Tony,
To imply that Big 5 is derogatory reads something into your definition. 5 is a bigger number than 4 . Possibly I should refer to them as the Gurban 5 since that is how this sub group of commissioners started this journey. However you want to put it Commissioners Hauser, Fine, Olson, Dziedzic and Kummer have been voting together in a block on many issues surrounding Interim Superintendent Gurban.
As to great reviews from staff, as I understand the way the hierarchy works at the MPRB, the superintendent hires up to 18 positions directly below him. It would be in the best interests of those staff members to be on the good side of someone who technically can replace them with his own team at his discretion. Having heard reports from staff under the previous superintendent and the interim, I see alot more pussyfooting around issues that just one year ago was not happening (and there was a bigger shortfall in the budget at that time). I think some serious changes need to be made in the way the Park Board does business to avoid the constant need for more taxes to bail them out of " failing enterprises". I don't want them using my family's hard earned tax dollars to build a putt-putt golf course in Northeast. If it was going to be a money maker, I would assume an astute business person would have already built one in the area. In fact I would love to see a report from anyone on the individual enterprises and whether or not they are making money and if not, what steps will be taken to rectify the situation. Unfortunately the reports from Interim Superintendent Gurban tend to be more fluff than substance, copies of memos, pictures from tourist magazines and his policy of "Dairy Queen Certificate" rewards for a job well done by staff.
As to Robert Goldman's comment as to not getting applicants due to someone having the inside track. This issue was addressed at a public comments session on the search procedure and many who spoke agreed that better applicants would be found if Interim Superintendent Gurban was not a candidate. He was not excluded and I believe it was Commissioner Kummer who made claim that excluding him could lead to a discrimination lawsuit. This is something I do not have the necessary background to comment upon.
I have in the past compared the discord on the board to a family that is planning a major purchase, say a house, and when the sale fell through (VonDeLinde withdrawing last year) someone used the down payment to buy a boat (Gurban). It created much ill will and to continue along this path will only lead to more animosity.
Interim Superintendent Gurban has had my attention at meetings for the past 10 months and I am still not sure where his input has been valuable. I also have not heard him report in detail on anything. I often wonder if he defers to staff because he didn't read any of the reports. Hopefully his interviews next week will be more enlightening than the last 10 months.
Liz Wielinski Columbia Park
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