Living in the Land of the Looney

“Dig up "Night of Camp David" if you can. It's the fun-filled story of a first-term U.S. senator who is suddenly called upon to be the running mate of an incumbent president seeking a new term. As the story unfolds, the prospective running mate gradually comes to realize that the president of the United States has gone stark, raving mad. Bonkers.

It's a lot of laughs.”

So says Gary Burns, book reviewer for Buffalo’s Business Journal of Fletcher Kneble’s Night of Camp David.

Now I’m not suggesting that Mayor Finizio is insane but something has to explain his most recent action of appointing Tammy Daugherty, currently his office administrator earning $52K annually, to the position of Director of the Office of Development and Planning which carries a hefty $20K raise plus benefits and rationalizing Daugherty’s lack of qualifications with statements in the media such as "In discussions with developers and Council members preceding this decision, broad support was expressed for Ms. Daugherty filling this position at a time when so many development projects are in the works in the city,"

While I’m pretty sure that most people have heard the expression “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” that assumes a bit more than knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time; and while the mayor and his diehard supporters may think differently, New London’s City Charter is fairly explicit on the issue of employment advances and opportunities.

Section 40 of New London’s City Charter reads, in part, “Said appointments and promotions in the administrative service of the city shall be made in accordance with procedures prescribed by the city's personnel board, established by ordinance, on the basis of merit and shall include, but not be limited by, considerations of education, training, competitive examination, experience and the recommendation of the immediate supervisor, and shall give some weight to seniority or tenure with the city…” while Section 44 of the charter reads, also in part “…All other directors and heads of administrative departments and offices shall be appointed by the mayor on the basis of executive and administrative ability and of training and experience in the work which they are to administer. All such officers shall be responsible to the mayor.”

With little more in the way of credentials than being a graduate of Concord High School in Concord, New Hampshire, listing herself as being “In progress, Business Administration and Management, General” at Mitchell College, having the good fortune to have supported the mayor during his mayoral campaign and knowing the “right people,”  Daugherty has snatched a plum position from under the noses of longtime, dedicated and experienced employees such as Economic Development Coordinator Ned Hammond and City Planner Harry Smith.  

In my mind, in the mind of others with whom I’ve spoken and the many who have posted comments online, there is something dreadfully wrong with that.

As one poster on The Day pointed out “…Over a ½ dozen ODP employees have a MASTERS Degree. All whose collective city time and experience probably is close to 100 years… The other long term city ODP employees have Bachelor’s degrees, Associates or have been State certified in their related fields. It is a slap in the face to these long term employees who have spent some of their own money to better themselves in hope of promotion; to than have a secretary promoted at a sign of a pen without ANY consideration for anyone else who is actually qualified.” while another from New London Patch, writing less kindly about Daugherty’s appointment, said "Omg! What about her old job that the mayor said is critical to the city's survival. Who will post on facebook all day and pander to 20 people still supporting the mayor?...Corruption comes in many favors and it seems Daryl has dusted off patronage and will stunt any chance of moving forward. How long before Stillman pulls out of fort Trumball?...”

In Connecticut, entire families are barely able to exist on a minimum wage of $8.25 an hour and “For the second year in a row, increasing the minimum wage [to $9.00 an hour] is back on the legislative agenda in Connecticut.” while Daugherty, thanks to the goodwill of Mayor Finizio, has received a RAISE of $9.62 HOURLY.

In New London and under this administration, it does, indeed, pay, and in cold hard cash, to know the right people.