Update: Musical chairs
Greensboro City Manager Mitchell Johnson was removed Tuesday night -- from the dais, that is.
Mayor Yvonne Johnson asked the manager to sit on the council chamber floors, with the rest of the city staff, instead of up on the dais with the elected officials -- lest there be any confusion about his role.
The manager said he requested the move -- something some council members have asked for in the past -- after residents expressed confusion about his job. They did not to understand whether he was elected or not, he said.
The manager took his new seat, next to the city attorney, at the beginning of the meeting.
Meanwhile, the mayor gave a snapshot of the manager's recent job review. She said council member were pleased with his recent hires to his office and the way he handled a recent directive to respond to budget concerns. Council members said the manager had improved his communication skills -- but still needs more work, the mayor reported.
They decided not to give him a raise, the mayor reported, because it would be in poor taste considering the current economic troubles.
UPDATE: We here at Scoop are constantly being reminded that we should not try to be clever.
To that end, we got two complaints today about this post. So, to clarify, the manager requested this move.
The mayor asked for a general opinion of the council. There was support and opposition for the seat change, and one council member who said the whole issue took focus off more important things.
And then the mayor told the manager to go ahead and sit down on the floor with the staff -- adding that she might very well call him back if she decides it didn't work out.
Hope that clears it up. And to those confused residents, the manager is an appointed employee, not an elected official -- no matter where he sits.
Comments (3)
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It's OK with me if they move his chair to the parking lot; across the street.
Posted on December 18, 2008 12:57 PM
Of course he should sit with the "staff"
He IS staff !
Posted on December 23, 2008 10:26 AM
"The manager said he requested the move . . . after residents expressed confusion about his job. They did not to (sic) understand whether he was elected or not . . ?"
When I heard the Manager say that people don't know if he is elected or not; I thought this is JUST ANOTHER dopey comment from Mr. Johnson.
Maybe the people who don't know that the city manager is not an elected official should read the newspaper or look at the local ballot.
Do these people even vote? If they do, it's no wonder that the Greensboro City Government is so poorly run.
Posted on December 27, 2008 12:16 PM