They Never Learn

So it appears that John Skorobohacz was just being diplomatic when he said he,

"advised council at the time of his hiring that he envisioned a five-year stay. “I believe every CAO has a best-before date ... now is the appropriate time to pass the torch,” he said."

I guess he didn’t want to be the one to let the cat out of the bag about the real reasons he was leaving the top position in the city. In actuality, the former CAO for the city of Windsor was “progressively more disengaged in recent months” which along with “growing disagreements with council, [and] weariness from the heavy-handed control of Mayor Eddie Francis” lead him to leave the corporation.

The Windsor Star reported that, “Councilors said Skorobohacz offered to eliminate his own position during budget deliberations in 2007, 2008 and 2009, making it clear he wanted to leave his job.” And Councilor Dilkens chimes in with, “I was first on alert when the CAO was putting himself forward as a job cut.”

When exactly was that, Drew? When did you first get a clue that the CAO wanted out? In 2007? 2008? Were you on alert enough to ask to see the employment contract in order to determine how the CAO’s imminent departure would affect the city’s coffers? Did you make a cognizant decision to forego your fiscal responsibilities?

Or, Councilor Halberstadt. “I don’t like it, paying that kind of money when a guy wants to leave anyway…My understanding it was in his contract. It’s unfortunate from a taxpayer point of view.” How very unfortunate that those taxpayers have a councilor who has an understanding of a non-existent employment contract. Who told you there was a contract? Why didn’t you ask to see it either? I guess you were just playing to the cameras when you said, “This is no way to run a city — I’m tired of this crap,”

And Councilor Lewenza. Just what is he doing when he’s not challenging other councilors to debates or trying to preserve his tarnished “pro-labour” mantel? “No, I’m not happy with what he is walking away with… But at the end of the day, council signed a contract.”

Again. What contract? The city’s legal department released the CAO’s offer of employment to Chris Schnurr but they made it very clear that no official employment contract existed. After five and a half years employment the mayor failed to protect the city’s interests. Disgraceful: especially after the similar episode with former mayor Mike Hurst.

Where do the other councilors stand on this? Not a word out of Ms Gignac. But that’s no surprise. She’s not got much to say about anything. Likewise for Councilors Valentinis, Jones, and Postma. How about Councilor Brister? Usually his head is buried in the budget. First out of the gate to ask questions, regarding contracting out garbage pick up, after the strike was over, but he’s missing in action this time.

OK. So the councilors must have learned from their mistake with Skorobohacz, right? I mean, these people are entrusted with the fiscal well being and operational effectiveness of a city of 200,000 residents. Mistakes will be made but surely the councilors have the smarts to realize their oversight and to protect against it happening again.

In a word: NO.

Almost in the same breath as their feigned outrage about the former CAO’s resignation payout what does council turn around and do? Behind closed doors they vote to promote Helga Reidel to take over the CAO’s chair. But let’s give Councilor Marra the benefit of the doubt. Let’s believe him when he says “he voted yes to bring this forward." I think the other councilors would do well to hang their hats on that statement instead of questioning Marra’s understanding of events.

Then at Monday’s council meeting, except for a minority of councilors lead by Bill Marra, they passed a bylaw to appoint Reidel as the new CAO for Windsor for the next six years. Um, excuse me? What should you have learned from the Skorobohacz Saga?

They did it again! They approve the appointment of Reidel without knowing about any other candidates, without insisting on an outside search, and without seeing what her employment contract is. What's she being paid? What are her benefits? What options of renewal are there for either side? What about termination? Severance? Council knows none of this but confirms her nomination because they are told to.

Council is still about two weeks away from receiving the contract for the new CAO. What has been negotiated between Reidel and the mayor? Those details are important especially when not entertaining other candidates for the position. It’s important to the residents of Windsor and it’s important to councilors. It’s called due diligence. Is Reidel holding the city over the proverbial barrel since she was obviously aware that her mentor was making a run for the border? Or is the city getting the lowest bidder? That’s the problem with there being only one nominee.

I’m with you Councilor Halberstadt. I’m tired of this crap.