It would seem so, even if you pay attention to this stuff like I do;
The City Council announced today that they will be acting upon the recommendation of the Council’s ad hoc hiring committee to appoint Tom Greco as City Clerk at their meeting on December 15, 2015.
Mr. Greco recently completed service after 20 years in the U.S. Army. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University, and an Engineering Management Degree from the University of Missouri-Rolla. His last assignment in the Army was with the Corps of Engineers as the Deputy District Commander for South Florida.
“I’m excited about this opportunity for continued public service and am eager to work with the City Council and serve the residents of this great community,†said Mr. Greco.
Current City Clerk Lorie Hogstad will be retiring in May of 2016. Mr. Greco will begin on January 11, 2016. The positions will overlap for a training period through the April 12, 2016, Municipal Election. The City Council will take action on the appointment of the City Clerk at their December 15, 2015, meeting.
After Lori Hogstad announced her retirement* earlier in the year, I vaguely recall the council planning on doing a national search for her replacement, but I can’t remember when that was. About a month ago I asked a city councilor about the replacement, he didn’t say one peep to me about picking someone from a national search when I asked him who would replace Lori? “So will it be Tamara or Denise (assistant city clerks) that will replace Lori?” With a smirk on his face he replied, “They can apply if they want to.” Now looking back on the conversation, I now realize that Mr. Greco was probably already chosen. No dig on him, or the national search, I actually applaud the council for putting their best effort forward to find the most qualified person. Tom has an impressive resume, though I am not to keen on a military person running an office that needs to be very transparent. People in the military are trained to keep secrets, and they are very good at it. Another publicly funded building in Sioux Falls has a military man running operations, and that place is a lockbox.
UPDATE: As I understand it now, a National search WAS NOT done for the clerk. Mr. Greco has been living in Sioux Falls since 2010 transitioning into retirement.
I will give Tom the benefit of the doubt though, with his impressive resume, I have no doubt he is a quick learner.
Where I disagree with the council is how they went about this, pretty much in total secrecy. For a council that cries about transparency from the mayor’s office, it seems a bit hypocritical to go about hiring a replacement clerk in this matter, especially someone who will be in charge of our elections. Does Tom have election experience? Is he even registered to vote? Him and his physician wife (VA medical center, and Sanford USD medical school) took up residency in Sioux Falls in 2010. Maybe the AD Hoc meetings are open to the public, but I wouldn’t even know where to begin to find there schedule.
Then there is this line in the press release;
Mr. Greco will begin on January 11, 2016.
Almost like it is a forgone conclusion that the council will rubber stamp him next Tuesday.
Like I said, I will keep an open mind, and welcome Mr. Greco to our city.
*I find it a bit ironic that the city had to force out former city clerk Debra Owen, so they could prop up Lori into a higher pay bracket just a few years before her retirement. Hmm, wonder how that affects her retirement benefits?