proof.
There sure is enough blame the victim mentality on here. I'm glad I'm not a woman in ark city.
there's too much victim mentality period
and too much blaming period.
this does nothing but make people feel justified in their own victim mentalities.
what if we tried to find solutions instead? :)
What would be a solution to this problem?
h-bomb or greensburg take your pick. people here are too set in their own destructive ways.
I can only hope and pray that we, as a community, can grow in love and patience.
I like reading these blogs, but I have noticed that people are getting a little slanted. I think that we all should be very, very cautious with the attitudes shown in some of the previous posts.
I can only wish the Mr. Russell many blessings and God's peace.
I'm lockstep with: May 29, 2008 1:34 PM
Here here. Someone with reason.
What would be a solution to this problem?
>>>>>>>>>>
Maybe in realizing that the city commission, and doug leaving, are not the real problem?
:)
just a thought.
Absolutely right JJ.
I think some of these folks should have a fresh cup of hot tea and relax. ;)
How is it that Mel Kuhn is the one who is pushing this better way of life and forcing the people of the city to comply with cleaning up. He wants to make the city look better but this comes from a commissioner/business owner that property can be seen from the bypass and has junk all around it. I would think he should have all his cleaned up before forcing the issue onto others.
He's in the process of increasing his own already inflated property taxes by putting up a big metal building to put all of that junk in. I don't think he is having Sybrant build it for him and he isn't asking for any tax breaks from the citizens.
Just a thought, what about a nice cool refreshing glass of WATER. Then perhaps we could all come to this discussion with a clear mind.
Just kidding, although it could be like a breath of fresh air on the blog.
;)
tea ... water ...
some need meds
More like MOOD STABILIZERS! : ) Sorry James, delete this if you want, but I agree, it is getting out of control!
Ditto!!!
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