Letter: New city manager carries high price

At Monday’s Orland City Council meeting, a new city manager was hired with no discussion. It was all apparently decided long before the meeting.

The only discussion was on the pay – $80,000 per year, plus moving allowance and all of the extra benefits, costing the city an estimated $140,000 per year. The applicant had already signed his contract prior to the meeeting, and the City Council just rubber-stamped it as presented. The contract was drawn up by the city attorney and not even discussed by the City Council. Who is minding the store?

The city has been operating for the last several months with a part-time, interim city manager for considerably less money, and it seems to be operating OK. Angie Crook, the city clerk/assistant city manager, is fully capable of handling the day-to-day operation of the city.

Councilman Roundy stated at a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting that the city’s finances were “going down the drain.” Why not start economizing at the top by not replacing the full-time city manager’s position? I realize it is a “done deal” now and by the new contract, he cannot be fired for at least six months after the next election, but I think this is extremely poor management of the city’s finances.

Speaking of elections, to borrow a phrase from the national campaign, isn’t it time for a change? Please vote to replace the three incumbents who are up for re-election.

Charles Gee
Orland