Who Will Be Worcester’s Next City Manager?

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor

Ed Augustus has said he is officially out of contention for the City Manager position once his contract is up.

Who will be Worcester's next City Manager?

WIth Ed Augustus indicating this week that he fully intends to return to Holy Cross in the fall -- and not seek to hold the City Manager position any longer than his nine month contract -- GoLocal talked with political leaders and experts for their predictions.

See Augustus' Statement BELOW

City Councilor Gary Rosen said he hoped that Augustus would still be in that mix. "The present City Manager, Ed Augustus, would be ideal as the "next" City Manager," said Rosen. "He has the qualities the city needs in a City Manager: intellect, character, integrity, leadership skills and a vision for our city. He knows Worcester, it's people, neighborhoods and schools, among others."

Rosen continued, "But Ed has stated that, even though he likes and wants the job, his character and integrity won't let him keep the job beyond the nine months that he agreed to in his contract with the City of Worcester. First of all, Mr. Augustus need not apologize to the public (the large majority of whom support him) for liking and wanting the job. Secondly, I don't see this as an issue of character and integrity. It simply is an issue of renegotiating a contract. Both parties simply agree to reopen the contract - that is done many times on a daily basis, in all arenas, across this country. People should and do change their minds. To say that the character and integrity of either party have been compromised for doing so is silly."

Amanda Riik in the City Manager's office said Friday, "The City Manager submitted his letter. I believe his word is his final word."

Qualities Needed for Worcester?

Worcester City Councilor Kate Toomey

City Council Kate Toomey expressed her support for Augustus -- as well as what she thought the city needed in its next manager.

"I'm disappointed Ed's not moving forward, it is what it is," said Toomey. "I think he'll do a great job for Holy Cross. Moving on, there are a lot qualities that Ed had that we need to have the next manager."

"I'm looking at the type of person has been successful, CEOs that have done a great job," said Toomey. "President Johnson from Becker College is an example of a great hire. I was on a vetting committee, and when I met him, and listened to him talk he had so much to offer, there was a great deal of enthusiasm, energy, experience -- and and understanding of where the college needed to be."

Toomey added, "We need someone who has a vision -- not what's happening today, but so we can be in a certain place tomorrow. I'm not looking for a politician -- we've got a different form of government. I want someone who inspires confidence in department heads, and employees who doing the jobs of one-and-a-half to two people."

Brad Wyatt, Republican activist and 12th Worcester District candidate told GoLocal, "I haven't heard any specific names for City Manager, I'd like to see someone with real business experience as well as knowledge of municipal budgets that will focuses on growing the pie by attracting capital and improving the Worcester economy, instead of simply dividing the pie between opposing groups such as residential and commercial property owners, individual tax payers and special interest lobbyist organizations, non-profits and for profits, etc."

Wyatt added, "A solid leader needs to listen first to all the opinions, and be willing to make a difficult decision that sometimes is not popular or politically expedient."

Thinking Inside, Outside the Box

Tim McGourthy, the Worcester Regional Research Bureau's new Executive Director -- and former Chief Development Officer for the City of Worcester -- pointed to a reference tool the organization devised ten years ago. "If you look at our website, we have a report “O Manager, Where Art Thou?” from 2004 that might prove helpful," said McGourthy.

Read the Report Here

Longtime Democratic activist Paul Giorgio offered his thoughts on the next city manager - and the structure of Worcester government as a whole.

"Instead of going through with the process of hiring a City Manager, maybe we should look to a strong elected mayor form of government. We need someone who is responsible to the voters and not to the council," said Giorgio. "It is easier to keep 11 people happy, it is more difficult to keep 190,000 happy. An elected mayor would be responsible to the people."

Augustus Statement

Augustus provided the following statement this week to Mayor Petty and the City Council.

Mayor Petty and Council Members,

I’m very appreciative of the expressions of support I’ve received from many in the community since I was first asked by the Mayor and City Council to serve as City Manager. When I was asked by the Mayor to take on this role to serve the city that I love, while a great honor it was also an opportunity that brought with it many implications personally, professionally, and practically for me to weigh and consider in a very short period of time. The decision I made was one that I thought allowed me to do two things at once, first to step up and serve and second to come back to a job at the College of the Holy Cross and life that I enjoy.

I didn’t fully appreciate at the time both the outpouring of support and encouragement for me to reconsider my 9 month commitment as well as how much I would enjoy the position and all I can do to improve the lives of the people of Worcester. However, more important than either of those is the integrity of government and the people who serve in it, and while I might not make the same decision today to not take a long term appointment, that is the decision I made. In the interest of a fair and open process, I will not be a candidate for a long term appointment as Worcester City Manager. While I regret not being able to continue in this role after the 9 month term, I’m doing so in what I believe to be in the best interests of our city.

Finally, I would personally like to thank Mayor Petty and the City Council for giving me this unique opportunity to serve our city. I urge all the people of Worcester to join with me in supporting the City Council with their efforts to find the best possible person to lead Worcester.

Sincerely,

Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

Related Slideshow: 9 Challenges Facing Worcester’s New City Manager

Now the Edward Augustus is serving as City Manager for Worcester, GoLocal reached out to the city's leaders to find out what they believe are the biggest challenges Augustus will face in his new role.

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Keep Forward Momentum

Paul Giorgio, publisher of Pagio, Inc. and a GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™:

“Priority One: Keep up the momentum.

Two: Work with the mayor on creating a task force for the north end of Main Street.

Three: Insure that we keep our school renovation plan on track.”

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Economic Development

Councilor Anthony Economou:

“Economic development is huge. We have a lot going on, and we have to keep the momentum up,” Economou said. “Make sure we don't miss a beat. You don't want to lose a period of nine months and not have forward progress.”

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Financial Management

Roberta Schaefer, former president of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau:

Schaefer said continuing the sound financial management of former City Manager Michael O'Brien was the greatest task for Augustus. But in addition to financial questions, she called for Augustus to “follow the lead of Michael O'Brien, to make sure he represents all the interests of the city, as the CEO of the city.

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Business Climate

Tim Murray, president and chief executive officer of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce:

In addition to budgeting and economic development, Murray pointed to fostering the business climate in the city. “Try to make Worcester as business-friendly a place as possible,” he said. Whether through permitting, customer service, or other incentive, “whatever we can do to make the city a supportive (place for business).”

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Budget Concerns

Christopher Pinto, member of the Worcester Republican City Committee:

“Can he really do pension reform? Can he spare the taxpayers from more abusive taxes?” asked Pinto, who wonders what Augustus will do about the Responsible Employer Ordinance and how the new city manager will make appointments to boards and commissions.

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Capital Improvements

Councilor Frederick Rushton:

Rushton said the number one challenge Augustus will face is following through toward new buildings and/or renovations to area high schools in need of capital improvements.

"Second," he said, “is completing CitySquare.”

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Public Safety

Councilor Sarai Rivera:

Rivera points to economic development, neighborhood development, and continuing to support public safety and public service, as well as “working with private and labor to support the (Responsible Employer Ordinance) and look into an apprentice program.”

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Neighborhood Development

Councilor George Russell:

“It's not necessarily 'A, B, and C,' it's more what you want to see overall,” Russell said. “For me, it's more neighborhood orientation.”

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Collective Bargaining

Councilor Anthony Economou:

Economou also cited the upcoming task of collective bargaining with union city workers. “One of the challenges will be the contracts,” Economou said. “I imagine it's on his radar, to get those discussions going.”