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To the editor:
I have some serious concerns that the city manager is not qualified for his position and the city council cannot be trusted to make that decision. Here is why:
• The council gave Michael Ilczyszyn the position, giving him a $110,000 pay raise over his job as director of Public Works. This position was provided to him without seeking more qualified sources.
After he received his promotion and raise, the city manager, who presents the meeting agenda to the mayor became instrumental in its process. As such:
• The city manager was instrumental in the three ordinances for the stipend being placed on the Council consent agenda that doubled the pay of the mayor and council.
• The city manager was instrumental in removing all non-statute volunteer boards. In his opinion they were unneeded and cost his staff time to participate.
• His contempt for Citizen Input is clearly on display by his comments towards citizen's views of his performance.
• While in his position with Public Works, Ilczyszyn oversaw the design and construction of the $60 million Parks GO bond projects. The project is now expected to overrun by $40 million and most of the parks are three years late to be complete. The Yacht Club enhancements were removed from the project and its future is in limbo.
• The city manager was instrumental in accepting an unsolicited offer to significantly alter Jaycee Park against the will the neighbors in the area. His office negotiated this deal and acted swiftly to destroy all the trees prior to a new council being elected that would have canceled that contract. It is uncertain when Jaycee Park will reopen.
• The city manager recommended giving Slipaway Food Truck Park a $1 million incentive grant after the fact. This should never have been put on the Council agenda.
A Charter Review Commission has been organized to review our Charter; a referendum should be proposed to make the city manager role an elected position. This was done with success for the Lee County School District and has been suggested for the Lee County manager position as well. The council has stated many times that the city manager runs the city; it is time for the voters to choose the city manager instead of five members of the council.
Tom Shadrach
Cape Coral