Does Brentwood need a Borough Manager NOW?
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Brentwood Borough Council has finally decided to hire a Borough Manager. It has taken two years, why the rush now? The fact is that three of those making the choice on the hiring are “lame ducks”. So it will mean that the new majority of Council will be encumbered with a new Manager that was not of their choosing. Again, why all of a sudden is this Council hell-bent on hiring a manager?
The appropriate thing to do would be to wait until January when the new “elected” members are sworn in and could work with those members remaining in office in the hiring. This would mean that Brentwood Borough would have a fully elected Council for the first time in two years. How novel is that?
Two of the three “appointed” members of council lost in the primary and one decided not to run, they should do the right thing and quietly serve out their appointed terms and not subject Brentwood to another possible controversy.
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The only thing that seems to be lame is that council was ridiculous enough to put Janice ( shakey ) Boyko into a council seat now. What really will be lame is when this new crew of village idiots comes into office January 1. What was really lame is when Ann Scott was made Borough Manager, maybe they can bring her back. What is lame is that people like yourself have made statements that we need a Borough Manager, now that they are giving you one lets complain about it. Observer, what truly is lame is your blog.
When did I say that the borough needs a manager? NEVER! You should get your facts straight before you write a blog. It does make you sound “ridiculous enough” to us bloggers.
On another subject, what do have you to offer to Brentwood Borough? You do nothing but gripe about other bloggers, then make childish attempts to insult those of us that have an opinion.
The only thing that is “lame” is your response with no opinion on how to get things done.
Don’t even tell me you regularly attend borough council meetings, otherwise you would know that this present council has become a rudderless ship and that’s the reason for the Borough Manager.
Brentwood Borough is in desperate need of a borough manager. Almost every Allegheny County Borough has an active manager in place. Several years ago Brentwood Borough had an employee (Venie) who performed a large portion of these tasks, more recently we had (Ann) who spent the majority of her days at Sams Club (yes Sams Club), Kennywood and other non-work locations. It is now time to hire a professional manager, one who has no connections to Brentwood or the figure heads within. One who will monitor employee abuse of privileges as a result of no-one watching the hen house but the fox. Example: how about paying an employee $70,000+ and allow him to be excused from work to attend funeral services for the entire day, golf once a week and utilize borough cars and as to work outside jobs and a Mayor who allows it? Come on Watcher.... you wont be any better that you have been in the past, turn a blind eye, worked in the past and will be status quo in the future. Oh yeah, dont criticize (Janice) until she proves her incompetence herself, the wait wont be long.
Whatever you are talking about. I havnt been on here for awhile, never commented on A boro manager. I really dont care anymore.
Dear Victory,
Please allow me to introduce myself...my name is Ann Scott. Let me set the FACTS straight. I am not quite sure where you get your information from...but it is Far from truth. Council, the Mayor, Police Chief and the employees realize the work I completed, I really don't NEED to defend myself...but wanted to let others be aware of the information.
I brought over 18 years of Municipal Government experience to Brentwood. I brought nearly $1,000,000 in Grant monies to the previous Community I worked for working with State Legislators for and over $600,000 to Brentwood in just 8 months. The Borough Manager MUST work with Council and the employees to accomplish the goals of the Community.
The first SMALL Step I made, I opened a Sam's card to save nearly 50% of the cost on much needed office supplies. Day to Day operations require certain supplies to complete, I did this shopping myself PRIOR to coming to work and to maintain the security of the Charge. I won't say anymore on that.
On the other matter, my personal time and where I spend it...is just that, my personall time. Every employee has personal & vacation time.
In the 8 months I was the Manager, some of the tasked completed are as follows: Able to negotiate a Public Works Contract between the Borough and the union (able to avoid potentiial PW strike), prepared and adopted a budget, worked with the BBOA on economic development, brought in nearly $60,000 in grant monies from State Legislators and $600,000 for a "Safe Routes to School" to improve the sidewalks and steps; and worked with the Engineer to establish the goals and needs of the Community to update the Borough infrastructure in accordance with the Consent Order signed in 2004, thus the PENNVEST Loan approved in 2006.
These are just a few of the items I completed in just 8 months, I could go on, but I won't. I brought to the Community, Council and the Borough Employees knowledge and experience, I worked WITH them.
When I decided to leave Brentwood, it was a very difficult decision, I was committed to working FOR the Community. Did you know, Council and most of the Employees had requested that I reconsider and STAY at Bretnwood? Do you realize that I still work for the betterment of the Community, working with BBOA and grant funding... AT NO COST!!! However, for me and my family, taking a position in the private sector, was the best decision that met our needs.
I have not intention of going back and forth with Victory, I realize that Blogs are intended to give everyone a voice. Keep in mind the old saying... THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK...before that PLEASE get your facts correct!!
MY OPINION as the intention of a blog...Brentwood, and every Community, needs a Manager, who will work with Members of Council, the employees, the residents and State and Federal Officials acting as a liaison for the betterment of the Community.
If Brentwood finds someone who has the knowledge and experience to meet the needs of the Community, I wish them the Very Best, and offer any support or assistance that I may be able to offer.
And Victory, Brentwood is a lovely Community and I offer you my opinion, take it or leave it...you may not agree with Borough Officials all the time and that is certianly OK...but if you work WITH them.. it will have a greater more positive impact on the Community.
Thank You
That line of propaganda may work with the majority of these readers, however not with any person(s) who has worked in Brentwood or Baldwin. You have created havoc in both places and shame on you for attempting credit in either place. You left Baldwin in a state of turmoil with your failure or neglect to pay bills and caused financial stress on the taxpayers. You caused Brentwood to be without liability insurance for more than a year, and you were the interference not the liason between the unions and management. The private sector you speak of was first not by choice but out of despair as you were run out of both municipal jobs that you held. Your connection with your private sector choice was near criminal and should be investigated from your position with your municipal ties. Please, dont create anymore "help".
Jethro
Jethro
I really don't know WHERE you get your information, ESPECIALLY about Baldwin. I NEVER left bills unpaid, that was a line of @"#*. Baldwin is in turmoil NOW because of 2 members of Council, who do NOTHING to move ahead...just hold everyone behind. The turmoil was that I left...and sorry to say Jethro, was familiar with the running of the Borough.
Like I said, GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT! I worked there for 8 months, how could I have left them without insurnance for a year??? AND, please get your facts staright, Brentwood NEVER went without Liability Insurance. When I arrived, the Police Professional expired, we received a quote for nearly $70,000 from the current carrier. For the size of Brentwood, the average annual premium should have been around $20,000. AND there were numerous aspects of that would not have been covered. SOOOO, instead of placing the coverage, I shopped around, yes it took approximately a month...BUT I was able to place the coverage that best fit the Community.
And Jethro, if that's your real name, I have a feeling I know who you are, I KNOW your connections to Baldwin and Brentwood. You and I will never see eye to eye, and honestly I have no problem with that, because you and your friends do not work for the good of ANY COmmunity, just yourselfs.
Again, you are entitled to your opinion.. I have NO idea what you are talking about that I ran out of Municipal positions so that's why I went to the private sector. I never even LOOKED at any other Municipal Positions...so what are you talking about...DO YOU EVEN KNOW!!!
I have more important things to do than argue with someone who doesn't know what they are talking about...gotta go, I have to go to Kennywood!!!
Observer,hit a sore spot did we ? Seems we protest to much.
Maybe you should hold out and put your girl Dawn Lane in and she could take Ann Scotts place because she has perfected her bull to match the rest of you. Face it you are clueless in Brentwood. People who only run for office for their own personal agenda that does not meet any needs of the Borough makes you a fraud. I see a huge disaster coming January 3, but as the old saying goes what goes around comes around.
YES WE DO!!!!
Excuse me, but their are other taxpayers in the borough who have different opinions than yourself. I have talked to ALOT of people. Most of them are all for the borough manager idea. Don't you people understand that most of these council members (current and soon to be in office) have full time careers and jobs. They cannot be in the borough building during the day. It would be wonderful for someone to keep an eye on what is supposed to be done during the day to make things more efficient. This is going to be a great asset to our borough. Our current council are the ones calling the shots. In January the new council can call the shots, but as for now, they make the decisions. Get over it.
As far as council being a rudderless ship, OPEN YOUR EYES AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND YOU. There are so many improvements in this borough right now. Look at the library, look at the roads, look at the borough building, the practice field in the park, my gosh some of you people are just pathetic. Pretty sad that all you can do is complain and cry about everything.
As far as Boyko being appointed get over it.
I agree Wiz; it is time to move on. This is a pathetic situation in this borough. All this crying and complaining with no solutions to the problems if these people put as much effort into helping out as they do crying, we might be a borough to compete with.
We need to rid the borough of negativity and concentrate on getting things done.
Here is what we don’t need:
We don’t need negative people bringing us down , We need to get along!
We don’t dissention, we need solutions!
How about some fresh ideas, thinking out side the box, and people who live in the community willing to put up a fight for what we need.
LIFE ISN’T THAT BAD, LET’S GET R DONE
A Borough Manager would be a good thing, at least in terms of someone who will take responsibility and lead.
We need to focus on many things, like:
--bringing new businesses and people into the borough.
--rebuilding infrastructure
--focussing on decay in the northern section of the borough.
--aggressively combatting drug dealers and prostitutes that are migrating from right across the border in the city.
--effectively & fairly managing the staff
--bringing in state and federal funds and philanthropic grant funding for fire, police, recreation, infrastructure improvements.
--finding ways of reducing property taxes, and other fees that are assessed to our residents.
--lobby County, State and Federal representatives on legislation relative to the Borough and it's Citizens.
And of course, we need someone who is strong enough, smart enough, and willing enough to understand and deal with all the mercurial personalities in the borough.
Today we have no chance of getting the above accomplished.....no centralized leadership. Obviously, the mayor is useful with the police, fire, and ems, but he has a "day job" as well.
Who is going to spend the countless hours preparing grant proposals?
Who is going to take the lead in setting our priorities?
Who is going to ride around with the staff and get a "hands-on" feel of the borough?
Who is going to lead without prejudice?
Brentwood sits precariously on the razors edge. With very little we could tip toward the status quo of Carrick, or even Wilkinsburg. Or we can save ourselves. It's really in our hands.
It is in our hands. Vote for Bender on election day. I know him and he really cares about the condition of this borough. He has a great stake in this community with two grandchildren growing up here. He loves Brentwood and all that it stands for. Help him help you.
I agree with having a borough manager, particularly one that is qualified competent and has a strong back background with excellent credentials (not just because he is a friend of a friend).. preferably someone who is not afraid to take charge... I agree with what ronjamin stated, people forget we are a stones throw away from the city... there is so much dissention in the community it is sad... for such a small place to have so much anamosity toward one another...the council is sueing the police, the mayor sueing the council, this one is sueing that one... how is anything going to get done. Yes, roads are being paved,and yes, there have been some improvements but there is alot more that needs to be addressed and taken care of... taxes are a concern, the number of people who have placed their homes up for sale is a concern; people not moving into the community is a concern; and all I seem to hear is this person dont like that one, this one said that, this one is sueing that one... Not everyone is going to agree, but I would think that for the most part, people do not want this borough to become like Wilkinsburg and it was at one time a very nice borough with very classy shops.
People have alot of good ideas and if personal agendas can be put aside and these ideas be brainstormed together there would be a solution to these problems. But, as long as everyone continues to put all their energy into personal vendettas, this borough will go nowhere and will spiral downward....
Sandi,
Well said for the most part. The attitudes of individuals involved within the government will not change. Personal vendettas will not go away. I believe that some of our elected officials are only involved for Ego purposes. This however is our fault as voters. We have elected everyone who holds an office spot within our government. Many people within our community only know how to vote for their friends and neighbors without ever looking into their platforms. There are several current elected officials who I have voted for, and several I have not voted for. You will not see an end to the, I am going to sue you era until we as voters eliminate these attitudes from the borough. A borough Manager would be a good thing for the borough. However, if it is not a friend or relative hired it is just another person to be sued.
There is a lot of disagreement on this site, but that is a good thing. This tells me that there are a lot of very concerned citizens of the community. We may not agree with each other but we all care. This is something that you do not see in other communities. It is only a blog site, but opinions are being voiced. I know for a fact that most of our elected officials frequent this site (some even have screen names). They may pretend that they know nothing of this site, but we all know who reads the blogs. They are seeing what the concerned citizens are asking for. The big question is, will they listen to the people they represent? Or will it just be what is best for them. As long as we keep the pressure on the elected ones, we will not become Wilkinsburg or Mount Oliver.
We have elected new people within the borough last night. Now it is time for them to prove they can do the job. I hope that the new ones who have used negative campaigning, can change there ways and work with all of the other council members. We the people of Brentwood will be watching the borough government very closely. So to all the elected officials, Do the job that you were elected to do. Do whats right for the borough.