Look for experience and education

The only ones who seem to be in opposition to Marysville Proposition 1 – the measure that would bring professional management to our city – seem to be current and a former politicians. Among their reasons is that we can’t afford it because it might cost more for a manager versus the current mayor’s salary. That reminds me of a number of old sayings like, “you get what you pay for” or “it takes money to make money.” Do we want a trained professional? Or do we want to settle for less – a “roll of the dice” as one letter writer put it?

A recent article in the paper said the city was negotiating to buy a building for $1.7 million for more staff space. If somehow we’re flush with cash to do this, then I don’t buy the argument that we might spend a nominal amount more for a manager to be credible. If hiring a professional to manage the city is so bad, why is it so popular?

The article also stated that the city has 218 employees, and I would suppose a budget of tens of millions of dollars. We have an elected city council to represent us, whether I personally like them or not. So again, would you rather have someone with experience and education to manage this many people and the budget, or do we roll the dice again next election?

Marysville

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