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October 01, 2008
John Rucker
Police Captain John Rucker’s likely appointment as the new Assistant City Manager appears to be a good move.
I had heard rumors Rucker was in contention. I’ve always found Rucker to be upfront, diplomatic, and well-rounded.
His experience with public safety unions and budget negotiations will help him as Assistant City Manager, especially given that public safety represents the most significant share of the City’s General Fund expenses.
It’s clear with Dave Burkland’s appointment as City Manager and now Rucker as eventual Assistant City Manager that the City Council feels strongly about promoting good people internally.
The public tends to focus on big, public debates over land-use issues and budgets when measuring the success of the City Council.
But one of the unheralded tasks the current City Council has been doing over the past few years is work diligently to interview, recommend, and sometimes appoint key senior City personnel.
This is a very important role. Councilors come and go, but for the most part City staff members stay longer than several Council terms. You cannot underestimate the significance of a good senior management appointment.
Unfortunately, it's very hard to know with 100% confidence if an appointment will work out long-term since management is a people business and people - staff, Councilors, and the public - are quite fickle.
Today's Scrabble word is agama, a small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of the Old World.
Posted by dan_nt at October 1, 2008 04:55 PM
Comments
It would be difficult to find a better person for the job. I've worked with John since his rookie days, and he is a diligent, wise, and conscientious officer. He also has a great sense of humor. John has been a tremendous asset to the community, and this change will fit him perfectly. What a great selection by Dave Burklund and the committee.
Posted by: Helen at October 2, 2008 07:29 AM
The appointment of John Rucker is a smart move to say the least. He will finally bring a public safety perspective to our city staff administration. Not to say the former have not understood nor appreciated, but Rucker can bring the invaluable first hand experience. It will not be a loss for the PD as they now have one of their own who is able to advocate for them and all other public safety personnel and services.
Posted by: Jeremy Wilson at October 2, 2008 08:30 AM