More Government by Ambush?

Readers have come to depend on New London Patch for much of their local news. Of particular interest to me was an article dated June 6, 2013 with the headline “City of New London Hires Public Relations Firm”

 What is it about this article that I found so attention-grabbing? At first glance it’s nothing more than a standard press release BUT…citizens concerned with the direction our city has taken since November of 2011 should consider this.

 After announcing the hiring of Quinn & Hary Marketing, Tammy Daugherty, recently appointed, by Mayor Finizio, to the position of Director of Office of Development and Planning for the City of New London was quoted as follows “After an extensive RFP process, we’re pleased to be able to bring Quinn & Hary’s expertise to work for the City…”

 Now that’s all well and good except for the fact that Ms. Daugherty missed a very important step in the process of hiring a marketing firm and it is this – she lacked the authority to do it.

 Minutes from the City Council meeting of March 4, 2013, supported “…the Administration issuing proposed RFP for marketing professional to market the City in 2013.” But, since Daugherty never went back with the results of the RFP, the council never voted on either the chosen firm or the necessary appropriation as is required by the New London City Charter. (Article VIII)

Could this SNAFU mean yet another lawsuit against the city? I’m guessing not but there’s another issue at play here.

 If you remember back a few months ago, Mayor Finizio, ignored every other possible candidate and trampled all over New London’s Personnel Policies and Charter in order to give Daugherty, who had only a high school education and some real estate experience, a position where the minimum requirements were a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Economics and the like accompanied by at least six years of experience in a similar field.

 Is it any wonder she made this blunder? How many others has Daugherty made already and how many more will she make?

 A hallmark of this administration has been, as Council President Passero once said “Government by ambush.” – Some unintentional and others, quite obviously, intentional. It’s been a very tiring year but, if we hope to survive the next three, everyone has to be held answerable for their actions, uphold our charter and be responsible to the residents of this city; and it is up to the council to demand it.