HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 03-24 Councilman's gripe 'improperly aired' THE REVIEW •
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improperlyaire
by Scott Carlson deteriorating government in that it leads
Recent discussion about the propriety to the loss of confidence and initiative on �� _ '
of promoting an eight-month Maplewood the part of staff.
city employee into the position of park "And it (causes) a loss of confidence on .,i E
foreman was improperly aired in public, the part of the public if all we are doing is a':,;-T-,!"-,N-1,,,' t
a Maplewood councilman indicated last shouting and making accusations," ,-.14.4:,,,,,,-;-,$.,, " i
Thursday night. Wiegert added. "I feel so serious about '-',..4:7,4:' , w
Donald Wiegert, in formal and off-the- this I consider it a disservice to the ,t ,, •,:,,,-„,,,,,,,
cuff remarks, said that any concerns citizens who elected us and maybe be „,,,,,t,:,,.,,
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councilmen have should first be brought even a violation of our oath of office.” `ti° ;' " t,'` *, 0
to the attention of the city manager, Wiegert implored the council to work <,
Michael Miller, and then the council if with the Plan B form of government rt > / ; , s'
they cannot be resolved. which is council-manager. "It can do a F'' .��
damn good job for us if we will use it," Don Wiegert
WIEGERT'S COMMENTS, although Wiegert declared.
not stated as such, were in response to And in the future Wiegert indicated that
remarks colleague John Greavu made at he will call for a"point of order" if there
the March 11 meeting regarding the is "any more on action on the part of s r., °P
promotion of Mel Gusinda, who has been council members (like this)." He added,
an eight-month city employee under the "If I miss the boat then I would ask the '
Comprehensive Employment Training city manager to call a `point of order' ' `�" �,�
Act (CETA), into the position of park since he has the right to do that." M
foreman while other more experienceddefending
XP BUT GREAW,in his action, � °� ��� `
city employees were passed over. said he had to ask the question in public „,;
Greavu was critical of Manager since the council is not allowed to hold � ` '
Miller's decision to administer a test for closed-door meetings.And he declared he
the position. He said Miller's decision in would not meet with Miller by himself.
the hiring was in poor taste and raised "I made that mistake once and I'll ? '
questions of human rights violations. never do it twice,”Greavu added."I want -
"I can see only one thing — there is everybody here when I say it." ,,
collusion in city hall,"Greavu bellowed at Then in a flare of temper, Greavu .,the March 11 meeting. "I don't want any returned Wiegert's criticisms by offering , '
damn part of it." Greavu's outburst was some of his own.
prompted when he said he was informed ". . . Damn you, Don, you sat in my
that a city employee remarked that"the office and I told you about it," Greavu ,;
job was in the bag" for Gusinda even shouted in response to Wiegert's assertion a'
before Tony Barilla Sr. resigned as park that he was unaware of what was going on I
foreman due to a permanent disability. with the promotion. "`' ``
Miller categorically denied that there Wiegert shot back, "You told me a side John Greavu
was any collusion in the promotion or that of it . . . I have not to this day heard the
he had ever told anyone that they had the whole story."
job "in the bag." "I can't be held Councilman Burton Murdock and
responsible for some irresponsible Mayor Robert Bruton contended that
statement made by somebody under me," Manager Miller had the final authority to
he said. hire who he felt was most qualified to fill
Wiegert last Thursday said such the position of park foreman even though
criticism in public is demoralizing to the Greavu had objections.
employees and should be avoided if in- "You mean to say Burt that (in)
dividual councilmen can see the manager anything he does that might jeopardize
or give him a telephone call. the village we don't have a say?"Greavu
asked in disbelief.
"WE SHOULD NOT use council time "No," Murdock responded. But he
for fact-finding, particularly if we have added,"The fact is there is a new breed of
cage-rattling in mind," Wiegert said. "It cat that will abolish us. We try to hang
is as unfair as having your superior rake onto any little position we have to keep
you over the coals in front of your this community going."
subordinates. Mayor Bruton added, "You know,
"It's not proper management,"Wiegert (Greavu) you have 20 percent of the vote
continued. "It is demoralizing as and when you say 'Mike I don't like the
anything could be. It results in way things are going'that isn't to say he
shouldn't pay attention to you.Even if the
Related story, other four of us disagree he should pay
attention and answer your questions and
page 14 respect the fact that you have a legitimate
concern about the community."