WE Blog

I’m amazed. Not surprised, just amazed. What does someone have to do to not be hired by Wichita; retire with honor, leave with distinction, do a good job without making the people, employees and leaders of a city hate them?

We just “fired” a city manager with the same kind of attitude and leadership style and paid him well for the opportunity to get rid of him. So now we’re going to replace him with his clone.

Good job. Common sense is truly dead.

I listened to city manager candidate Salerno’s public interview by former channel 8 TV impressario and pundit, the seldom seen, Dale Goter. I was rather impressed by Mr. Salerno’s comments and record of experience in a number of east coast locations.

I presume Salerno is being paid well by our city government to travel to Wichita to take a look at Wichita and to have his brain picked by the mayor and city council. I suspect the mere act of being considered by Wichita will go on Salerno’s resume of recent experience.

Of course, on his tour of the City, Salerno had to see the stupidity of building the downtown arena for no logical economic justification. I suppose that could provide some modest incentive for a prospective city manager to claim expertise in rescuing an area around a new arena.

But my guess is Salerno, who might be one of the nation’s premier city managers, will want to remain in more populated areas on the east or west coasts where productive economic developments are more feasible and interesting.

Here in Wichita, attention is needed on improving infrastructure and completing on going projects such as construction of Highway 54/Kellogg … and get off this easy come, easy go by local politicians to provide more “entertainment venues for the people.”

Confidence by the taxpayers of both City of Wichita and Sedgwick County is at an all-time low so this needs to be rebuilt somehow.

Pat Salerno, with 18 years of experience managing rapid growth in Sunrise, Fla., appears to be a qualified prospect for the city manager opening — he’s experienced and results-oriented — although his forced resignation in his last job and reputation for secrecy are serious concerns.
By Randy Scholfield Posted at 5 hours and 24 minutes ago Filed under Wichita government
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Randy, just how in hell can he be “a qualified prospect for city manager: if he was forced to resign from his last job and has a reputation for secrecy? Is this what you consider a qualified person? Would hire him for your staff? You sure have low standards. Is this all Wichita can attract is losers?

Just what is your problem mrcontroversy? It is only tax money. We have a city Mayor and council that likes to not just spend money but to give it away with nothing in return!

AND RANDY THINK IT IS GREAT!

This morning’s Wichita EAGLE (Friday, 5/23/08) says the Wichita city council is ready to panic and offer the currently vacant city manager position to last week’s interviewee, Pat Salerno.

Salerno, remember, was long-time city manager of the city of Sunrise, Florida. Sunrise is a suburb of the fast growing dynamic Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida metropolitan area. Cities like Sunrise are going to blossom even if their city government shut down.

About the only thing fast growing in Wichita is tax growth, certainly not population or business growth. There is a reshuffling of Wichita’s retail fast food and commercial businesses to the east and west sides of town as they race to get out of the way of the new downtown arena mess.

Now I believe we are seeing Wichita’s architect and commercial real estate elites who serve on the city manager selection committee try to recruit a city manager who will continue to extract lots more taxes from middle class Wichitans “to develop the (unwanted, uneeded, white elephant) arena site for the people.”

The other obnoxious co-initiative will be to attempt to convert some portion of Wichita property taxes to a HIGHER SALES TAX. Why is this BAD? Because the tax-paying public will only see a “reduction” in their PROPERTY taxes, not the onerous increase in sales taxes that are more or less out of sight, out of mind … EASY COME, EASY GO TAXES. Perfect cover for big-spending bureaucrats.

Now back to Mr. Salerno, he probably is a top city manager prospect with lots of experience under his belt mostly in fast growing east coast states. Like all hired-gun managers, his primary goal will be to get the big-money tax pipeline going and, reportedly, as is already normal here in Wichita/river city, without any public input.

Is this what Wichita really wants?

Lindainks55: I would like to visit with you on the telephone. I didn’t realize who you were at the I.B. reception last Sunday. Call R.J. at channel 5 TV for my number.