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Cooperation didn't last long
I was among one of many who were pleased last Friday, when the incoming and outgoing commissioners of Public Safety stood together in the City Council room and announced that Christopher Cole would be the city's new chief of police.
With the spirit of cooperation the two politicians displayed, I was hopeful that any further appointments made before the end of the year would play out in a similarly forward-thinking manner. I was, instead, disappointed today to learn that Commissioner-elect Rick Wirth was not involved at all in interviews of the three candidates for Assistant Chief.
No word on when the announcement of that position will be made, if at all.
With the spirit of cooperation the two politicians displayed, I was hopeful that any further appointments made before the end of the year would play out in a similarly forward-thinking manner. I was, instead, disappointed today to learn that Commissioner-elect Rick Wirth was not involved at all in interviews of the three candidates for Assistant Chief.
No word on when the announcement of that position will be made, if at all.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
6:05 PM
7 Comments:
It is probably most important that Wirth was able to sit in on the Chief's interview and a good example of how decent people should behave, regardless of political affiliation.
However, every commissioner has to take the job with the staff in place. Why does it matter if they were appointed by a previous commissioner one month or ten years prior to another person taking over.
Are we all under the assumtion that Wirth cannot work with anyone other than people he directly appoints? Give the guy a chance.
Would a republican commissioner hold off on making appointments to be a nice guy?
This is the saratoga form of government. We all complain about it but never vote to change it. Face it, Ron Kim can make the appointments he chooses and so can Rick Wirth until the day is is no longer in office.
Andrew I notice they have the MENORAH on public land in celebration of Hannuka and we wish our jewish friends a happy holiday.Wouldn't it be nice if there was a nativity scene on display as well in celebration of Christmas.
anon 1:58 a.m.: You are, of course, correct that Kim has every right to make the appointments. I'm also confident that Rick Wirth will live with whatever appointments are made.
However, after the two got together on the police chief nomination there were a lot of good feelings, both from the political and professional sides of the equation. I had hoped that the spirit would continue. That's all.
anon 11:16 a.m.: Where is the Menorah? Personally, I prefer to see a very strong barrier between the government and any kind of religious celebration. So, no, I do not think it would be nice to have a Nativity scene on public land, and I'd prefer that the menorah be located at a private venue as well.
Of course, I'm in a small minority on this.
Andrew - this blog infers that Wirth is upset that he wasn't involved. Maybe he didn't feel the need to be, maybe he and Kim talked about the candidates for the position. Maybe he said "Hey, Ron, you know these guys - whatever you think is best." Wow - imagine that story - Wirth trusts Kim to make appointments! Not to mention that the civil service is pretty straight forward on who "should" be hired based on test scores and measures.
So - Unless you have a story, with Wirth claiming that there is "no cooperation" - it is not fair to throw out such assumptions and spin the thought of "cooperation didn't last long".
It's on broadway next to the Arts council building.
anon 9:55:
It's not an implication, it's a statement of the incoming commissioner's view on the matter. Please see his comments in this story: http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/12/12/news/doc4b2319284decf249619237.txt
as far as I know, the list for Assistant Chief is 3. One was interview by both already. One candidate is the choice of both Kim and Wirth. My prediction is it won't matter who makes the appointment....it's all going to work out.
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