As has been widely reported, a letter from the Mayor was filed with the Clerk's office shortly before 5:00 pm yesterday advising City Administrator Bibi Taylor of her separation of employment with the City of Plainfield.
The Council's main concern is the efficient and uninterrupted management of Plainfield. The City Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the City. Considering that the recent resignation of the Director of Public Works & Urban Development has left that role vacant and bearing in mind that the recently appointed Director of Administration & Finance and Certified Financial Officer are new in their roles, the City's management team is not yet positioned to run effectively. Furthermore, we have not yet adopted the budget and have relied heavily on the City Administrator's office in moving through this crucial process.
Plainfield needs now, more than ever, consistent and stable management. And we have always deserved the best. Mrs. Taylor has proven to be a true professional, very knowledgeable and thorough. To lose her at all, especially at this time, does not seem to be in the best interest of the City. However, this position is a Mayoral appointment. Understanding that, the Council has invited the Mayor to explain her decision and provide us with a plan of action. We need to understand why this action was taken and how the Mayor plans to meet the needs of residents without Mrs. Taylor as City Administrator. Based on the outcome of that discussion, the Council may consider a resolution disapproving of the Mayor's decision. If that resolution passes with 2/3 majority (5 or 7 Councilors), then Mrs. Taylor will be reinstated as City Administrator.
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10 comments:
Your post would indicate that you are in support of overriding the termination of the City Administrator and understand the need to keep her on-board. The fact that she will be going on maternity leave should not be any part of one's decision.
The Mayor's actions are NOT in the best interest of the City.
Do what is right - re-instate the City Administrator.
Before we jump to conclusions, the mayor could explain the reason for her termination in executive session to the council. There are two sides to every story. Not to mention you still have a Director of Administration & Finance who was just appointed. There is not much of a leap between these two positions. Also, you a very well qualified CFO was just hired. To say the City can not function without her is pre-mature.
First of all Council President thank you for once again for taking the lead and speaking out on this very crucial matter. The fact that the Mayor chose this critical time to fire Bibi Taylor is nonsensical. Your colleagues should be as forthright and forward leaning as you are in regards to the matter. Please do what you can to prevent this Annie. Thank you.
Anon @ 3:23 has now posted to multiple blogs with the same comment. It's obviously the mayor or her appointee.
Annie - I only hope you and your colleagues ask the tough questions and reinstate the qualified Taylor.
To an anonymous commenter from yesterday. I heard your point about speaking with all Councilors on this issue. I would post your comment, but I think it would be offensive to some. Hope you understand.
There is no reasonable explanation for the mayor's actions and we need to dump this mayor and keep people like Bibi Taylor. She is one of the few capable people this incapable mayor has had in her administration. Please keep Bibi and let the mayor know that she is not queen, but soon to be ex-mayor of Plainfield. Jerry also needs to keep out of our city hall and take care of state business, which he hasn't done very well.
Bibi Taylor is forthright, always prepared, intelligent, energetic, creative, and a pleasure to deal with. I have seen a number of other city administrators during 25 years of living in Plainfield. None has been in her league. What a blow to the City to lose her.
Notes from Underground
Bibi Taylor is the most competent city administrator we have ever had. The council needs to override the mayor's action and reinstate her!
If council members question all of th Mayor personnel decisions then we create another bureacy. The Mayor has the right to hire and fire anyone in her staff. What kind of precedence would council set if it overrode the Mayor personnel decision? It isnt about popularity and I dont think one person is that critical you cant fire them. Considering all the criticism, I have seen on the blog, the City isnt in great shape even with Mrs Taylor on the job.
The city isn't in great shape because of the mayor. If it weren't for some council members and the public the city would be in terrible shape.
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