What is our new Mayor up to? (Colorado Springs: salary, budget)

[YoYoSpin]

I keep hearing about long-time employees of Colorado Springs falling under the axe of our new Mayor Bach, but there never seems to be any explanation published on what lead up to these dismissals or what the Mayor's grand plan is. The latest to go is Lisa Bigelow, city budget director and an employee of CS since 1994, placed on administrative leave yesterday, with no public explanation as to why. Perhaps he's just clearing out dead-wood or cutting fat. But it looks to me as if we have hired a bully for the job of Strong Mayor. Bach, are you a bully?

[PokerMunkee]

I wouldn't worry about it. This happens all the time in the business world when a new CEO or VP comes onboard. A new person is hired to shake things up and make changes for the better.

I'm pretty sure her termination is due to leaking out private emails between Bach and her. If you can't trust someone, they usually don't stay around long. She also put in $1.3 million worth of pay increaes into the '12 budget when Bach had called for a salary freeze. Not sure why someone making $120k/year would be so stupid in risking their career.

[phetaroi]

Bach makes me nervous.

A bad employee is a bad employee, and needs to go. But it shouldn't depend on the personal whim of the mayor. I'm not sure which it is.

[Terytee]

Keep in mind, many times a company or organization will not, or can not release reasons for someone's termination, as that is also a matter of privacy for the employee.

[mtngigi]

Originally Posted by YoYoSpin

I keep hearing about long-time employees of Colorado Springs falling under the axe of our new Mayor Bach, but there never seems to be any explanation published on what lead up to these dismissals or what the Mayor's grand plan is. The latest to go is Lisa Bigelow, city budget director and an employee of CS since 1994, placed on administrative leave yesterday, with no public explanation as to why. Perhaps he's just clearing out dead-wood or cutting fat. But it looks to me as if we have hired a bully for the job of Strong Mayor. Bach, are you a bully?

That seems to be the $64,000 question. It's been interesting to observe.

[iknowftbll]

Originally Posted by mtngigi

That seems to be the $64,000 question. It's been interesting to observe.

$64,000 question? Is that the Mayor's salary?

[otowi]

Originally Posted by iknowftbll

$64,000 question? Is that the Mayor's salary?

It is a reference to an old game show. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_$64,000_Question. It is now a colloquial phrase meaning the big question.

[iknowftbll]

Originally Posted by otowi

It is a reference to an old game show. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_$64,000_Question. It is now a colloquial phrase meaning the big question.

Ah...Forgive my ignorance. I've never heard heard it used as a colloquialism before. Thanks for the info!

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by Terytee

Keep in mind, many times a company or organization will not, or can not release reasons for someone's termination, as that is also a matter of privacy for the employee.

Absolutely true. Been there, done that.

[Terytee]

Yup....I don't know anything about the mayor, but it's also easy to assume he arbitrarily dismissed someone, but we also don't know what kind of employee the former budget director was either. What if she was misappropriating funds?