City Commissioner–Where’s the Community Participation

The city manager worked on his NRP for one year before he presented it to the City Commission. During that year he chose not to tell city staff, the City Commission, city boards and committees, or anyone else about his “vision” for the city. By working in complete secrecy, he broke an important, longstanding Coral Gables tradition of seeking and embracing input from residents in the formulation of major projects that have citywide implications. Then, in the NRP proposal, he launched a pre-emptive, personal attack on anyone who might dare to criticize or oppose his NRP by characterizing them as “naysayers,” “short-term thinkers,” and “vision killers.” His message was clear: Do not get in my way! The use of such tactics was inappropriate, alienating, and offensive.

via Letter: Gables spending plan bloated with needless projects – Coral Gables – MiamiHerald.com.