Acting City Manager and Director of Public Works Rich Oller resigned today amidst allegations of inappropriate language usage by saying the N-word. Mr. Oller firmly denies using language in a denigrating way. Instead, Mr. Oller says that he used the N-word in a description of it’s use by someone else and his disgust of the way it was used. He maintains the description of the conversation has been taken out of context.
League City recently changed its form of government from strong mayor form to council-manager form. Traditionally in council-manager form of government, Mayor and Council set policy, while the day to day operations of the city are left to professional managers. In his letter of resignation, Mr. Oller describes the issue he has with City Council. His description is the the Council “stays in the operations and assessments of staff and renders the position of city manager ineffective.” in contradiction of the Charter Change that made League City a council manager form of government.
Political Jocularity in League City has been cited over the past so many years for the government’s inability to manage itself and properly plan for the future.
14 comments:
Actually, the League City charter contains a gap underneath the high level responsibilities of the city manager. The charter even acknowledges that fact. People can assume all they want about what a city manager form government means, but assumption doesn't make law. For these reasons, to make a long story short, city council adopted a "Governance Policy and Rules of Procedure" on January 24, 2012 to further detail who does what in city government. These rules fill the gap and better establish boundaries. Mr. Oller was involved in the creation of these rules. I know because I was there. While they contain no punishments for violation of their own rules--do we really need to specify punishments like all the Nazi homeowner associations?--these rules are objective and measurable, as opposed to being subjective and immeasurable, such as "Council will have an open mind." The fact is these rules were in effect for only 20 days when Mr. Oller resigned. If the meddling that Mr. Oller refers to has happened since Jan. 24, he should have brought that out to the public in these early days of the new rules, rather than rant about them in a resignation letter. I find it hard to believe that city council and/or mayor meddling in staff operations, which if it happened prior Jan. 24 did not violate city charter or policy, is the only reason for Mr. Oller's resignation.
one name says it all, Toni Randall. Thats where this all started down hill. Now we have Tim P and we have crashed. There is no leadership at City Hall and at the PD the officers are running the show. Wologo doesn't want to enforce anything a true yes man. Going back to 12 hr shifts, getting ride of the community officers, the good people are all quiting so now its Galveston PD north. Is that what we want in our City?
Joe this started with Toni Randall? are you kidding?? Oh Joe c'mon man. Like I tell my daughter...you must be honest with yourself before you can be honest to others. The P. D. did not support Jerry in his last run. I understand your problem with Toni Joe. Maybe (someday)you will get someone in there who will let you finish.
CM actually you are right on this one, it started with Frankovich, now that was a nutcase, are you sure Toni wasn't his offspring. Let me finish? Finish what? I just want to be able to come to work and not have all this drama surrounding us. As soon as YOU, Elaine Kosty, and Ken Clark go away we will have a much better place. Can I get an AMEN!
Let's hope the Council moves quickly to have a new strong permanent City Manager they are willing to work with. If this form of government is to work the Council CAN NOT be allowed to be involved in daily matters.
Well Joe I can only speak for myself. I have already lived here longer and will be here longer than you. Joe If you all would quit electing Ken you would be rid of him.
According to the GDN, he's now back...
http://galvestondailynews.com/story/295958
"The city does have plans to acquire more water, but the person who had been pushing those projects, former acting City Manger Rich Oller, resigned earlier this month.
But now Oller is back. He signed a contract last week that will pay him $175 an hour for consulting work."
So, roughly $7,000 a week or $28,000 in a month?! I wonder if that's more than he was making before he quit?
@Richard,
I don't think he is working full time.
-ME
Marc,
I'm sorry, but the contract is for three months. Are there limits on the hours he can bill the city for during that time? What about covering any additional expenses? How can we be guaranteed that this won't be milked given the circumstances?
Furthermore, within a week of him quitting he was hired on as a consultant? That's an awful quick turn around for the city to search for and hire another expert, especially at the potential expense here.
I know the city has a water crisis, and that we need to seal some deals (and fast), but this deal just feels wrong; and given the circumstances on why he quit, it also looks bad on the city.
Ha Chris M. that is one of the first times we will agree on something. Out with Ken!
So Rich "on again off again" is back as a high paid consultant. Really? of course we all know he is Toni's BFF, and it all makes sense because of his use of the N word and her use of the same word to anger then young man on her road rage incident.
Joe, There are a few things we have agreed on and fought for together. We both know that. But I guess that is the way of League City politics. It doesn't have to be personal.
Greetings League City, Texas! Deerfield Beach here...
I hear that our former City Manager, Larry Deetjen, is in the running.
Suggestion:
Don't. Just don't.
Read the letter I sent to your Commission and the one I sent Oak Lawn, IL three years ago.
Really.
Just say no.
Best to you.
Chaz
http://www.myactsofsedition.com/dont-just-dont/
Greetings League City, Texas! Deerfield Beach here...
I hear that our former City Manager, Larry Deetjen, is in the running.
Suggestion:
Don't. Just don't.
Read the letter I sent to your Commission and the one I sent Oak Lawn, IL three years ago.
Really.
Just say no.
Best to you.
Chaz
http://www.myactsofsedition.com/dont-just-dont/
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