Print
Comment
Rate
Council seems ready to hand reins to Nichols
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
It appears the Benson City Council will not be looking outside the city for a new leader, since a recent public discussion had all seven members supporting Glenn Nichols, who has been serving as interim city manager since July.
Council members have applauded Nichols' no-nonsense approach to running the city during the last eight months. He took over after Martin Roush was fired, and with the city in turmoil.
Two council members have since been recalled, Mayor Mark Fenn has continually fought allegations he violated state conflict of interest laws, and before Roush's exit, city staff was on edge, not knowing what to expect next.
Nichols has been commended for making a tough situation better, for calming the waters and giving City Hall a friendlier atmosphere.
When asked about his approach, Nichols, a member of the Benson Rotary Club, said he took the principles from the nationwide organization and posted them for all city employees to see.
Known as the four-way test, the questions asked are, "Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"
Nichols said he is not promoting the Rotary Club, but believes in the four questions, and has had them posted in all the offices throughout City Hall.
Nichols, who was hired as the police chief in 2000, said he tells the city staff to ask themselves those questions, and it has apparently worked in changing that attitude of staff and the image of City Hall.
Mayor Mark Fenn said city employees on more than one occasion have told him that they like Nichols' management style, and local business owners have expressed their support as well.
Councilman David Lambert at a recent City Council meeting said things are more "harmonious" and Nichols has made that happen.
With the interim appointment on the verge of becoming permanent, Nichols was asked if the lack of city manager experience is an issue. Some of his detractors have said he has only finished projects started by Roush since his appointment.
Nichols agreed that he is new to the position, but feels he has the qualifications and experience to handle such a job. Besides a degree in criminal justice, Nichols also graduated from the Qualified Manager Program offered by the Arizona State University several years ago.
Nichols said he does want to continue on as city manager, and if a contract is offered during the April 13 City Council meeting as planned, he will accept the job.
"My main thought is to keep the city moving forward," he said. "We've got a good team on staff, and we are doing pretty well despite the economy. I really feel we can provide better services."
Nichols agreed he has been finishing projects started by Roush, but has taken them further. One example is finalizing the purchase of the San Juan Water Company.
Roush first introduced the project a year ago, and the council approved the utility purchase for $30,000 in January. Nichols said after the purchase was finalized, they have worked to improve the utility and bring service for customers up to city standards.
Looking at all water utilities, Nichols said the city is also working to improve degraded valves and pipes in some areas.
Nichols said he has also been working with department heads to finish the human resources manual.
Nichols said there were too many concerns with staff not understanding their job descriptions, and working with department heads they have been able to sort out the issue.
Even with something like a new personnel policy, Nichols said he's never going to become a micro-manager. He will let them do their jobs, and as city manager, he is there to provide supervision and make sure the city stays on track.
Nichols said there will be few personnel changes in the near future, noting that the economy is playing a part in everything the city does. The city will continue without a building official or a planning and zoning director. Public Works director Brad Hamilton and the building staff are handling the department.
With less construction in Benson and all over Arizona, the staff is not overworked, Nichols said.
It also appears that if Nichols is the city manager, the city won't be hiring a police chief. Current plans call to keep Nichols in both positions and increase the responsibilities of Lt. Paul Moncada, who has been with the department for more than 30 years.
Since July, Nichols said he has handled both the city manager and police chief positions with ease. He visits the police department in the mornings and checks messages and communicates with staff, then spends the remainder of his day at City Hall.
As for starting new projects, Nichols said there has been some hesitation to start anything new over the last year, not because of a lack of experience, but because of cost.
"The downturn in the economy has affected our being able to move forward with a lot of projects," Nichols said. "Some projects in our capital improvements program have had to be put on hold. We have had some internal discussions on improving city operations and services to the community without having to hire outside contractors or spend too much money."
City spending and financial well-being is one thing Nichols has been very vigilant of over the last six months. Department heads have been warned to only spend money where it is absolutely needed, and to tighten their belts on the rest.
Monthly reports from Finance Director Jim Cox have shown this to be a stable time for the city, with Benson in better shape than most Arizona cities.
Nichols said a lack of construction projects throughout city due to the economic downturn has also slowed new proposals coming in to the city.
With the public, Nichols said he is taking an open-door approach. Residents with issues and concerns are welcome to call or stop by City Hall to talk to him.
In April, the interim contract approved for Nichols will expire. The council is expected to discuss contract terms to make him the full-time city manager in an executive session, and then vote to make it official on April 13.
In serving as the police chief and interim city manager, Nichols' salary is $105,000 a year.
It appears the Benson City Council will not be looking outside the city for a new leader, since a recent public discussion had all seven members supporting Glenn Nichols, who has been serving as interim city manager since July.
Council members have applauded Nichols' no-nonsense approach to running the city during the last eight months. He took over after Martin Roush was fired, and with the city in turmoil.
Two council members have since been recalled, Mayor Mark Fenn has continually fought allegations he violated state conflict of interest laws, and before Roush's exit, city staff was on edge, not knowing what to expect next.
Nichols has been commended for making a tough situation better, for calming the waters and giving City Hall a friendlier atmosphere.
When asked about his approach, Nichols, a member of the Benson Rotary Club, said he took the principles from the nationwide organization and posted them for all city employees to see.
Known as the four-way test, the questions asked are, "Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"
Nichols said he is not promoting the Rotary Club, but believes in the four questions, and has had them posted in all the offices throughout City Hall.
Nichols, who was hired as the police chief in 2000, said he tells the city staff to ask themselves those questions, and it has apparently worked in changing that attitude of staff and the image of City Hall.
Mayor Mark Fenn said city employees on more than one occasion have told him that they like Nichols' management style, and local business owners have expressed their support as well.
Councilman David Lambert at a recent City Council meeting said things are more "harmonious" and Nichols has made that happen.
With the interim appointment on the verge of becoming permanent, Nichols was asked if the lack of city manager experience is an issue. Some of his detractors have said he has only finished projects started by Roush since his appointment.
Nichols agreed that he is new to the position, but feels he has the qualifications and experience to handle such a job. Besides a degree in criminal justice, Nichols also graduated from the Qualified Manager Program offered by the Arizona State University several years ago.
Nichols said he does want to continue on as city manager, and if a contract is offered during the April 13 City Council meeting as planned, he will accept the job.
"My main thought is to keep the city moving forward," he said. "We've got a good team on staff, and we are doing pretty well despite the economy. I really feel we can provide better services."
Nichols agreed he has been finishing projects started by Roush, but has taken them further. One example is finalizing the purchase of the San Juan Water Company.
Roush first introduced the project a year ago, and the council approved the utility purchase for $30,000 in January. Nichols said after the purchase was finalized, they have worked to improve the utility and bring service for customers up to city standards.
Looking at all water utilities, Nichols said the city is also working to improve degraded valves and pipes in some areas.
Nichols said he has also been working with department heads to finish the human resources manual.
Nichols said there were too many concerns with staff not understanding their job descriptions, and working with department heads they have been able to sort out the issue.
Even with something like a new personnel policy, Nichols said he's never going to become a micro-manager. He will let them do their jobs, and as city manager, he is there to provide supervision and make sure the city stays on track.
Nichols said there will be few personnel changes in the near future, noting that the economy is playing a part in everything the city does. The city will continue without a building official or a planning and zoning director. Public Works director Brad Hamilton and the building staff are handling the department.
With less construction in Benson and all over Arizona, the staff is not overworked, Nichols said.
It also appears that if Nichols is the city manager, the city won't be hiring a police chief. Current plans call to keep Nichols in both positions and increase the responsibilities of Lt. Paul Moncada, who has been with the department for more than 30 years.
Since July, Nichols said he has handled both the city manager and police chief positions with ease. He visits the police department in the mornings and checks messages and communicates with staff, then spends the remainder of his day at City Hall.
As for starting new projects, Nichols said there has been some hesitation to start anything new over the last year, not because of a lack of experience, but because of cost.
"The downturn in the economy has affected our being able to move forward with a lot of projects," Nichols said. "Some projects in our capital improvements program have had to be put on hold. We have had some internal discussions on improving city operations and services to the community without having to hire outside contractors or spend too much money."
City spending and financial well-being is one thing Nichols has been very vigilant of over the last six months. Department heads have been warned to only spend money where it is absolutely needed, and to tighten their belts on the rest.
Monthly reports from Finance Director Jim Cox have shown this to be a stable time for the city, with Benson in better shape than most Arizona cities.
Nichols said a lack of construction projects throughout city due to the economic downturn has also slowed new proposals coming in to the city.
With the public, Nichols said he is taking an open-door approach. Residents with issues and concerns are welcome to call or stop by City Hall to talk to him.
In April, the interim contract approved for Nichols will expire. The council is expected to discuss contract terms to make him the full-time city manager in an executive session, and then vote to make it official on April 13.
In serving as the police chief and interim city manager, Nichols' salary is $105,000 a year.
 |
 |
|
| ILLICIT TRAFFIC | Schools not yet sure on fed funding |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
