To the Editor:
I am very saddened by the loss of Ellen Smith from the Oak Ridge City Council. I have told her that she will have my support for running again in two years. We will be greatly impoverished by her absence until then.
There are those who blame long meetings on Ellen’s dedication to detail and asking many clarifying questions. The devil is always in the details, and it has been Ellen’s interest, talent, incisive mind, and dedication to the details that has made her so vital to the maintenance of good government and to ensuring the people’s right to accountability of how their money is being spent. It has been her dedication to scientific principles of actual verifiable proof of bald assertions that has made her the guardian of the people’s best interests.
Ellen’s dedication to finding answers has only been a disservice to those on council and in the city administration who think oversight of the people’s business is an intrusion and act of mistrust of those hired to administer the people’s business. There have been regular and irritating allusions to micro-management of the business of the city, as though the business of the city is not the business of the people; as though we have not elected a council with the responsibility of verifying that what is happening within the administration of the city is in the best interest of the city.
There has been one overarching reality concerning accountability in Oak Ridge for a long time. There does not exist a mechanism for council discussion and establishment of policy upon which to measure performance of the city as a whole. There is a job description for the city manager and annual goals are set, but they have tended to be vague or personal in nature and are not adequate or appropriate to the establishment of citywide goals.
The business of the council is to establish policy, and the business of the city manager is to assure the carrying out of that policy. The city council has made some progress this year in establishing some operating policy, but it appears to be a moveable standard that looks more like guidelines.
The city continues to lack a comprehensive plan that sets out immutable principles, pathways forward and measurable goals. Even if a miracle occurs and an open participatory process is established to make this happen through the will and input of the people, regular testing of the results will always be necessary. We have been very fortunate for the past five years to have had the watchful oversight and incisive questions of Ellen Smith on the City Council, and I hope all of you will join with me in 2014 in returning her to the council. Until then, accountability will not be the same.
Pat Fain
Oak Ridge
juanita hatcher says
Ellen’s dedication to the city of Oak Ridge and its residents will be impossible to duplicate. I, too, would like to express my deep regret at our failure as a city to recognize her value by re-electing her. Looking forward to seeing her return to public office SOON. Few leaders have a servant’s heart. Ellen Smith does. Thank you for your service and dedication, Ellen Smith.
Juanita Hatcher
Oak Ridge
Susie Williams Taylor says
Pat Fain, I could NOT have written any better concerning Ellen Smith. I was appalled when she wasn’t re-elected. She was a true leader. I don’t understand how anyone could NOT see her leadership qualifications along with all her other qualities. This is a huge loss for Oak Ridge!
Sam Hopwood says
It was time for a change, simple as that. The voters spoke, loud and clear. Let’s move on, there is much work to be done.