Presque Isle needs more workers, not managers
To the editor:
I seldom write your paper as I’m not too involved in local politics, and as I age, seem to care less and less about more and more. However, I did watch the City Council meetings in part recently. Happened to be surfing at the time. What I saw disturbed me just a bit.
First time I saw the City Council approve a new assistant city manager with no opposition. Seems in these financial times that is a bold step, as we never had one before to my knowledge. I did not get too concerned as they seem to be economizing on other things. Then a while later, maybe a couple of weeks or a month or so, I tuned in again and they were discussing cutting the number of plowmen to do the streets of our fair city. They seemed to have no objection to cutting that group by a couple of positions.
Then it occurred to me that having a plowman was somewhat more vital than having someone assisting the city manager. The thought crossed my mind that perhaps the plan was to cross-train the assistant city manager so, as needed, he/she could help out with the plowing when we were in a bind due to heavy snows or when one of the regulars was out due to illness or just tuckered out from back-to-back storms which we do occasionally have.
A couple of hours’ extension of plowing time did not seem to raise an eyebrow from the council members, but not so many years ago we had record-breaking snowfall. I don’t think anyone thought we should have fewer plowmen then. And, honestly, I don’t recall anyone wishing we had an assistant city manager, but somehow that has all changed.
Perhaps the council should table this issue until mid-winter when the rubber hits the road or not, as it happens.
Glyn David Lovely
Presque Isle
