Go Wayne Cauthen!

QueSi2Opie · Post by **QueSi2Opie** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:08 pm

I applaud Cauthen's decision! Something needed to be shaken up at City Hall. Here's the article from the KC Star...

Four KC department heads let go
By LYNN HORSLEY and MIKE MANSUR
The Kansas City Star

In a major shakeup at City Hall, City Manager Wayne Cauthen has removed four department directors and will launch national searches for their replacements.

Cauthen outlined his personnel changes Wednesday to the editorial board of The Kansas City Star, saying he is excited about Kansas City's future, and, "I want to hire people who have the same enthusiasm I have."

Aviation Director Russ Widmar, Public Works Director Larry Frevert, Housing Director Stan Barrett and Human Resources John Thigpen were informed of Cauthen's decision Wednesday afternoon, and it was effective immediately.

All but Widmar have the option of asking to be reassigned to another position. Acting directors are being named for those departments while Cauthen searches for permanent replacements. City attorneys will determine any severance packages.

Reached at home Wednesday night, Frevert said he had just learned of the decision and had made no decisions about his future with the city. The others could not be reached for comment.

The removal of four high-ranking officials is Cauthen's most dramatic action since he was hired seven months ago. He acknowledged his frustration with an atmosphere of lackluster, decentralized leadership, in which department heads sometimes don't deal creatively or proactively with problems or keep him well informed.

"People were doing things in a way that was somewhat haphazard," he said. "I do need to shake it up a little bit."

The City Council hired him to take control and change the energy level of city government, Cauthen said. Removing four directors at once -- about one-fifth of the directors -- would indicate to everyone that it's a new day at City Hall.

"There are workers under the levels we're talking about that are probably looking forward to this," Cauthen said. "I want to bring in people who want to make Kansas City a better city."

But the shakeup could be a risky first test of Cauthen's authority and control over an entrenched city bureaucracy. It also will test his relationship with the City Council and with community leaders.

At least six of the 13 council members, including Mayor Kay Barnes, said Cauthen deserves a chance to put his own imprint on the organization.

"The City Council hires the city manager, and we hold him to high expectations," Councilwoman Becky Nace said. "I don't necessarily agree with all of it, but I want to support him, and he is going to take responsibility for his decisions. He needs the team he feels comfortable with."

But others said they were concerned about the personnel changes, and they would hold Cauthen accountable if they don't work.

"The manager needs to communicate effectively, not just the actions he's taking, but the reasons for them," said Councilman Jim Rowland. Rowland added that Cauthen should explain to the council how these moves will help implement the council's policies.

Councilman Bill Skaggs, chairman of the Aviation Committee, said he was particularly concerned about Widmar's removal, just as Kansas City International Airport is in the midst of a huge terminal renovation project, and is negotiating to keep the American Airlines overhaul base.

Skaggs credited Widmar with keeping the terminal renovation project on time and on budget, and with helping in the American Airlines negotiations. "This is a fine way to say thanks to a guy who's helped us save 1,500 jobs in this city," Skaggs said. "Let's get the American deal settled, get the terminal renovation done, and then make some changes."

Widmar was not offered the chance to be reassigned because unlike the other three who rose through the classified employee ranks, he came in as a department director.

Councilwoman Deb Herman said she would feel more comfortable with a reorganization plan, and then fitting people into that plan.

Cauthen's take-charge approach marked a significant departure from the laid-back management style of Cauthen's predecessor, Bob Collins. Collins spent more than 23 years at City Hall and had many friends among the city staff, whom he elevated while he was city manager for five years.

Cauthen outlined his expectations for change:

â€¢ Aviation: Cauthen said he wants an aviation director with a more entrepreneurial bent than Widmar, who is a traditional airport manager. He said he felt the land around KCI had not been developed to its full potential. "I want the airport to take on more of an economic development twist."

When Cauthen was chief of staff to Denver's mayor, he was integrally involved in developing Denver International Airport. He said that DIA had been a catalyst for more economic development in seven years than KCI had been in 30 years.

Deputy Aviation Director Phil Brown will serve as acting director.

â€¢ Public Works: Cauthen said Frevert had been a capable acting director since the last permanent director, Ed Wolf, retired earlier this year. But he said he wants someone to take initiative and deal aggressively with the city's crumbling infrastructure situation, particularly downtown.

City Engineer Stan Harris will serve as acting public works director.

â€¢ Housing: Cauthen said the Housing Department has spent a lot of money but does not seem to have built much housing, or to have done much strategic planning. He said the Housing Department has often been at the beck and call of community leaders and non-profit agencies, rather than taking charge and directing policy from City Hall.

"They want to run housing outside of City Hall," Cauthen said. "I want to grow confidence that we control housing at City Hall."

Cauthen named lending program manager DeBorah (folo)Williams as acting director.

â€¢ Human Resources: Cauthen said Thigpen's background was really in purchasing, and he needed a human resources professional leading the department. Cauthen said all his dealings in Human Resources had been with the deputy director, Gary O'Bannon, who will now be the acting director.

Cauthen also is trying to hire a new director for the Convention and Entertainment Department, which oversees Bartle Hall. The previous director retired, and that position is currently held by an acting director.

Cauthen said even more changes may be in store in the city manager's office and in other departments, although he wasn't ready to announce them yet.

The manager described the current city bureaucracy as "stagnant." He acknowledged there had been some grumbling among veteran city employees about his communications with them. But he said employees can find him in his office until 7 p.m. most days, whereas they're used to leaving work promptly at 5 p.m.

He said he also believes part of the communication problem is that he is more direct than they've been used to in the past.

carfreekc · Post by **carfreekc** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:29 pm

Wow! This'll be interesting...

GRID · Post by **GRID** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:49 pm

Yea, I really like this guy. There are plenty of others that should be the same boat, but I won't mention them here.

But Cauthen needs to follow through with his ideas.

Post by **mean** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 11:19 pm

Good opening move. Show 'em who's in charge. Now, make stuff happen!

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 1:02 am

Uhh...I was just commenting about Cauthen being all talk....I guess I should shut up

tat2kc · Post by **tat2kc** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:40 am

Bavo! This type of shake up is just what the city needs. The long time good ole boy network needs to realize that carrying on the same old way is not going to work any more. The city council members better leave him alone and let him do his job.

Good2Great · Post by **Good2Great** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:12 pm

Is it just me or does he strike an amazing resemblance to the "Bookman" character on Good Times?

TheDude · Post by **TheDude** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 4:06 pm

very solid resemblance to bookman, with a little rerun around the waist. i like his scorched earth policy--more heads will role before its all over.

HEY HEY HEY!! (no, wait a minute, that was Fat Alpert)

Post by **dangerboy** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 8:56 pm

Cauthen Strikes Again...

Just announced that he will hire two private companies to oversee major capital improvements and coordinate work between city departments. He says departments aren't doing enough to coordinate their work, for example when the water department digs up a street right after the public works department puts down new pavement.

http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansa ... st=b_ln_hl

DiggityDawg · Post by **DiggityDawg** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 9:12 pm

dangerboy wrote:Cauthen Strikes Again...

Just announced that he will hire two private companies to oversee major capital improvements and coordinate work between city departments. He says departments aren't doing enough to coordinate their work, for example when the water department digs up a street right after the public works department puts down new pavement.

http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansa ... st=b_ln_hl

I like THAT...I dunno how many times I've seen practically brand new asphalt or sidewalk torn up around here.

I haven't seen any pics of Cauthen...he really looks like ol' Buffalo Butt?

ignatius · Post by **ignatius** » Sun Nov 16, 2003 5:24 am

Wayne's World, Wayne's World, Party Time, Excellent!!! I've heard of several with city jobs playing air guitar over the announcement. I've also heard more is coming, up to 8 dept heads.

I really dig this guy. We need more shakeup of the good-ole-boy network and get people off their asses and fear for their cushy jobs.

QueSi2Opie · Post by **QueSi2Opie** » Sun Nov 16, 2003 12:14 pm

I was talkin' to some old woman yesterday about Wayne Cauthen. She was upset about this guy from Denver comin' to Kansas City and firing all these good local people for outsiders. I needed to remind her that all of KC's movers & shakers in the past had come from places outside of Kansas City. As long as they take in consideration our great history (not recent history either)....KC's history of the West rivals Boston's of the East.

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 1:55 pm

Cauthen strikes again!!!

Cleaning this city up starts with city employees...

[quote]Posted on Wed, Jan. 28, 2004

City manager implements ethics reforms

By RICK ALM The Kansas City Star

Kansas City Manager Wayne Cauthen has announced a series of ethical reforms after employees solicited local businesses for hundreds of dollars' worth of Christmas gifts for themselves in December.

Assistant City Manager Richard Noll said Tuesday that the city would not disclose whether any employees in the Convention & Entertainment Centers office would be disciplined.

In a written statement, Cauthen said he would require more ethics training for city employees, along with other reforms urged by the city's internal auditor, Roy Greenway, who investigated the gift solicitations.

â€œIt is important that our citizens and contractors are assured that city employees conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards in every aspect of their duties and responsibilities,â€

TheDude · Post by **TheDude** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 3:15 pm

hey, its business at City Hall as usual; no different from the mayor and council whoring themselves out to the developers, attorneys, etc for campaign $$ then rolling over like a whipped dog when they come knocking on the door for favors.

UMKCgal · Post by **UMKCgal** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:39 pm

Oh my god!!! These kind of ppl are the ones running this city? Soliciting local businesses for Christmas presents...FOR THEMSELVES!?!?!?!?!?!

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:49 pm

Well, they are the ones running the KC Convention and Visitor's Bureau I believe.

Post by **mean** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 10:18 pm

Oh my god!!! These kind of ppl are the ones running this city? Soliciting local businesses for Christmas presents...FOR THEMSELVES!?!?!?!?!?!

Yes! And if you think that's the worst of it, I got some city audits for you to read.

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 12:47 am

...Cauthen Watch...

He's at it again. "No sex in city firehouses."

Embarrassing accusations

City Manager Wayne Cauthen offered some blunt advice Thursday for Kansas City firefighters who have spare time on their hands: Don't have sex in the city's fire stations.

That might seem so obvious that a city manager shouldn't need to say it. But new and embarrassing allegations involving Fire Department personnel made it necessary.

In a federal lawsuit, firefighter Raymond Littrell says some colleagues had sex with female visitors at the Westport station. Littrell also says top fire officials punished him for reporting the behavior and tried to cover it up.

Of course, these allegations are in the early stages of the judicial process. They could eventually be found without merit. But they concern a department that has been humiliated in the past by juvenile and even illegal behavior of some firefighters.

A city fire truck was used in a calendar featuring women in bikinis to promote an exotic dance club. Four dispatchers were disciplined for watching a pornographic video on city time at a communications center.

Worst of all, some male firefighters engaged in years of discrimination against female colleagues.

Kansas City's Fire Department has tried to improve its image in recent years. This latest lawsuit, if it proves to be true, could seriously damage that claim.

Â© 2004 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.kansascity.com

Post by **dangerboy** » Sun Feb 08, 2004 10:14 am

Good to see Cauthen put the smack down. The fire department is a menace. Even though they are among the highest paid firefighters in the country, the level of professionalism is no where near as high as what we pay for. All thanks to their union, the most powerful politcal interest group in the city.

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 2:35 pm

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Good year for Cauthen

Wayne Cauthen's first year as city manager has been a productive one.

After replacing Bob Collins a year ago today, Cauthen discovered some longtime staff members didn't share his sense of urgency to improve city services. He removed the directors of four important departments.

Cauthen also convinced the City Council to approve a new contracting system that is supposed to cut red tape and speed up tens of millions of dollars worth of capital improvements. He said bluntly that the city's processes had bogged down everything from big street projects to sidewalk repairs.

And in a big victory for Cauthen on Tuesday, Kansas City voters approved $250 million in bonds to repair roads, bridges, parks and other basic assets. The city manager had promoted the bond package around town, emphasizing the backlog of maintenance work.

Cauthen is plainspoken in public, whether answering questions from City Council members or from residents at neighborhood meetings. It's a refreshing change for Kansas Citians accustomed to so many vague statements at City Hall.

There have been some mistakes. Cauthen backed employee salary increases that exceeded inflation, exacerbating the city's financial problems. His annual budget, which takes effect May 1, unwisely slashes indigent care funding.

The problems that faced the city manager a year ago had built up over the previous decade. They couldn't be fixed in a year. But while he has much more work ahead of him, Wayne Cauthen has had a promising first year.

Â© 2004 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.kansascity.com