Former Mayor John Leone said the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors unanimously backed the proposed creation of a chief operating officer.
“With a $200 million budget in the city of Bristol, in a city that’s continuing to grow, we just feel the necessity to have professional support for the mayor’s office is essential.”
Leone said the chamber officials were divided about a possible city manager form of government, but had few doubts about hiring a professional to help supervise city government and provide greater continuity.
“It would be very helpful to have somebody there who would be there administration to administration, Democrat or Republican, it makes no difference,” said Leone, who has been head of the chamber since he left the mayor’s office.
Leone said the mayor’s job today is “an awesome” one that takes more than one person can offer. He said adding the position would take the city to the next level.
He said with growing complexity and a push for regional solutions, “there needs to be someone in the trenches on an administrative basis.”
Terry Parker, a resident active in Democratic politics, said the position could be created today without revising the charter.
Parker said that the mayor and City Council could hire someone to do the work envisioned for the chief operating officer right now.
He said he's concerned that putting it in the charter might sidetrack "the will of the people" as shown by those they elected.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
2 comments:
Will Leone tell the public who he has handpicked for the position?
John just wants to have someone who will pull the strings after he retires.
He just won't let go.
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