The Lost Well
More Citizen Input on City Manager
RECEIVED Mon., Nov. 26, 2007
Dear Editor,
It’s horrifying that the general manager for Austin Energy is one being considered for the city manager position. The last thing our city needs is to be run like corrupt Austin Energy. Although in light of recent events, it does seem that city politics share a striking similarity with those of a corporation. Having City Council appoint a new city manager from a mixed group of shady internal candidates and candidates chosen by a “search firm” is senseless. Austin should have more citizen involvement and less big-business influence in city politics. Why are we concerned with the relevance of presidential hopefuls when we cannot demonstrate good leadership in our own hometown? Witnessing Austin morph into a mecca center for the elite (coincidentally right before W’s retirement in nearby Crawford) is painful. Feeling the financial burdens of this transition is criminal. Before expecting big changes in the world, we should first do right by our city.
It’s horrifying that the general manager for Austin Energy is one being considered for the city manager position. The last thing our city needs is to be run like corrupt Austin Energy. Although in light of recent events, it does seem that city politics share a striking similarity with those of a corporation. Having City Council appoint a new city manager from a mixed group of shady internal candidates and candidates chosen by a “search firm” is senseless. Austin should have more citizen involvement and less big-business influence in city politics. Why are we concerned with the relevance of presidential hopefuls when we cannot demonstrate good leadership in our own hometown? Witnessing Austin morph into a mecca center for the elite (coincidentally right before W’s retirement in nearby Crawford) is painful. Feeling the financial burdens of this transition is criminal. Before expecting big changes in the world, we should first do right by our city.
Colette Michalec
