Statement from Mayor Frank Tower on city manager meetings
Following is a statement from Mayor Frank Tower, given after the Monday, July 30th executive (closed) session of the Oshkosh Common Council to discuss the performance and employment of city manager Richard Wollangk...
"The Council has reviewed the information and concerns requested at our last meeting and has discussed its alternatives. Focusing on this information and formalizing our concerns has led to the need to collect additional information and verify some of the concerns raised before determining the appropriate action. The Council plans on meeting and discussing this information in the near future. As any decision on this matter may well impact the City for years to come, we do want to carefully consider all our options and make our best effort to come up with the best possible decision under the circumstances.
"The state statutes provide as one alternative for dealing with this matter that the Council present Mr. Wollangk a notice that his employment may be discontinued at the end of 60 days, giving him an opportunity to respond. If the Common Council were to take that course of action, it would have the duty to provide Mr. Wollangk with due process. One tenet of due process is that of an impartial decision maker. Mr. Bain has publicly stated that he believes Mr. Wollangk has to leave. That statement could be viewed as pre-determination of the Mr. Wollangk’s employment status and a violation of Mr. Wollangk’s due process right to an impartial decision maker. The Common Council is appropriately addressing all aspects of this matter, therefore , Mr. Bain is not participating in the initial decision of what action may be appropriate. In the event that the Council determines to follow the statutory notice procedure, Mr. Bain will be unable to participate in that hearing.
"The Council anticipates reviewing the materials that have been collected and will be verifying additional information. In an attempt to bring closure to the matter, we anticipate meeting again hopefully within the next 2 weeks, depending on the availability of Council members. Again we thank the public for its patience while we make this important decision. We will keep you advised of our progress."
"The Council has reviewed the information and concerns requested at our last meeting and has discussed its alternatives. Focusing on this information and formalizing our concerns has led to the need to collect additional information and verify some of the concerns raised before determining the appropriate action. The Council plans on meeting and discussing this information in the near future. As any decision on this matter may well impact the City for years to come, we do want to carefully consider all our options and make our best effort to come up with the best possible decision under the circumstances.
"The state statutes provide as one alternative for dealing with this matter that the Council present Mr. Wollangk a notice that his employment may be discontinued at the end of 60 days, giving him an opportunity to respond. If the Common Council were to take that course of action, it would have the duty to provide Mr. Wollangk with due process. One tenet of due process is that of an impartial decision maker. Mr. Bain has publicly stated that he believes Mr. Wollangk has to leave. That statement could be viewed as pre-determination of the Mr. Wollangk’s employment status and a violation of Mr. Wollangk’s due process right to an impartial decision maker. The Common Council is appropriately addressing all aspects of this matter, therefore , Mr. Bain is not participating in the initial decision of what action may be appropriate. In the event that the Council determines to follow the statutory notice procedure, Mr. Bain will be unable to participate in that hearing.
"The Council anticipates reviewing the materials that have been collected and will be verifying additional information. In an attempt to bring closure to the matter, we anticipate meeting again hopefully within the next 2 weeks, depending on the availability of Council members. Again we thank the public for its patience while we make this important decision. We will keep you advised of our progress."
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 8:46 AM
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