Potentially Good News For the Arena?
Maybe some good news finally?
Wasn't sure where to post this, and it needs some explantion I think. Was in the Sacramento Bee this morning. When the series of arena proposals collapsed a year ago, one of the things that was discussed at that time was that there was a MAJOR personality conflict between Bob Thomas, the Sacramento city manager, and John Thomas, the Kings President and the Maloofs' designated point man on the arena issue.
Well, Bob is out:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/local_government/story/13834812p-14675339c.html
Thomas will leave job at year's end
City manager jokes, grows emotional over decision after pressure from council.
var ppt=new Date(); var ppp=new Date('Wed Nov 9 02:15:00 PST 2005'); var ppe=new Date(ppp.getTime()+1*(86400000)); var ppv=0; if (ppt < ppe) { ppv=1; }
By Terri Hardy -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, November 9, 2005var ppn='Page A1';if(ppv==1){ppn=''+ppn+'';}document.write('
Story appeared on '+ppn+' of The Bee');
Story appeared on Page A1 of The Bee
In an emotional announcement Tuesday night, Sacramento City Manager Bob Thomas said he will retire Dec. 31, signaling an abrupt departure after nearly seven years as the city's top administrator.
Sometimes cracking jokes and occasionally near tears, Thomas said he was proud to be leaving the city in great financial shape and on the verge of a downtown renaissance.
"There's always tension between a city manager and the council," Thomas said. "But you can't dwell on these tensions. The issue that has been worked out is in the best interest of the city." OAS_AD('Button20');
Flanked by a City Council that had pressured him to step down, Thomas' usual businesslike demeanor was gone as he faced the media, city workers and community leaders at a City Hall news conference.
He made light of the tensions, quipping that he first grew concerned when the council discussed getting him a get-well card after a recent kidney stone surgery: "Three were in favor, three were opposed and three abstained."
As he ended the news conference by saying that he looked forward to spending more time with his family and "preparing for my next career," onlookers gave Thomas a standing ovation, some with tears in their eyes.
Afterward, council members said it will be necessary to appoint an interim city manager as Sacramento launches a nationwide search for Thomas' replacement.
Given the short time frame and the proximity to the holidays, Councilman Steve Cohn said it was likely that the interim city manager would come from the city's management ranks.
One of the possibilities is a relative newcomer from Portland, Ore. Ray Kerridge, an assistant city manager who oversees several departments including planning, building and economic development, has won the confidence of the council and been popular with the development and business community because of his efforts to streamline the city's cumbersome building process.
Kerridge last week sidestepped questions about whether he would be interested in the job, saying he has kept his focus on his current responsibilities.
The announcement wrapped up a bizarre week of behind-the-scenes political machinations over Thomas' future. Last week, council members said old wounds, personality clashes and a recent controversial appointment spurred a majority of the council to conclude that Thomas should retire.
Mayor Heather Fargo, who has long been at odds with the city manager, on Tuesday praised his fiscal leadership and his push for revitalization of downtown and the waterfront.
Fargo was at times flustered, calling Thomas the "city attorney" at least twice. She said the decision for Thomas to leave was amicable and rumors of tensions were untrue.
Sitting in the audience was former mayor and city councilman Jimmie Yee. After the public airing of tensions, Yee said the council had little choice but to put on a united front.
"They had to put on their happy face," Yee said. "But this is a huge loss to the city."
Thomas' departure also poses sticky practical problems for the city. It is looking at launching a $70 million public improvement campaign to be paid for with bond funds. And the process of drafting next year's budget is ready to begin.
A year ago, Thomas said he and other other top managers would be leaving city government within the next three years. When he first brought up the subject last week after learning about rumors that he would be fired, Thomas talked about a phased-in retirement plan over a period of months.
But Cohn said Tuesday night it was clear from recent events that Thomas decided he had to make a clean break by the end of this year - "to get things behind him."
The city did not release details of Thomas' retirement package. Thomas, 56, has worked in government - including a stint as Sacramento County executive - for 34 years. He's also served in the California National Guard for 34 years and now holds the rank of colonel.
His resignation brought to a close a tumultuous week of backroom negotiations in City Hall that first surfaced Nov. 1, when rumors spread that Thomas was being fired.
But Thomas and Mayor Fargo squelched the rumors that evening, telling The Bee they weren't true. Still, Thomas brought up the subject of his retirement, and the next day seemed to back off his statement.
Fargo and other council member then explained that they had intended to discuss personnel issues involving charter - high-ranking - city officers including Thomas on Nov. 1, but the item had not been given proper legal notice.
That meeting was moved to Tuesday. In addition, Fargo and Councilmen Robbie Waters and Rob Fong said Thomas had told them he would be announcing his retirement at the next closed-door session with the full council.
At his news conference, Thomas said he was most proud of his financial stewardship of the city. Under his direction, the city had a balanced budget when other cities and counties were in financial straits.
He pointed to the city's investment during his tenure, including building three fire stations, two libraries, and a 911 communication center. The restoration of historic City Hall and an addition of an adjoining administrative building were highlights, he said.
"It's not about the building, it's about a symbol of the future of Sacramento," Thomas said.
Fargo said the city wishes Thomas well and "hopes to call on him occasionally" to help.
Cohn was the only other council member to speak during the news conference.
"It's been an honor for me to serve with this manager," Cohn said. "He is a top-notch guy."
I know nothing about the man, nor whether the purported conflict was his fault or John's, or even if it was true. But it seemed like this might have a chance to be a significant under the radar event in the arena quest, and starved for good news as we are...who knows?
