Opportunities

[shinblind]

Here is the portion of the listing from the Michigan Municipal League for the opportunities the Ludington City Manager will have.

Opportunities

The next city manager will be able to take advantage of:

• A very well run city • Fiscal discipline and stability

• Experienced staff – (All department heads have 10+ years of experience in their departments.)

• Commercial and residential building standards that help protect the community character

• Rental Inspection Program • Sidewalk Replacement Program

• Redevelopment of downtown properties

• Addition of low/moderate income housing

• Addition of upper level housing in the business district

• Potential take over of the current privately run marina

• New Event Center being constructed on the waterfront

Assuming they are listed in the order of importance how well do you think these align with the concerns the voters of Ludington seek in a new city manager?

[Willy]

I have to take exception to some of concerns listed. If Ludington is compared to Detroit then yes it is a very well run city but compare it to many others, it may not look so good. The rental inspection program can be a disaster in a small community when not needed. Low income housing is a double edged sword. I don't think the taxpayers need the City to get involved in another marina. Event centers work in larger communities when year around entertainment is available. Ludington's cold weather seasons are not an attractive draw and cultural entertainment is almost non existent.

[Freedom Seeker]

Funny Willy ... Well run city compared to Detroit! Good one! Well the trucks do run well, you see many driving around. And don't forget to wave at them to make them feel respected.

[AQUAMAN]

Most of the DPW trucks in town run around in circles and to the bakery for donuts, not true work. Seen this for over 40 years, had friends working at DPW, they bragged about their time wasting to us too. As for fiscal discipline and stability, where's it at? It certainly has been totally lost in the pensions, infrastructure, and overpaid city employees now for many years too long. If I were Mayor, I would certainly eliminate the MML from any future involvements with the COL for advice. They are totally worthless and a bad influence on any town's objective and positive future.

[Freedom Seeker]

For sure. Aquaman. The MML seems to have evolved into a sort of municipal employee representative and certainly had bloated the salary of city manager. I wouldn't be surprised if because John Shay was an officer that they want to justify his bloated salary. If our city had advertised the job for $70k I think we would have had many qualified applicants. The city didn't even try to advertise locally. It's really a shame.

[XLFD]

By using the MML exclusively, the City not only spent well over $10,000 more than they needed, but effectively narrowed the field of contenders to those job-seekers that also pay the MML big bucks to get them considered for jobs like these.  It's quite a racket.

[AQUAMAN]

The old days and ways of promoting good mgrs. from within seem long gone now. When you promote a local city employee, you will get someone whom cares about locals, has relatives and friends here, and that simply isn't in the picture today. We have to be forced into foreigners to Ludington, someone who doesn't know or care about our heritage here, nor has any friends or relatives here, and will not be afraid to step on any citizens toes that doesn't agree with city mgmt. overspending on priorities that only serve tourism. That's the shameful facts of today's type of city mgr. recruits, and the MML is just another overpaid agency with a strong conflict of interest.