The First 100 Days?

It's time to talk about "ID #3959 Water Reclamation Project - Change Order No. 4," I've thought about it long enough. This involves a contract that was completed under budget by $71,000 and the vendor subsequently put in a change order for an additional $61,000. Perhaps this all sounds routine and maybe even boring but what happened at last Wednesday's meeting was quite interesting and anything but boring. I will not lay blame on any of the City staff for what happened as it falls squarely on the shoulders of our Mayor, Guccione.

The change order came before the Board of Aldermen for approval because any expenditure of over $25,000 needs Board approval. The problem arose when the presenter, Mr. Jerry Hillin, Purchasing/IT Director, stated that the change order had been signed and the check already sent to the vendor. In other words (in the words of the Aldermen), "the ship had sailed," the Aldermen had to approve the expenditure.

Perhaps your asking how this could happen as it smacks the purchasing policy right across the lips? The Aldermen weren't happy about this akward turn of events and asked exactly that same question. The answer given by Public Works Director, Scott Smith was; that the purchasing policy is not clear on the 25 large rule in this instance. "There are two trains of thought: Since the original contract was approved by the Board of Aldermen and it came in under budget by more than the amount of the the change order, it was interpreted that no approval was necessary The other would be that any expenditure over $25,000 must be approved," unfortunately none of the Aldermen agreed with staff's rationale.

My question is this: If there was a question of policy, why wasn't that question brought up the chain of command before the check was signed? It appears that Mayor Guccione was either uninformed, or just didn't care and made an executive decision based on apathy, in either case, the buck stops with the Mayor. I've heard Gooch constantly tell the Aldermen "they need to trust the staff," well in this instance it bit him and the City square on the ass for 61 large, and he is responsible. It is the Mayor's job to see that policy is followed, he's been heard saying: "I don't make policy, I enforce it." Well Mr. Mayor, you really goosed the moose this time din'cha? It wasn't the first and by no means be the last.

Ward 2 Alderman Sonya Shyrock asked; Why is this on the agenda if I cannot vote 'no' on it? City Attorney Paul Rost responded: "You can vote 'nay' but the fact is that the money is spent.  If you like, the City could start proceedings to get the money back from the vendor but that is a discussion for another time. The money is spent and you simply need to vote on it." During this following discussion by the whole of the Board, Guccione looked like a deer in the headlights. All of the Aldermen were unhappy about the situation and made it clear that it must not happen again.

I'm sitting here thinking; the Aldermen were told there was a savings of $71,000 on this contract and were probably thinking that the vendor and staff did a great job and then this happens. I'm glad I'm not on the Board, the Mayor would have caught holy hell for not doing his job and costing the City the embarrassment of springing this crap on the Board. This kind of shit is typical of him, it happened frequently when he was an Alderman and even more frequently during his unethical campaign for Mayor. The best thing he could do for the City is resign, it's not going to get any better, I'm thinking his lack of leadership qualities will eventually cost people their jobs and the City a fortune. Mark my words, rather than taking responsibility for this, he will blame it on someone else—another of his unsavory habits. Look out!

This coming Thursday, Guccione will reach the 100-day mark of his office, I can't wait to hear his speech regarding all he's accomplished. That will be the shortest speech he'll ever make and given his speaking skills, it's probably a good thing. Jeeez, what a mistake this city made electing him to any office of responsibility.