Mayor's morale cure: 'Be nice'

DADE CITY -- Mayor Scott Black on Tuesday night suggested some simple fixes for the complex issues of morale and discord perceived among City Hall employees: patience and understanding.

Before debate could begin on City Manager Doug Drymon's investigation into a longtime employee's litany of disharmony at City Hall, Black asked for understanding and said simple solutions would likely work better than any governmental interference.

"My appeal is: Let's all try to work together," Black said. "Just be nice. Don't take things personally. Don't wear your feelings on your sleeve. Turn the other cheek. What's wrong with that biblical principle?"

Drymon's study began after Utility Department secretary Joy McKinney distributed a 15-page memo to city commissioners May 5. In a list of incidents, McKinney complained about inappropriate comments by department heads and employees, late paychecks and a lack of action by Drymon.

Drymon's study found little concrete evidence and nothing warranting criminal investigations.

After Black's appeal, other commissioners appeared to fall in behind the mayor.

Black even referenced the spirit of former mayor Charles McIntosh, who died Monday.

"He did not whisper behind people's backs," Black said. "He was a sweet, gentle, moderating spirit."

He urged everyone, commissioners and employees, to try to be more like McIntosh.

Commissioner Hutch Brock agreed and said some of the morale problems reported at City Hall might be the result of "swirling rumors."

Brock said city managers need to do more to prevent small problems from becoming big ones, but he said he agreed with Black's call for peace.

Commissioners Eunice Penix and Lowell Harris also agreed.

Penix urged everyone to deal with each other with patience and love.

Commissioner Bill Dennis, who had earlier concerns about the depth of Drymon's report, even deferred to Black's appeal. But he said the city should set out to revise employee manuals, specifically forbidding sexual harassment, and he said the city needs a grievance procedure that allows employees a level of appeal above the City Manager. He suggested an elected board of employees might serve that purpose.

Dennis said he would give management a month to come up with suggested changes.

In the meantime, Black urged everyone to pitch in.

"Let's try to work together," Black said. "Let's look at ourselves and ask what can we do to make things better."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright