Alan wrote: > For the record, I support the Mayor's concern about the Police Chief > and his--the Mayor's--exploration of ways to expedite a change in > Police leadership. During the closing year of the ancien regime it was > a mistake to re-up the Chief for three years, in the face of strongly > expressed dissent, and now it will be detrimental to the city to have a > lame duck (and widely denigrated) Chief for 20 more months. <snip>
I support the Mayor's concern as well and have articulated that to MY City Councilperson. While there may be some ambiguity of fact surrounding the recent events cited on this list (Anyone seen an autopsy report on Jeilani? I heard that he was shot over a dozen times, but I couldn't find any report that was published with exactly how many shots hit him), I think that the circumstances are enough for me to favor a removal of Olson as Police Chief. Apparently, other constituents made themselves heard as well in opposition to a buyout and R.T.'s action was not backed up by the leaders in some key citizen groups. <snip> > I am surprised that the Council does not see a serious problem with the > Chief's management (or lack of management) of the Department. <snip> If other constituents outweighed the opinions of the participants on the list, we must applaud representative democracy in action, no? <snip> > Anyway, if we have to orbit for another 20 months before we can get a > Chief who can win the respect of the officers and of our diverse > communities, I hope the Mayor and Council make sure the current Chief > is put to work on those things that he is good at AND that move the > ball down the field. Since he is likely a short-termer I wonder why, > according to the Stribe, he is "headed to Washington, D.C., to meet > with federal officials to discuss efforts to counter terrorism." Let's > send people who will be around awhile. <snip> I think Alan's point here is absolutely the KEY argument in this situation. I see the same law at work in other governement office-holders as well and other top-brass that are appointed at the County. It is my belief that when 'outsiders' are elected or appointed at these upper levels as opposed to recruiting from within, the result is a bunch of opportunitsts looking for a golden parachute rather than folks invested in the success of whatever office or program that they are placed in charge of. What the heck do they care? Pull down their six-figure, CONTRACTED salary and benefit program (which is another problem), and then bail when they have amassed enough to float out on their golden parachute. I say, hire from within at ALL levels of City, County and State Governement. <snip> > I'd say, let's heighten the visibility and authority of our Inspectors > and Deputy Chief(s) for a while (sort of extended job interviews?), and > get the Chief riding a desk and spending more time on the budget > trimming assignment that he apparently has been avoiding. <snip> Bravo! He's already not in the forefront of the department; chain his skinny behind to a desk until his contract runs out! Bob Velez Shingle Creek Ward 4-1 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
