On Thursday 10-08-09 Vice Chairman of Paris Selectboard Ripley set out procedure for going out to find a new full time town manager for Paris. It seems Interim Thorne will be retiring - from Paris - 2-2010.
Consider: the Town of Paris is in a "situation" that makes hiring a manager in the middle of a lawsuit contesting the legality of the termination of an existing contract rife with possibilities for creating another suit by signing a contract with a new manager before finishing with the current "situation."
What is the wisdom in signing up a long term manager if that individual's position could possibly become null and void by a court ruling against the town in a suit as mentioned above?
Consider: Why the rush? What is to be gained? What could be something that a back might need to be covered against? Is there something that the public at large is not privy to?
It is indeed true that there is no requirement in municipal law for the way a town manager position should be advertised, except, of course the federal requirement for equal opportunity employment that simply makes it plain there can be no discrimination. But there is solid business practice, and there is common sense.
Consider this nebulous "different direction" that none of the "firing three" selectmen has ever felt like defining - since the instant birth of that term on the night of "the firing" 4 months ago. No explanation, despite the fact that firing has changed - and is threatening - the financial landscape of our town. How much of this lickety-split search procedure will focus on an understanding of, better yet, an unspoken agreement with, this different direction?
Consider the pieces missing from Selectman Ripley's procedure (above) for finding a new manager. The qualifications for manager should be, specifically....what? Or, perhaps, not what?
Consider: what was so unacceptable in the former town manager's job performance that she had to be fired the very minute Mr. R got on board - with nary a word since from anyone on that board of selectmen about why. Whatever that undefined quality was that got Sharon Jackson fired, how do the three plan to insure that quality will never again be found inside the Paris town manager's office? Will that plan also be a secret from the public?
Exactly how many days do you want this full time manager, Mr. R? Are we talking a 32 hour work week? More? Less? When this individual gets pulled out of the proverbial hat, what salary will be offered? You have that all worked out, do you, with the figures in the budget? The cash flow is in complete control....you say?
And the reason you needed to launch this plan at a special meeting, rather than your regularly scheduled selectmen's meeting? You were hoping the voters in which town might not notice....?
