City of Mascotte deserved better
OURVOICE
City of Mascotte deserved better
SHOW ME THE MONEY: We question how much credibility Gleason now has with the residents of Mascotte considering the fact he's continuously looking for better opportunities.
Jim Gleason, Mascotte city manager since July 2011, after serving six months as interim manager. Or Jim Gleason, poster child for self-serving politicians who talk out of both sides of their mouths?
To persuade council members he was the right man for the job last year, Gleason said he had the ideal credentials to save the struggling city from financial ruin. At the time, Gleason was being considered for city manager positions in Madeira Beach, Avon Park, High Springs and Boynton Beach.
After his promotion to Mascotte's permanent manager, Gleason said he would ask any city to which he had sent resumes to pull him from consideration for their city manager jobs. He never sent the emails.
Four months ago, he was still in the running to be Boynton Beach's manager. Puzzled, Gleason said he thought for sure he'd withdrawn his name. He called it all a simple misunderstanding.
More recently, Gleason said his application for the manager's post of North Palm Beach Village was no mistake. He didn't make the final cut there.
In explaining his apparent duplicity, Gleason said it all has to do with money -- not principles. Gleason makes $87,000 a year at Mascotte. North Palm Beach Villages would have paid him at least $110,000.
In other words, Gleason's pitch last year that he had only Mascotte's best interests in mind was just smoke and mirrors to persuade the council to give him the job. And since then, he's kept looking -- for more money.
As a public official, Gleason has a duty to serve the residents of Mascotte honorably and respectfully. If the conditions of his employment did not meet Gleason's high economic standards in July of last year, he should have passed on the job.
We question how much credibility Gleason now has with the residents of Mascotte considering the fact he's continuously looking for better opportunities. That's unfortunate because they need a manager that is truly committed to rolling up his shirt sleeves and working hand-in-hand with the council to solve the city's lingering financial concerns.
Friday, April 27, 2012 - www.dailycommercial.com/042712sleeve