The other day, Mayor Art Ward asked the Bristol Development Authority's commissioners to let him know which of the BDA's committees they'd like to serve on.
He said he would do his best to accommodate their wishes because he wants the volunteer commissioners to do what they most desire.
Howard Schmelder, a longtime commissioner, looked astonished.
Then Schmelder thanked Ward. He said that eight mayors previous to Ward had simply passed out assignments. "Usually, we're just told" what to do, he said.
"I tried that at home," Ward said. "It didn't work."
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
8 comments:
This is nice of Mayor Ward to ask where they want to serve, but it would make more business sense to me if he placed them were they are best suited with experience or knowledge, not just where they want to go.
And what was/is there to keep the Commissioners from speaking out?
Of course, it is not their nature for most of them to question anything.
Did Schmlder support or question Rosenthal all those years?
2:46
Who writing your script: Ellen?
Art Ward:
I agreed with the concept and the idea of the BDDC initially. It seemed like a good idea from Stortz & Co.
However since Bill is unable to put aside personal prejudices and his own vindictiveness it is appearant he didn't assemble a good organization.
The idea in my mind is officially a failure. Disband it now and let the inept BDA take over. Fix the inept BDA by appointing some new people.
..."The idea in my mind is officially a failure"... One more reason why you shouldn't listen to the little voices in your mind...
To the 10:06 poster:
If you recall, Stortz had mentioned a number of names that he would have liked to have make up the committee.
Nicastro, Minor and Zoppo pushed to have each councilman submit a name.
Therefore, it is not "Stortzs" committee, but one made up of 7 different sources of nominations.
It is still a good idea, in only because it would have kept Rosenthal out of the picture.
Stortz did suggest Wright, whom the democrats did not nominate, as well as a few other good people.
Ward isn't some kind of power monger, which is why he is willing to listen to what committees the BDA commissioners might want to serve on. Most of them ought to know their own strengths better than he does. He is free to dismiss their requests, but he probably will go along with it unless a real problem crops up. He's not wrapped up in ego and doesn't feel compelled to micromanage. He brings a much-needed sense of humor to the mayor's job. He knows his own limitations and also knows something about being a decent person. He brings a breath of fresh air to that stale office.
It's really killing all you naysayers that Art Ward is actually turning out to be a pretty good manager.
Keep up the good work Mr. Mayor.
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