HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974 12-25 Maplewood denies special services director position REVIEW Maplewoód special
. AC, "tit
services director position
by Scott Carlson
The Maplewood council last Thursday "Jim, you show me any time in go back and look at assessments, etc."
night voted 3-1 against authorizing the government when someone has been Bruton said. "We have a number of
establishment of a special services displaced,"Greavu challenged Malley."I assessments which haven't been handled
director position in the city ad- see this man coming here. He'll want a but are being absorbed by our citizens."
ministration. car.He'll want two assistants. He'll want Bruton added, "If on the other hand
The council's vote came despite support office space, a secretary and paper. we're trying to do what is the best for the
for the position from City Manager "We're not talking about $12,000 to citizens of our community along the lines
Michael Miller and two citizens com- $15,000 but$100,000," Greavu said. of the objective of this position then I
missions; the Parks and Recreation Greavu said, "There's something think it befits to the city to try and im-
Commission and the Human Relations wrong with the system." Some services, plement in this (position)."
Commission, for example, are provided by the United Bruton said, "There are cost con-
The controversial position,discussed in Way, which is in part supported by sequences in every action we take."
October, was included in the 1975 budget suburban contributors, Greavu noted. But Wiegert countered, "It (the
but restricted in being filled until the "But if we have to kiss to get some position)would put us in competition with
council received more information. money I don't know why we should even other government and if there is anything
And when the information was donate to it," Greavu continued. that is being criticized in government it is
presented, councilmen Burton Murdock, But Malley said,"I do believe as you do duplication of services."
John Greavu and Donald Wiegert were that none of us want to see taxes go any The council has asked Eric Blank,
unconvinced that the position was needed. higher. . . . I agree that it should be done director of Parks and Recreation, to
Only Mayor Robert Bruton favored the by somebody else but it's not being done." continue as part-time worker of social
position. Malley said that agencies, such as the services and to represent the city
Human Relations Commissioner Jim welfare department, "don't have the whenever possible. The request is
Malley said the special services director luxury of asking 'who needs it' (the designed as a transition move until a full-
would be responsible for bringing social services)?" time director can be, perhaps, supported
services to the community which are now "The community which has the moxy by private groups in the community.
unavailable because nobody is out to and energy to go pounding on its doors'
represent Maplewood's interests. That and discover its own needs is more apt to
includes services for the aging; marriage get it (federal funding and social ser-
counseling; delinquency; drug and vices)," Malley said.
alcoholism help; assistance to the Murdock, while sympathetic to the
retarded and general welfare. request, said, "We want services but not
Malley,a staff member of Marion Park to hire an administrator to get what we
Center, said the position could be sup- have coming."
ported by general revenue sharing funds Wiegert, agreeing with Greavu, said,
on a one year trial basis. "I'm fairly certain that if we put him
"I feel there is a real need for these there he'll(special services director)stay
types of individual services in the city of there."
Maplewood," Malley said. Malley responded, "I've seen you show
But Wiegert was unconvinced of the backbone when 3M came in and wanted
need and not sure that it was the city's its$5,000 reduced."Malley referred to 3M
obligation to take on social services. "I'm Company's request to the council to
trying to fit us in," Wiegert said. "I'm reduce its $5,000 penalty for an overdue
trying to find out what it is we have to do, sewer charge.
why it is we have to do it, why someone But Wiegert countered, "I don't mind
else is not doing it and who we assumed kicking them in the shins as much as I do
was taking care of it." kicking the crutch out from a crippled
Later Wiegert added, "I have the lady."
feeling that the private ventures are Mayor Bruton, in supporting the
much more successful in the area of position, said, "I understand this is a
social services than has been govern- period of layoffs and that makes the
ment." community's responsibility all the more
Greavu, adamant in his opposition to pressing because of the increased needs
the position, complained it would add out there.
"another layer of government." "If our real concern is taxes we should