In today’s Albany Herald, City Manager Al Lott says in regard to the reinstatement of former Assistant Fire Chief Jolivette “I will say, though, that the reality is I’m privvy to facts everyone doesn’t know. That’s the foundation of city policy. As it was, I was put in a tough spot – between a rock and a hard place – and I had to make the tough decision. I made it; that’s what I do. And I can take any heat that comes with the decision.” (Emphasis mine) Well Mr. Lott, why don’t you enlighten us, because right now it seems pretty cut and dry.
Of course, often times the argument of “I know stuff you don’t” is used to justify unpopular positions, and frankly that’s what it looks like here. The facts look pretty cut and dry, and what has been leveled has been very cut and dry by both sides. Just what classified information can the city manager have that we, the citizens of Albany, not be entitled to know? After all, even with the accusations against the fire department as a whole and Chief Carswell personally, there was nothing that the citizens of Albany shouldn’t be aware of.
What it looks like to me is that Lott made a decision and now he’s trying to justify it. The problem is, now any trust that Lott had with many in this city has been destroyed by that simple statement. After all, this is the same city manager who kept a report secret until he had negotiated a new contract, a report that showed just how unsatisfied this town was with him. Now, he’s playing the “secret” card again in a different way.
Mr. Lott? Do everyone a favor and come clean. If you wanted to protect the city from a lawsuit, then say so. Taxpayers may actually appreciate that. If you know that there’s more to the story than what’s been released to the media, then tell us. The citizens have a right to know that too. But hiding behind secrecy isn’t the policy you should pursue.
Executive privledge doesn’t work at the City Manager level.
Thankyou, thank you, thank you. Honesty is all we have asked for. When you are honest people can understand. They might not agree with your decision but they will respect it.
Of course, is this any different than the ADICA foolishness?
Reading back over some of Bob Langstaff’s comments, I am reminded of a fraudulent prospectus issued in Britain during the South Sea Bubble wherein investors were asked to subscribe monies to “A Company for carrying on an undertaking of great advantage, but nobody to know what it is.”
I have long admired Mr Lott as one who will indeed make the tough calls. Whether it’s firing civic center management, or demanding accountabilty from other city departments, Mr Lott has always stood away from the “good-ole-boy” network. Further, I do indeed believe that there are privileges associated with his office.
That said: This situation merits nothing less than transparency. Yes, Mr Lott no doubt can “take the heat.” But having a strong backbone does not excuse the appearance of evil
http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10582486
Everyone should please read the last line of this article and ask themselves the question “compete with who?”.
I don’t see a long line of investors rushing to get into downtown Albany.