John Wilcox has resigned from Mayor England's administration. He says he is simply tired and wants to enjoy the retirement he set aside to join England's team. He was the campaign manager during the primary and general election. The proof of his effectiveness is shown by the results of the election. Although he didn't say it directly, I believe John was somewhat reluctant to enter the fray full time. I think the England team has lost a valuable member.
Mayor England is now presented with an opportunity to reshape his team and continue to move forward with an active agenda for the city. Should he replace John Wilcox with another person with the title of Deputy Mayor? Or, should he let that title reside exclusively with Carl Malysz? My opinion is that John's share of the title should be retired and not be re-filled.
Regardless of who comes in to fill Wilcox's position, it should be someone with a wealth of experience in city government. If that is not the direction the Mayor wishes to go, perhaps he'd like someone from outside government, the person should, at least, have the ability to function on an equal basis with the heads of various departments in the City, and that means he or she will need to have experience.
Mayor Garner was rightly faulted for some of his early appointments. Now that events have opened the way for Mayor England to again add defininition to his administration it is my hope that he makes the most of that opportunity.
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3 comments:
That's a good man this city is "losing."
Was there any indication that John took a look around the third floor and decided the city would get along just fine without his putting in 40+ hours a week?
The good news is that John Wilcox should now be available to mentor any number of concerned groups in effectuating results - without any perception that he is carrying out someone else's wishes.
I can think of a campaign team or two that could sorely use his counsel.
And on that note, John Gonder, what do you think of the idea that the County Council might now be the final say on city budgets?
I would hope John's retirement will still allow him to become involved in community issues.
As far as the County Council having a veto on City spending, that concept elicits a gut reaction of NO. One could even see it as a backdoor path to city/county merger without the putative benefits of efficiency.
It seems there are perspectives within the city that would not be well served if the county controls the purse strings for the city.
If I were to bet on this one, I'd say it won't have legs.
John's leaving is a big loss to the city's team. He is a joy to work with and one guy who really "gets it."
I hope he will keep a hand in.
John Miller, Director
CHDO
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