Council gives Mudd high stamp of approval

All five members tout his job performance, calling the city manager a hard worker, honest and innovative.

By ANNE LINDBERG

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 25, 2000

PINELLAS PARK -- City Manager Jerry Mudd has pleased all five of his bosses this year, including the one who wanted to fire him two years ago.

City Council members raved about Mudd's job performance in their annual evaluations, saying he's honest, innovative and hard-working. Their overall ratings of him ranged from E, meaning he exceeds expectations, the second highest ranking possible, to the highest ranking of O for outstanding.

"Jerry exhibits an exceptional desire and patience to fully understand the concerns, processes and issues that impact our city, its residents and employees," wrote Pinellas Park council member Ed Taylor.

Taylor added, "Jerry continuously raises the performance bar for himself and members of his administration, including this member of council."

Taylor gave Mudd an overall rating of outstanding. Agreeing with that were Mayor Bill Mischler and council member Patricia Bailey. Council member Chuck Williams gave Mudd an overall E-plus. Council member Rick Butler did not fill in the blank for an overall rating, but he ranked all other items with an E. Thus, the overall rating would have averaged out to an E.

Most council members have been pleased with Mudd's performance since he became city manager in July 1997 after the council fired Jim Madden. But Mudd found it harder to please Bailey.

Bailey flayed him in her 1998 evaluation, accusing Mudd of lying to her and saying he ought to be fired. Bailey was furious over Mudd's firing of Assistant City Manager Peggy McGarrity.

All that was forgotten in this evaluation.

Mudd "shows leadership and growth," Bailey wrote.

She explained her about-face this way: "We have to be willing to change (our) opinion when things change."

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