Allen sends scathing letter to City Council
By Frank Lewis, The Portsmouth Daily Times, Ohio | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"That is how it has always been." That was a sentence he heard from many of his colleagues when they warned him not to take the job in
He says during the interview process with
He said Novac had assured him the current
Allen said that in the first six months as city manager he has been disappointed in how the
He said the city had a chance to reverse the course by relying on the training and experience of an unbiased outsider with a new perspective.
"Instead, I have become increasingly more frustrated with the actions that have occurred repeatedly since my arrival in January," Allen said. "From
Allen lists three problems that he says must be overcome if the city is to realize success. Council must remove themselves from the administrative branch of government and allow him to do his job; Council must come to an understanding of the Council/Manager form of government operates and eliminate "the power struggle that appears to be happening" and Council must present a professional demeanor and not insult those sectors of the public with which he had to develop partnerships.
"At the
Allen says
Only once in the letter does Allen seem to single out an individual. He says, according to his contract, there is to be an evaluation of his performance "annually in December." He said that clause calls for the evaluation to be "mutually agreed upon by employer and employee."
"I am unclear as to why the
In that same line of thought, Allen reminds Council -- "No one Council member has more authority to direct the work of the city manager than any of the other five. This concept seems to be lost."
Allen attached an email sent by
Johnson comments on Allen's being "worn out," and suggests a two-week vacation.
Allen goes on to say -- "There is not confidential information that some Council members receive and other do not receive. That is not how I work with the legislative body of any municipality in which I work. In addition, we will not be provided safety sensitive information regarding criminal cases to
Allen concludes by saying he wants a functional and rewarding relationship with
Reach at or 740-353-3101.
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