It is becoming more evident each day.
The plan to lop off the department heads of Hollister is a bad
one.
Sure, it’s a fast way to save the city a lot of money in a
fairly short period of time.
But the results will be lack of leadership, a loss of
credibility and serious potential for chaos in city government and
the crucial services it provides.
It is becoming more evident each day.
The plan to lop off the department heads of Hollister is a bad one.
Sure, it’s a fast way to save the city a lot of money in a fairly short period of time.
But the results will be lack of leadership, a loss of credibility and serious potential for chaos in city government and the crucial services it provides.
The loss of Fire Chief Bill Garringer is the most dramatic. Why has no other municipality in similar straits taken this step?
Because it doesn’t make sense, especially with a second fire station right around the corner and protection already stretched thin compared to other cities of similar size.
The City of Hollister is lucky to have someone of Garringer’s experience and expertise. As pointed out in last Friday’s Free Lance, Garringer is on the scene of every fire and also wears the hats of several other roles within the fire department.
Perhaps just as important, the firefighters of Hollister are firmly behind their leader, which is an issue of confidence and fire-fighting execution in a military-type regimen.
The same basic arguments can be made for Barbara Mulholland as leader of the Finance Department and Community Development Director Bill Card.
They are in positions of leadership for a reason. Their compensation is commensurate with their experience.
Some job layoffs might be necessary. But let’s take the more traditional approach and start from the bottom, those with less impact to the big picture, even if the cost savings is smaller.
City Manager Dale Shaddox and each member of the City Council should be feverishly working to come up with a better solution – such as a stronger plan to collect outstanding debts – not hiding under their desks until Jan. 28.
Dropping the part of the plan that would get rid of Garringer, Mulholland and Card is the necessary first step.
