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Editorial on search for city manager is misguided

Re : Dunedin needs help finding new manager , editorial, April 27.

Whoa! Your continuing meddling contributes to the ugliness of Dunedin's search for a new city manager. Our city commissioners last week reached an amicable solution, and your moralistic editorial is misguided. We suspect that you have had no experience in hiring a city manager (if anyone!) or in the use of a so-called headhunter. Regrettably, it appears that our present city commissioners have not had such experience.

Anyone with corporate or military experience should recognize this is a natural "promote from within" situation. What would be wrong with giving a 25-year employee with a proven record a one-year contract to demonstrate her capacity to handle the job?

If she can't, only then would it be appropriate to use taxpayer dollars to conduct a search.

Our commissioners might do better by listening to "influential residents" who do have experience in such matters.

Mayor Bob Hackworth is to be commended for his conciliatory effort. Commissioners Deborah Kynes and Julie Scales deserve credit for reciprocating. You're the one who should be embarrassed by your repeated efforts to "stir the pot."

F.L. Gus Cooper, Dunedin

Let city manager proceed without illogical interference

Re : Dunedin needs help finding new manager , editorial, April 27.

Why do you want to tell us how to run our city when you don't live here, don't know this community, and cannot even watch our City Commission meetings as many of our citizens do, thanks to Ch. 15?

You talk about "illogical conclusions." How do you conclude that only so-called "influential residents" (your phrase) support acting City Manager Maureen Freaney to continue as city manager? Support of Ms. Freaney is widespread in this community and, yes, may include your so-called "influential residents." What is wrong with that?

And why do you call Commissioners Deborah Kynes and Julie Scales "illogical?" Because they were insisting on parameters on contacts with consultants so that some semblance of trust could be brought to this process? Or because they objected to the mayor's contacts with a consultant who had not been retained by the commission, but was being considered again? How "logical" is it for you to dismiss the concerns of two commissioners about the appearance of inappropriate behavior? Were you editorializing on verified facts?

By the way, what about the logic of Mayor Bob Hackworth saying, according to the editorial, "If someone would move to hire Baenziger, he would vote against the firm just to prove he wasn't biased." Guess what? In the end, Mayor Hackworth voted for Baenziger.

We now have a procedure in place, with a consultant, to hire a city manager. Let us proceed without your misinformed, illogical interference.

David R. Pauley, Dunedin

ATV tragedy should be a wakeup call to all parents

Re: Boy copes with losing twin in ATV crash, story, April 29.

A 12-year-old lacks the maturity and experience needed to drive any sort of a vehicle other than a bicycle. Kids have no business in traffic of any sort.

It is heartbreaking enough that Matthew Prive, 12, died from his injuries. From the way the accident was described in the story, all four people involved could have been killed as a result of this tragic accident.

All-terrain vehicles provide no protection and are nothing but a death trap for young and inexperienced drivers. Not only will Marc Prive mourn the death of his twin brother Matthew, but he may also feel responsible, since he was at the wheel when the accident occurred.

It is up to parents to use their better judgment when determining what activities would be most appropriate for their children. As we all live and learn, perhaps this tragedy will be a wakeup call to other parents who are considering recreational vehicles for their children.

[Last modified May 5, 2006, 12:20:45]