Wichita City Council members Tuesday went out of their way to offer effusive praise for Assistant City Manager Scott Moore, who will take over next week as the city’s interim city manager. In the past three years, Moore, the former city manager of Ellsworth, has overseen eight of the city’s 17 major departments and is said to be widely respected throughout City Hall.
Vice Mayor Sue Schlapp called Moore “an up-and-coming guy” who has “so much potential.” Other members used words such as “steady” and “responsible” to describe him.
So why didn’t Moore, who applied for the city manager position, rate an interview as a finalist? Is City Hall neglecting its up-and-coming talent?
14 Comments
Probably the best solution to the current city manager vacancy is to offer Scott Moore the job for a one or two year term. His instructions should be:
1) Get Wichita’s infrastructure repaired before its too late … including streets, storm sewers, water lines, sanitary sewers, bridges and overpasses.
2) STOP providing additional recreational “venues” at great expense to taxpayers.
3) Give the public time to consider reorganizing the city government organization to give the public more input into the spending of their tax dollars.
4) Put a hold on “visions” by the current holdover city council people until new council people can be brought aboard next April.
Many more ideas by WE Bloggers. Got to get ready to go.
Good luck Scott Moore.
JWink
I agree. Scott Moore looks like a good choice for a number of reasons. I would add that since he has not been over-hyped like these out-of-town hotshots perhaps he will have some humility and work WITH staff and neighboring cities instead of trying to lord over them.
I would add that I’m sure he can turn to Flentje and others at WSU for advice whenever he needs it.
It is good that this council is constantly looking for new revenue sources and keeping expenses down. That’s why our bond rating has gone up.
The public has six months to provide input into the budget. Workshops have been open and information available since Kolb was hired. However these are 600 and 300 page budget packages. Very few citizens are taking the time to understand and provide input. Departments have been going to DAB’s to explain their budgets and ask for input.
Infrastructure repairs are going on all over the city. That’s why people complain about the orange cones. Chris Carrier is reaching out to effected businesses to minimize construction impact.
This council has done a good job. “Venues” bring in revenue to our budget. Initial expenses that result in increased income. That’s the value of experienced Council Members.
I’ve seen “the value” of our experienced City Council members. I’m not impressed with what seems to be their best ability — that of hiring expensive consultants. It’s time people are elected who are both willing and capable of doing the job themselves. Is this current bunch truly incompetent or just lazy? Either way, Wichita doesn’t benefit from their experience.
Lonny – how about having Council meetings so working taxpayers can attend without losing a day’s pay?
Go Scott!!!!!!
Ben, I think we would be better off if the “Council” did not have any meetings – they “do stuff” at those meeting and that’s what gets us all in trouble.
I think “house arrest” would be the best scenario for all council members. That way, they couldn’t “do stuff.”
“You are never a prophet in your home town” it is said.
For some reason, the guy from out-of-town is always the “expert” while we ignore the guys and gals that grew up here, or in the area.
Let’s see, he has the respect and praise.
* Already ran almost 50 percent of City Manager functions
* Is highly familiar with Wichita
* Is steady and responsible
* Has City Manager Experience
So, what is Wichita waiting on now they that have been left the wall flower by that Florida guy?
Even worse, we ignore those who moved here from elsewhere in the past and are now residents. We have seen how things are done elsewhere but now have a vested interest in Wichita. However, in the eyes of some (e.g. Joe! Williams) we are still ‘foreigners’ even after decades here.
Sharon Fearey could care less. She terms out next year (unless they vote to get rid of their term limits). She is planning on having Nile Dilmore’s (State Representative – Dem.) run in her spot. Won’t that be a nice power grab. One on the State level and one on the City level.
Paul Grey is also termed out as is Sue Schlapp. So these folks could care less.
Jeff Longwell has proven to be a disappointment. He talked one way when he ran for office and another since he has been in office.
LaVonta Williams has proven to be follower. What the others want she agrees.
These folks need to get serious. I agree with the above blogger that the city council meetings should be held in the evening so the average person can attend.
They messed up big time on the city manager, the Warren loan is over the top and the list can go on.
The city council should step back, re-evaluate the situation, move their meetings to the evening and get the people’s (they represent)feed back on issues.
Evening meetings would be a value. We have the same situation with other city board meetings. However a lot of business is conducted at these meetings and in addition to the extra costs of having city employees are the additional costs to other individuals.
This is often discussed in candidate forums at election time. The DAB’s do meet in the evenings and almost every issue coming before the council goes before the affected DAB’s first. Sharon Fearey always has two meetings a month to keep citizen input as do some other council members when necessary.
The council meetings are replayed on TV and are always available on demand on the web. Many citizens that do not attend their DAB’s will contact their council member who may state that citizen’s position when they address that topic.
Also every DAB sends out email requests on items that are or may come up on the agenda. Just ask the Neighborhood Assistant to include you or subscribe through the city’s e-subscription program.
I have regularly attended city council meetings for the last ten years and am often impressed by one citizens ability to cause the council to reconsider an item.
I am more often embarrassed by the insulting way some address our council and how easily they make untruthful statements that can mislead others.
Reg,
Moore reportedly sides with those who would like to preserve and revitalize the Boathouse.
Which could be one big reason why Grumpy Old Man Jack DeBoer and the GOBN consider him suspect enough.
for me maybe, but i’m not really sure it’s would go smooth with my grandfather
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