Fed up by
Republican complaints that he is moving too slowly to consolidate government
departments, Mayor Art Ward recently offered to let the GOP-controlled City
Council spearhead the process.
| Bristol Mayor Art Ward |
“It is quite
evident, based upon the City Council’s level of frustration and suggestions of
the consolidation efforts not being done readily enough, that the members of
the City Council seem to possess more expertise on this project than I, or
anyone else involved up to this point,” Ward recently wrote in an email to the
council.
Ward said he
would “graciously entertain nominations for the names of any City Council
members who wish to volunteer their experience, time and wisdom to become the
chairperson of this effort,” Ward wrote.
The mayor
said that nobody has yet expressed interest in taking up the position.
The move
followed complaints by two GOP councilors – David Mills and Derek Czenczelewski
– about the slow pace of consolidation efforts.
Ward said
the initial push has been to try to consolidate the computer divisions of City
Hall and the Board of Education. He said it probably wouldn’t save money but it
would improve efficiency.
Mills asked
the personnel director in an April 11 email obtained through a Freedom of
Information request how come nothing has been mentioned about other potential
areas for consolidation, including “vehicle maintenance, putting all buildings
under one department and all public grounds under another.”
“Has this
even been discussed yet? It has been five months since it was proposed to the
mayor,” Mills said.
Ward wrote
back to Mills, “Patience is a virtue.”
Mills fired
back: “In other words, it hasn’t started yet.” Link to full story
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