Kent Myers Finalist for Job in Missouri
City Manager Kent Myers is one of four finalists for the top administrative post in Columbia, MO.
The previous city manager of Columbia was making $150,000 a year, but Columbia's mayor said the salary would probably be increased in order to attract the best candidates.
Columbia's population is 108,500.
The previous city manager of Columbia was making $150,000 a year, but Columbia's mayor said the salary would probably be increased in order to attract the best candidates.
Columbia's population is 108,500.
posted by Tom Harper at 10:16 PM
57 Comments:
Well, isn't THAT just too telling? His second application in 3 months?
We could have thought the Corpus Cristi job was "career advancement", but the job in Missouri is just "Get me outta Port Angeles ASAP!" desperation.
He is having to face the prospects of firing the last major holdover from the "old council", Glenn Cutler, and to straighten out the expensive messes that tyrant has made. HarborWorks didn't turn out so great, and the town continues to empty out as people flee for better opportunities elsewhere.
And, so does the City Manager.
"The other finalists — none of whom has the city managerial experience of Myers, who held the top post in three other cities before coming to Port Angeles in December 2008 — are Lori Curtis Luther, city administrator of Waukesha, Wis., Mike Matthes, assistant city manager and chief information officer of Des Moines, Iowa, and David Vela, assistant city manager of Abilene, Texas."
Yes, I can see this is a plum job, highly sought after!
Go Kent, go!
Good. Bye - bye.
The question now is - Is the Olympic Peninsula prepared for an earthquake and/or tsunami?
Can we have community leaders who take seriously the threat of earthquakes and tsunamis in their decision making?
How many years was that chlorine tank located next to the harbor - no problem. Is it really wise to put a poo tank on the Rayonier site and is it even necessary?
How fast will the only hospital slide down the cliff if we have an 8.9 or 9.0?
Is anyone in the county or city government even concerned about this?
"Is anyone in the county or city government even concerned about this?"
I am. Not that I'm saying that I'm necessarily affiliated, associated or in any way connected with county or city government. Especially city government. But I am concerned. Deeply concerned.
Congrats Kent I hope you are successful, because getting out of Port Angeles is like winning the lotto
I'm going to love the disaster that destroys this cesspool! Welcome to Hell rednecks!
"Is anyone in the county or city government even concerned about this?"
And what could they do about it? Is anyone going to approve a property tax increase to pay for a $100,000,000 bond to build a new Hospital?
From what I know about the climate in Missouri, it would take someone who grew up in Texas to even consider wanting to live there. Mr. Myers must be feeling like a catfish out of water here in the Pacific Northwest. The PA City Manager job was a bad fit for him (and us) from the beginning.
I've read up a bit on Columbia City, MO and on the other candidates for the manager job, and am betting that they select Lori Luther (Waukesha)for the position. Columbia sounds like it is fairly progressive (provides health benefits to same sex domestic partners of city employees, for example). Among other things, Luther should get sympathy votes for wanting to flee the right wing politics of the likes of Wisconsin's governor Walker.
"Is anyone in the county or city government even concerned about this?"
It will be interesting to see how the city responds to the lessons from this disaster in Japan. It is hard to believe, after watching the images of the tsunamis washing into those towns, that those responsible for civic planning will return to business as usual.
With litigation being what it is in America, how will they be able to say they didn't know of the outcomes, in advance.
forget the hospital, forget the poo tank...what about a higher ground road to get the hell out of the area? We're sitting ducks if (or, when) we have a quake and tsunami. Highway 101 winds along the water, and in several places dips into Tsunami zones....no other route out, which is very obvious when we have some bonehead accident and there is no way to route us AROUND it.
Might as well re-name Port Angeles to Minamisanriku2, because we'll be washed away like that town of 17,000, and those who survive will have no shelter, no food, no hope of rescue (for many long days).
Good riddance, Myers...don't let the door hit you in the ass.
Don't forget that the downtown area is built on fill. Depending on the strength of the tsunami, downtown will be devastated at the least, swept out to sea at worst and the bluff will probably be so weakened it will collapse whatever happens.
I'm not sure anything will change with a new city mananger. The problems in this town go far deeper than a new city mananger a few new city council people. It's almost as if we have to destroy the town in order to save. Maybe a tsunami wouldn't be so bad after all?
I think that he is just one of these greedy assholes looking for a better wage. I won't miss him, he's an idiot.
After the downtown area gets wiped out by a quake and tsunami maybe the city and city planners will wisely turn it into a park.
Na, they're idiots.
What will a tsunami look like here? Well, I think I know being as I have a bit of experience with such. The water isn't likely to rush in like the videos we are seeing of Japan.
They will simply rise sort of fast, and then leave in a hell of a hurry and pull the buildings out with them. That's pretty much what happened in Kodiak, Alaska when I was there in the big quake in 1964.
"I'm not sure anything will change with a new city mananger. The problems in this town go far deeper than a new city mananger a few new city council people."
You are probably right. Look how much things changed after Madsen left.
We may not be able to rebuild all the older structures in lower Port Angeles, but we sure as hell should not be spending $40 million to build NEW city facilities in a tsunami zone! That is just plain stupid, and irresponsible. The public deserves better than THAT.
I've heard he's actually taking a pay cut to go there.
What can the city do to prepare for a 9.0 earthquake? It can't even fill in potholes.
So I've been thinking about this whole city manager thing and it seems to me that what we need is someone with a lot of experience especially local broad experience. Someone who's family and roots goes back here broad and deep to understand the long game, if you know what I mean. It sure seems like its not rocket science or anything to manage a town, just common sense. That and maybe a understanding of modern issues like Facebook and medical marijana.
Anyway, I was talking about this with my uncle Dick and he agreed and said that heck, I had as much common sense as anyone, and the common touch or something because people like me, like my uncle does. So anyway I got to thinking about the issues and everything and what can I do to make this a better place to live (Facebook page for PA! Duh!) and help everone make sure this is a better place both for the those living here now, and those living here in the past and future too. So if you want me to I'll throw my hat in the fight and sign up to run for city manger. I'd run and win and do my best for all of you, because I am all of you, in some way. Like my uncle said, the common touch. So if anyone knows where I can pick up a application for to run, I'm all over it. Thanks!
On a different topic. The money spent to keep the road to Hurricane Ridge open, and the results.
The Dept. of Interior spends a reported $250,000, the County, and cities of Port Angeles and Sequim $45,000, and local business groups another $30,000. $355,000 to keep the roads plowed.
How much is that, per day?? How long a stretch?
I didn't see the money spent in advertising to promote the road being open.
And, what return did the taxpayer get for this money? An increase of less than 2,000 visitors for the month of Jan.
I'm sure those numbers will really help keep the Olympic Peninsula afloat.
Another great project in Port Angeles.
Also on another note, What happened with the Clallam Business Incubator? The taxpayers loaned it $750,000, when do we get that money back, is Jim Jones going to promote another levy to get the taxpayers to fund another loan of taxpayer money? Kinda like the pool?
Another topic --- Speaking of tsunamis and preparedness:
The Nippon paper mill is built in a flood zone as it is. What would be left of it if a tsunami even half the size of the one generated last week in Japan were to come barreling down the Strait? What would happen to Port Angeles Harbor if a tsuami wave permanently destroyed Ediz Hook?
What would happen to the Plywood Mill, the boat yard, and all the structures - including the new medical clinic - that are built only a few feet above sea level?
Yikes!
"What would happen to the Plywood Mill, the boat yard, and all the structures - including the new medical clinic - that are built only a few feet above sea level?"
There is only so much we can do about things already built in danger zones. Policies already exist that will not allow structures to be rebuilt (if they burn down, get washed away, or whatever) in known flood plains. Remember the aftermath of the floods in the '90s in the Mid West?
And, if you read through the various planning documents for Port Angeles, they have lots of reassuring phrases about discouraging building in known flood areas, etc.
But, as we see here in Port Angeles, when it comes to actually paying attention to these known problems, the medical building gets it's building permits, and the city plans for it's most expensive public works project RIGHT along the waterfront.
Who cares? Very few. Until the inevitable disaster strikes. Then those of us who survive will hear "How was this allowed to happen".
Git the hell out o' here! Leave the landlubbers to their fate!
Yes - Port Angeles is very vulnerable. As for the hospital, I would hope with all the money put into expansion in Sequim, they would include an auxilliary ER that can be put into action if something does happen to the hospital.
Only the low lying areas will be wiped out, maybe the hospital and homes on the bluff. But the rest of us will do fairly well and go on.
It's not my fault that stupid educated and intelligent people live on waterfronts when wise people don't.
Here's a thought, light up a joint and enjoy the day as your city leaders and planners try to help you develop the downtown area.
One of mans biggest faults is that he has a problem admitting that he made a mistake in judgment.
I read that our city manager, after not getting the job in Corpus Cristi, said there were no other applications.
Here we are only a few months later, and he has applied for another job.
Hello?! City Council! What more do you need to hear? Your City Manager is doing everything he can to get away from Port Angeles. The $157,000 you are paying him each year is not enough to compensate him for all the crap he has to put up with here.
What does that work out to? About $3,000 a week? About $500 a day? And that is not enough in podunk Port Angeles? Listen to what he is saying! : "GET ME OUT OF HERE, ASAP!" Why?
So, when does the City Council figure out what is going on here? He is doing everything he can to get away from here, and they keep saying how wonderful he is, and how lucky they are to have him?!?
Wow. Pretty sad.
Hey people ---- if we would like to speed Mr. Myers on his journey out of town, maybe we should snuff the negative talk and instead say nice things about him in public, like the Mayor did.
So ----- To recruiters from Columbia MO and anywhere else considering Kent Myers for a manager position, please listen-up:
We here in Port Angeles highly recommend Mr. Myers to you. He is personable, presentable, and positively positive. We are positive that you will think so too.
FOR GAWDS SAKE! Isn't there enough to deal with around here that there are more important things to worry about than whether on not a person is looking for another job, somewhere else? It would be incredibly naive of our city council to think that anybody (especially a "Hired Gun" City Manager) coming to Port Angeles, after a lifetime of living down south, would stay here very long. Family, career opportunities, weather you are used to, all are decent considerations for looking elsewhere. While it is nice to say we should hire local, find someone who is committed to the area, how many times has THAT happened over the last 20 years or so? Jim Jones, over at the County is the only one I can think of. High quality, local talent, moves away to gain experience (because there are so few opportunities here)and gets established there (wherever "there" happens to be). It's tough to get them back.
Does Myers get a severance package for leaving, like the last one? How much is THIS going to cost us?
Re: severance package ----
probably he'll get less if he leaves voluntarily. However, the City started him off on Day 1 by giving him a large bank of vacation days, and he has probably accumulated quite a few more since then. So - a good guess would be that even without a golden parachute severance package he would leave here with a sizable check paying him for many weeks of unused vacation time, and maybe unused sick time, too. That can be a pretty hefty sum at his salary rate of $157,500/year.
but what you are saying is we DO NOT KNOW what sort of package he has when he goes. What did the last few bumbling bozo's get when they left?
The fact that the severance package isn't KNOWN, means that ...it might be pretty sweet. I'd like to know for certain, but this stupid paper doesn't "DO NEWS".
"I'd like to know for certain, but this stupid paper doesn't "DO NEWS"."
And this is "news" to you? The PDN works hard to be sure you only know what they want you to know.
Well I for one don't want to know how big Meyer's package is.
The quotes from the City Manager in todays paper are pretty funny.
He says he is leaving, whether he gets the job in Columbus or not. He'll stay for a "period of time", but didn't want to comment further. He has enjoyed his time here, but, it is time to GET OUT OF TOWN! NOW!
He wants to get out of town before the radiation arrives!
Interesting articles in the Columbia Missouri newspapers about the city manager interviews. Among the revelations:
All of Kent Myers's competitors have experience in much larger cities, and earn substantially less he does here. (Ex: Waukesha Wisc - population 70,000; city manager salary $115,000/year.)
In response to a question about dealing with economic issues, Myers reportedly told the columbianmissourian.com that he "has worked to improve the local economy in Port Angeles by working with local industries to help them expand. In terms of the budget, he has worked to patrol personnel costs that include reducing costs for overtime and temporary salaries. In addition, he has reorganized the city staff, which resulted in elimination of some position to help with the budget."
".. he "has worked to improve the local economy in Port Angeles by working with local industries to help them expand."
Oh! Oh! I know which ones! The ones that clean out the vacant buildings after businesses close up in Port Angeles! And, the moving companies. Truck rentals, too!
What a great guy! Port Angeles is in such great shape now. We sure cannot do any better than Kent Myers. Their gain will be our loss.
Run, Kent, Run!
He's a coward. If Kent wants to LEAVE, he should just leave. Why does he have to apply to jobs to make the excuse he wants to leave?
He's a short timer, and should just be fired. He'll just suck away cash and do less than nothing. Time for him to GO, and good riddance.
It must be hard looking for a new job and having so many people learn about it and about what you're saying to prospective new employers. The Internet has certainly added some new twists to career changes for public officials.
Something small, but it irks me: The media keeps reporting that Kent Myers has been city manager in Port Angeles for 2.5 years. Not so. He started on the job in early January 2009. Yeah, its just a matter of a 3 - 4 month difference, but when his time here has been so short, it's inflating the facts to say 2.5 years.
He's probably lying on his resume...2.5 years sounds better than 2 years and change.
If I had an employee that I KNEW was seeking other employment, and so visibly, and loudly, I'd let them go. Fine, don't want to be my employee, then vamoose! He's obviously unhappy, and he's obviously not into being our employee. Time to leave.
Plus, he wouldn't have this problem of people discussing him, and/or queering his chances if he weren't a public employee, here.
Let him go. We should be spending our $$$ in finding a new job candidate, and searching for someone who will be dedicated, and stay here longer than 2 years. What a waste of money!!! The search costs... here we go again. Wonder how much we'll have to pay this time!
Fire Myers....find someone who will care about our town.
Tom: FYI, Kent did NOT get the job.
Good, now FIRE HIM!
Get rid of the loser, and get someone who wants to be here. He cannot be effective if he's just shopping for another job and using this town as a stepping stone.
FIRE HIM!
Of course he didn't get the job. People in any town he applies for can find this blog and see what people actually THINK of him. He should just slip into the night and look for a job on his dime, or we'll queer the deal, every time.
From the PDN clip, it sounds like he is going to announce his resignation in a week. He can't really NOW say "Well, I tried to get another job elsewhere, but nobody would hire me, so, I guess I'll stay here".
If he doesn't quit, he SHOULD be fired.
KM stopped Max from posting here under "The Watcher". I hate him for that. Hopefully the next city manager will allow Max to post as "The Watcher" again!
You people are all pathetic, Kent has done a better job than any of you people could have done.
You are quick to critize, but slow to compliment.
Typical for poor, sad, angry people.
You all should have done something with your lives, then you would not be so evil.
"You all should have done something with your lives, then you would not be so evil."
As if you know who any of us are, and what we do. For as much as you know, I could be Kent Myers assistant, and really know what he does.
"Kent has done a better job than any of you people could have..."
Kent Myers came here touting his credentials as a certified city manager, with training and experience in the professional association of municipal managers - ICMA. It's a no brainer to expect him to do a better job at managing our city than any of the posters here.
The point is that Kent apparently has the ability to know how to manage well, but instead of tackling the entrenched special interests who have kept the city in their self-serving grip for so long, he opted to just go along and get along. In short, he didn't perform well enough to earn the big bucks we are paying him, and our hopes for improvements under his administration have been dashed.
He could still redeem himself by heading into City Hall today and firing a few people, and then locking his door and refusing to answer phone calls from the likes of some former mayors.
Make a new start, Kent. Live up to your potential!
8:51am....thanks, Mrs. Myers..I'm sure you always stand up for your husband.
The people of Port Angeles do NOT select the City Manager, and have no say in who gets hired, for how much, or what employment benefits and packages they might be entitled to.
The people who hire are the same people who WORK FOR HIM, once hired. Myers was selected because he wasn't going to rock the boat. OBVIOUSLY.
The next city manager hired, will also be hired by the people who will work under the next city manager. They will NOT pick someone they cannot CONTROL.
Seriously, folks, we need to change the way our city government works.
well said anon 8:51am
You touched puhed button here.
all you anti-everything people need to go back to your soap opera's and get off the internet.
"The people who hire are the same people who WORK FOR HIM, once hired."
You have no idea at all how things actually work, obviously. The city manager is hired by the city council. And the city manager works for the city council.
I think Anon 1:02 PM has it right, and YOU, Anon 9:16 PM are either woefully naive or intentionally trying to mislead people. In theory, the City Manager is hired by the Council and works for the Council. But the way it really works here in Port Angeles is that certain "key" staff members are behind the scenes influencing the council's decision as to who to hire as City Manager. These same "key" staff members pretty much always dictate whatever the council does. Entrenched career bureaucrats know all the tricks to outlast and out-maneuver elected officials, and they're remarkably successful at doing just that. It's the career bureaucrats who are in charge at City Hall; not the council or this particular manager. I think we all know this, including YOU, Anon 9:16 PM.
"You have no idea at all how things actually work, obviously. The city manager is hired by the city council. And the city manager works for the city council."
Oh, yes. You have that right.
So, you have the "professional" city government, consisting of people who have made their positions a career, and are paid good salaries with benefits. These people can be in their positions in city government for many years, and are not subjected to election terms. They stay in office as the city council members come and go.
Then you have the "citizen" government, the city council, made up of anyone who can get enough votes to be elected, regardless of any qualifications they may or may not have. They install other citizens in the Planning Commission, based on a range of subjective criteria. These people, however well intentioned, are not professionals, and are seen as such by the "professional" city government. Endured, but not respected very much. They usually hold full time jobs, or are retired, and their inviolvement with the city government is essentially volunteer/part time.
"Staff" holds the power, and tells the part time citizens what to do, how to vote, and how to view issues. Look at any council deliberations to verify this reality.
Friends, we all know that the STAFF, as a political class, holds the power in city hall. The STAFF are unelected and accountable to no one other than themselves and their vested interests. The STAFF are self-perpetuating. The STAFF creates work for themselves, thereby justifying their endless existence.
It is necessary, in order to perfect our system of self-covernment, that this unaccountable, unelected politcal class, the STAFF, must be eliminated - by any means necessary!
The STAFF stands between the citizens and self-governance. Down with the STAFF!
It would be nice if we had some citizen's review abilities..over the staff of both the county and the city. (AND, one for police and sheriff's office.) This would be different than the city council, in that the citizens review would focus on complaints of the residents, oversee city management, report TO the council, and have weight to recommend actions, to balance out the hired "staff".
But, this is probably too advanced thinking for this town.
It's too bad, because the way it is working now...we are spending more than we are getting, we put all $$ in a "general fund", there is no long term budgeting, and the strongest personalities win, no matter what the "people" want.
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