PTC Council’s firing of Randy Gaddo was ‘misguided and myopic’
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 - 4:42pm
Submitted by Letters to the ...
Submitted by Letters to the ...
Our City Council and mayor made a misguided and terrible decision when they voted to endorse our neophyte city manager’s recommendation to decimate our Leisure Services Department and the associated citizen commission.
Even setting aside the personnel involved – yes, I’m a card-carrying member of the Randy Gaddo fan club and I think no one on current council or the mayor or the city manager are even worthy to breathe the same air as him – I firmly believe this decision is not only wrong but it’s extremely short-sighted. It is moving Peachtree City backwards instead of forward. That becomes painfully apparent every time the city manager or anyone else tries to defend their actions.
Peachtree City takes great pride in its accolades – they are all prominently listed on the city’s website. But I truly doubt the city will be winning any more awards in the future because of this irresponsible choice.
Just take a look at other award-winning cities across the country that are similar to Peachtree City. Sammamish, Wash., was #12 to Peachtree City’s #8 ranking on the 2009 Top 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S. survey published by CNN/Money Magazine. Their population is roughly 1,000 more than ours but they have a vibrant Parks & Recreation Department as well as an active Recreation Commission.
Westerville, Ohio, was #15 in 2009; their population is also about 1,000 more than ours. They too have an active Parks & Recreation Department and an involved Recreation Advisory Committee.
None of the 2010 cities in the CNN/Money magazine list had populations under 50,000, so I decided to check other U.S. cities that are approximately our size.
Annapolis, Md.’s population is roughly 2,000 more than Peachtree City’s – they have an active and effective Recreation and Parks Department as well as a dynamic Recreation Advisory Commission. The same is true for cities such as Dover, Del. (34,120), Helena, Mont. (27,037), Juneau, Alaska (30,711), and Jefferson City, Mo. (37,615). And there are many more examples I could cite.
What the heck were our elected and appointed officials thinking? What model was used to justify the soundness of this decision? I won’t even address how conniving and detestable I think it was for the public to get only 26 hours notice of this vote. To me and many, many other voters in Peachtree City, this is just another huge red flag pointing to a foolish decision made by myopic politicians.
Cele Eifert, Lt. Col., USAF (ret.)
Peachtree City, Ga.
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 7:37pm
#2
Now Gym
That's the old Sergeant Major coming out now which is why I admire you. Let me know when you're back in town so we can have another adult beverage.
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 7:50pm
#3
Mike & Beverages
We'll be back in town Jul 14th. Man is it nice weather out here right now---and also nice to buy stuff with zero sales tax and last Sunday, I went out and bought a bottle of wine just to see what it felt like to buy alcohol on Sunday! On Pennington, gesus, guy's got 38 yrs of experience in 8 different towns--now I don't know what his contract says, but if y'all work it right, you can probably run him off in about 18 months!
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 5:18pm
#4
Response to Cele
Cele, this city has GOT to get its budget under control. First and foremost. Above all else.
Making "easy" decisions and letting go of the small fry isn't going to cut it. We all love Randy as a person and the organization he represents, but as you pointed out, this isn't personal.
I'm not a fan of some of those on council and it is unfortunate whenever people have to be let go, but I do applaud them in this instance for making the tough choices that those we elect SHOULD make, without concern for their own popularity or political futures.
In a way, I think Secret Squirrel's comment below is more correct than not. Everyone will agree at all levels of government that cuts need to be made and spending trimmed, but its only "wrong" when its something or someone we care deeply about. That is a misguided and shallow approach to solving a problem. Being a government and being in debt is a pairing we're all so accustomed to these days, its become mainstay and even acceptable in modern day America.
And look, just because the city is making this cut now doesn't mean we can't bring Randy back in the same (or modified) role in the future, if he'd be willing. The same goes for the leisure dept as a whole. I'm willing to take your bet that 10 years from now PTC will still be one of the top 10 best places to live in America. The city is and always will/should be bigger than one man.
But the budget must and should be brought under control first.
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 3:26pm
#5
Colonel
As in the military Peachtree City's management is not a democracy!
Neither is the management of corporations.
They have no hearings, hear no witnesses in public, and hire and fire whom they need to.
As I have said before if every move or loss of personnel requires the public to comment or vote, then nothing would ever happen due to the hassle!
Many nice people lose elections and get fired when not needed or wanted by upper management.
If a law was violated, then that course could be taken, of course.
It is nice to have friends in office but not to the extent that your hired upper management has their hands tied.
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 3:01pm
#6
Hey Seal, here's a project for you
Seal (that's how you pronounce Cele),
You have about 30 days before you qualify for that PTC Council seat. So try this in the meantime - put all those towns with Rec Depts on a chart with population and their tax rates. Think you'll find higher tax rates than PTC across the board. Got some extra time add a column to see if they have an economic development person. More time? Find out how much businesses in each town contribute to the tax digest vs. the residents. This last one is the most interesting.
This will be good stuff that you can trot out during your campaign and later when sitting up there on city council. Love to see you there. I am perfectly serious. You would be a good replacement for Eric the Red or Dougie.
Oh yea. For extra credit on your chart project, find out how many have a strong city manager and how many have a goofy motor mouth for mayor.
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 1:42pm
#7
Just more "smaller gov't"
So this isn't what conservatives have in mind when they talk about reducing the size of government? Or is it only wrong when it affects someone you know and like?
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 4:09pm
#8
Squirrel
This realignment will cost the same, if not more, within three years. Announcements for the new hires have yet to be posted, salaries have yet to be determined, and my money is on that after four years the cost will be higher.
This is not a democrat/republican/liberal/conservative issue, but more of an out of control Council headed by a 'know it all' who by his own admission is an expert in all things Peachtree City.
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:50am
#9
Mike King
Randy is a standup guy, I'm not disputing that and am very sorry he got the axe. Randy was VERY dedicated to the city, but not unlike many other employees, that you don't know. Why do I keep thinking that if it had been anyone else, you'd probably be applauding cuts to city government, especially in management positions. Although based on the tone of your typical posts here, I'm guessing you would probably find fault some other way to attack the Mayor on.
As far as someone being an "expert in all things Peachtree City", I thought you already held that title.
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 1:29pm
#10
intheknow
Until proven to the contrary, Randy was indeed the wax that held our recreation programs together. In case you missed it, my objection was to the manner in which he was terminated. Further, it is my contention that in three years time those cuts will be voided by new hires only to see less productivity for more cost.
As far as my sentiment towards our mayor, well let's just say that I am not alone in my criticism.
It is refreshing to see that you can think for yourself, now try harder and, who knows, someday you might be right.
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 7:08am
#11
Mike
This realignment will cost the same, if not more, within three years. Announcements for the new hires have yet to be posted, salaries have yet to be determined, and my money is on that after four years the cost will be higher.
This is not a democrat/republican/liberal/conservative issue, but more of an out of control Council headed by a 'know it all' who by his own admission is an expert in all things Peachtree City.
Mike- We both know you're guessing at what this will precipitate and that's fine. You may very well be dead-on right. But your agenda, as usual, comes through. My point was speaking more to the quick-draw conservative rhetoric of "smaller government." It would seem they think it's a great thing... until it affects someone they know. Randy deserved better; Peachtree City's residents deserved better. I think we all agree on that. The danger is in thinking that the next wave of mayors and council members will somehow be problem- or controversy-free, regardless of political persuasion.
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 1:54pm
#12
Hmm secret squirrel
Your characterization of his letter as hypocrisy suggests that you know of the writer's political philospohy. Do you?
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 7:04am
#13
A wedge of philosophy
Your characterization of his letter as hypocrisy suggests that you know of the writer's political philospohy. Do you?
Google isn't just for breakfast anymore. She has a rather unique name. From there, her political leanings are more than apparent.
So, yes, I do.
You calling Jim Pennington a "neophyte" is akin to folks continuing to call you a "butterbar" after you made Major just because the insignia colors are the same!