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February 06, 2008
The Big Toe
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| Image: New permanent City Manager Dave
Burkland wearing his "I'm A CI Guy" button. Interim Temporary City Manager Elect Dave Burkland has been appointed to the second highest position in the city. The top position is City Attorney who in the city flow chart floats off by herself in an impenetrable bastion of legal power. It's hard for an outsider to know whether or not Dave Burkland was the best qualified person to lead Chico out of its troubles. He knows the city, its employees, and its personalities. That background could be the most important component of directing an organization. But as an insider his ability to make decisions that hurt people he has professional relationships and friendships with will probably be tested. When in the Army I served as a squad leader in a couple of different units. In one unit I was promoted within my platoon. All of my buddies were now my subordinates. They knew where I slacked off when I was in their position. It was difficult to demand changes in behavior when all of my foibles were exposed. When transferred to another unit the same position was much easier to lead from. My subordinates never knew me as "one of the guys". As the only person in Chico that was nearly elected City Manager I feel a strong affinity with Dave Burkland. I hope he does well, and he's certainly the kind of person we should all want to succeed. With another mega lawsuit rumored to be coming their way he's probably got a lot of tough times ahead of him. Burkland only has to stay in his position 21 months to surpass our last City Manager's tenure. But to ease his transition, and ensure his popularity, here are some new policies he could recommend to the City Council... 1. Allow beer in city parks 2. Eliminate the no-couch on porches law 3. Create a mandatory couches on porches law 4. Allow beer on couches on porches in city parks |
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| An Offer Of Support: I've embedded the video below. At the 5:35 minute mark there's an offer Bill Murray makes to Drill Sergeant Hulka that I'd like to extend to Dave Burkland (You can watch the entire 6:42 seconds if you like). |
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CI Challenge: Can you guess what it is? Winner: Kathy, the spectre of Commission Impossible, who is she, how did she attain all of this knowledge? We'll never know. See comments below for the answer. |
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Posted by Lon at February 6, 2008 08:23 AM
Comments
1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, natch!
Posted by: kathy at February 6, 2008 08:37 AM
What is the mega lawsuit? Is it another friend o' park lawsuit?
P.S. I just ran outta "Support Disc Golf in Chico" bumper stickers the other day. You got anymore of those, or were they a limited run? After the rain eases up I'm gonna start hitting the courses again. I got my bag out and have been sorting my discs.
C.I. Challenge is the Devil Brigade Logo, the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.
Posted by: TrevHastings at February 6, 2008 08:45 AM
CIC- Out on a limb, I'll say 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.
Posted by: Sean at February 6, 2008 08:48 AM
Corrected
CI Challenge= 1st Brigade COmbat Team, 1st INF DIV
Posted by: anon at February 6, 2008 09:44 AM
grahh kathy. tip o' the hat to you.
Posted by: TrevHastings at February 6, 2008 02:06 PM
Trevor,
What is the mega lawsuit? Is it another friend o' park lawsuit?
No comment... except that what I heard about has nothing to do with the Friends O' Park.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at February 6, 2008 02:07 PM
ok i'll take your word for it.
Posted by: TrevHastings at February 6, 2008 02:21 PM
Dave Burkland is a hard guy not to instantly like.
Jennifer and I met with him and Dennis last Tuesday to go over some ideas for improvements of the public art process. It seems this is always a touchy subject in Chico, especially with the staff in charge of it. There's been a pretty low turnout of local artists for the last few projects which is amazing, considering the money involved and the talent that lives here. We're still working with the committee to revise the policies and procedures which started back when I was on the commission. It would be great to increase participation and get everything on the City website to keep the process more accessible and transparent.
This should be something to keep an eye on. It would be a great place to see some new leadership.
Posted by: Gregg Payne at February 7, 2008 07:15 AM