Hire more people.
For starters, I’m a little confused about the new assistant city manager’s role. The N&R reports that Mike Speedling will “oversee the police department, the fire department, Guilford Metro 911 and the human resources department.” In justifying the need for the new position — in spite of the $11.2 million budget deficit —- City Manager Rashad Young cited the large number of U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment discrimination complaints, the most troublesome of which have come from the police department.
However, Young added that the “city’s employment and discipline issues are more systemic than just the police department.” Honestly, I can almost see hiring a full-time to focus only on human relations because government workers — who never have to worry about job security — are constantly raising issues. But I’m not exactly seeing the compatibility between public safety and human resources. Help me out if I’m missing it.
As for the proposed federal lobbyist — the N&R —- big surprise — thinks it’s a good idea, rationalizing “it’s necessary to spend money to get money — at least when the federal government is involved.”
The feds are shipping money in barrels, but they just have to go looking for more.
Update: In this morning’s print edition, the N&R reports that City Council member Mary Rakestraw “was sold” on Speedling’s extensive resume, while Mayor Bill Knight says “Young will have to find something that can be cut from the budget to make up for the additional salary.”
Today’s N&R lead editorial — to its credit —- says “Young should deploy the resources necessary to get the job done,” adding that he “deserves the City Council’s support, but with the understanding that results count.”
We’ll see.
