ARLINGTON – With a major shake-up of city government looming, a few longtime Arlington business owners said such a shake-up might be a good idea.
On Wednesday, the city released a consultant’s report that had stinging criticisms of some city supervisors, including city administrator Kristin Banfield. Two days earlier, Banfield announced that she was stepping back into her old, unfilled position as assistant administrator. An interim replacement, Lee Walton, will be introduced to City Council on Monday.
The extra help would be needed if the council agrees to implement the report’s 21 recommendations, which include developing a detailed, prioritized work plan and tracking its progress. Other personnel changes were recommended as well.
Dale Duskin, owner of Arlington Pharmacy, said he could tell all was not well based on interacting with city employees at the pharmacy. The review was a good idea, he said.
“If that’s what’s required to get us on track as a city, I say, OK, give us our licks. Then let’s go forward, not backward,” Duskin said. “I applaud Mayor (Margaret) Larson big time for being willing to expose not only the city, but herself, for review.”
Mike Jones, owner of Arlington Hardware, agreed. Bringing in Walton, who has experience as an interim city administrator, is a good idea, he said.
“It means we don’t have to get involved with a panic search,” he said.
Bruce Bruch, owner of Brooster’s Cafe, said the city’s rapid growth merits having two top administrators.
“We need the support,” he said. “The small-town days, those are just gone.”
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