Freshman city Councilor Ken "Mad Dog" Cockayne said he fully supports the plan to create a chief operating officer to make sure City Hall runs smoothly and efficiently.
"We need someone at the helm who understands the finances," said Cockayne.
Cockayne said the mayor's duties are "so overwhelming that he doesn't have time" to supervise department heads to the degree needed to squeeze out savings for taxpayers by streamlining operations.
He said he's sure that a chief operating officer position would easily pay for itself.
Cockayne said that even city councilors who oppose the post ought to be willing to put the measure on the ballot so the public can decide what's best.
"Let's keep our own personal views out of this," said Cockayne.
He said that if councilors reject the Charter Revision Commission recommendation to create the position, he'll lead an effort to gather the several thousand signatures needed to hold a referendum on the issue.
"I feel very strongly this is an issue that people should get the chance to decide," Cockayne said.
Instead of "the select few of us seven" on the City Council, the choice should be made by city voters come November, he said.
For those keeping score:
For the chief operating officer - Cockayne
Opposed, but willing to let public decide - Ward
Opposed - Rimcoski
Unknown - McCauley, Minor, Nicastro, Block
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
31 comments:
Mad Dog? I like it.
Cockayne needs to get over himself.
He's willing to get several thousands of signatures for a referendum on the COO, but he won't for the highly voter opposed mega school?
This guy is whacked.
Of course Ward is willing to let the voters choose. It releases him from actually voting "no" even though he claims he is opposed.
Union led? I think so.
McCauley Minor and Block are waiting to get an order from the Queen.
Cockayne needs someone to hide behind: a COO would do just nicely.
Kenny, I gather that you don't think that your mayor understands finances.
Maybe I underestimated you.
Are Cockayne and Rimcoski members of the same party?
Do they even talk to each other?
Ken Cockayne for Mayor!
2009:
Time to stop moving back-Ward!!
KEN AND MIKE ARE IN THE SAME PARTY BUT MIKE IS LED BY THE NOSE BY STORTZ AND UNION CONTROLLED.
Keep up the good work KEN they are getting nervous. LOOK AT ALL THE PROMISES THEY MADE AND TAXES ARE GOING UP. PLEASE HELP THE TAX PAYERS AND SLOW THIS UNION DOWN BEFORE ITS TO LATE.
Refresh my memory please.
Is Cockayne democrat or republican??
Rimcoski only talks to himself.
The COO, for the most part is a Republican initiative. Johnson and Cockayne both campaigned on this issue. The unions are adamently opposed to it, as are the candidates they endorsed - Rimcoski and Ward to name two.
We need progressive people in office, not people who are indebted to the unions who would simply leave things the way they are.
Thank you to Minor and Cockayne to taking a stand.
A COO as proposed will basically lock republicans out of the mayors ofice forever.
Is that what they want?
How will it lock the Reublicans out?
Please explain. (This is a genuine request, so please respond.)
Simply put, the democrats will continue to control the council.
Once a COO is selected (read mayors assistant), her/his future will depend on the council, who will want a democrat mayor to control appointments etc.
That person will act accordingly, "or else".
They will not go out of their way to make a Republican look good, just as current democrats will not do anything to make a republican look good.
Explanation is simplistic I know, but I trust you can fill in the blanks.
April 23, 2008 7:56 PM:
No, but obviuosly you're simplistic. You don't seem to know that there's a difference between a democrat and a Democrat.
Ken, why don't you go on vacation!
KEN ISNT MAD DOG HES DEPUTY DOG WHEN HE GETS DONE HE WILL CLEAN UP THE CITY. AND PUT A STOP TO THIS LOCAL UNION. NOT EVERY ONE WANTS TO WORK TILL THEIR 80 LIKE MIKE RIMKOWSKI.
I see the Union Hate monger naysayers are still on here. When will they come up with anything? I was going to say constructive but I guess anything is more appropriate.
Remember we have a leash law for your "dogs". Take them out once in a while for a crap !I see you still have Cockayne on your leash .
Ken Cockayne is a fiscally conservative, political leader with common sense.
I'm sure he's not a union buster nor do I believe he has the faintest belief in the possibility of that happening.
What I do believe is that he (as I am as well) is concerned with the tax burden on the common citizen. He is for fiscal and bugetary discipline unlike some of his tax and spend Democrat colleagues.
GOOD JOB DEPUTY DOG YOU KEEP THEM ON THE RUN .THE BOYS CLUB IS NERVOUS.
11:10 - Aw gee mom, thanks!
As he was all last year, Cockayne is a Zoppo supporter and follower.
11:10
You say that Cockayne is for fiscal responsibility.
Please explain why he wants to LOCK IN employee benefits with his plan to negotiate taking money from the pension fund.
How is Cockayne locking in anything? All he's doing is trying to find the cheapest way for taxpayers to cover the tab for the benefits that city employees are already entitled to receive.
Once the agreement is reached to utilize the pension fund, the city will be committed to those benefits.
To get Co-pay, or any other variation on those benefits will have to be regotiated, probably separately and at a cost.
Won't be any turning back.
Atta boy Ken, spend more money!
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