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CITCOM is 'more capable than ever' Thanks for allowing me to respond to your opinion that the CITCOM meetings’ tone and mood had changed for the worse. While I agree the meetings have changed, I believe the change is beneficial and will lead to significant improvements for Royal Oak. Since I began attending CITCOM meetings several years ago, I have felt the discussions were much different than those observed at successful businesses. While the CITCOM meetings offered camaraderie, congeniality and hefty doses of corn pone, they were light on fact, analysis and perspective needed to make decisions that stand the test of time. Historically, the corn pone played well to the casual observers, but the decisions have led Royal Oak into a financial crisis with no solution in sight. The composition of the CITCOM changed with the last election and it is more capable than ever. The CITCOM is attempting to address city issues in a more thorough business like manner than in the past. However, this legitimate examination of the issues is now being stymied by the City Manager’s inadequate preparation. This prevents productive discussion and delays progress on important matters. The natural reaction of some Commissioners is frustration and I suspect this is the source of what is being called a change in tone and mood. But just like those of us in the work force who have faced a change in management, the City Manager needs to adjust. If he does, it will allow the CITCOM to perform in a manner that will significantly benefit all of Royal Oak.
_____ Also see: City Commissioner Gary Lelito comments on CITCOM's performance during his Conversation with VersagiVoice. |
VersagiVoice headlines for CITCOM reports Keeping in mind the difference between colleague and friend, one would have to characterize CITCOM as a collegial body. Even though one or two may dislike each other and those dislikes may show up occasionally in body language or in an outburst, the commissioners and the mayor most often adopt the appropriate institutional mindset when they sit at The Table. And it is that mindset which establishes the mood for the meeting on a given night. VersagiVoice headlines attempt to capture that varying mood, and the consecutive headlines, below, range from neutral, through jocular, to praise for individual commissioners, to kudos or censure for the meeting as a whole. Worrisome is a noticeable change in tone from, say, December 2007 to the present. And it is about that that perceived change that Geof Vasquez, at left, disagrees. The tone, the mood, of CITCOM meetings has changed -- May 2008 CITCOM meeting turns into Court TV A busy CITCOM meeting CITCOM turns petty Our good guys are back: CITCOM gets it done Disappointing CITCOM meeting: These guys are better than that If CITCOM were a unionized entity CITCOM at its best: This is how representative democracy should work -- Dec 2007 CITCOM's first 2008 meeting was business-like and cordial CITCOM's last 2007 meeting: Christmas spirit prevailed Another quiet and short CITCOM meeting About that unseemly CITCOM duel Long but productive CITCOM meeting CITCOM holds a non-meeting It was a dark and stormy night The best kind of CITCOM meeting Two brave souls: Commissioners Drinkwine and Lelito vote no -- Aug 2007 |
Frank, I also wanted point out that out that I am
25+ year Royal Oak resident and a graduate of Albion College.
Professionally, I have served in senior level positions in the health
insurance/managed care industry. Currently I serve as a Strategic
Performance Manager for a multi-billion dollar insurer where I assist a
variety of business units to achieve their goals. -- Geof Vasquez