Comments on: City Admin Finalist: Ellie Oppenheim

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 02:57:12 +0000

Thought Oppenheim was Kim Jong Il as I was scrolling through. Went back up. Still do.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:48:19 +0000

I am uncomfortable with several points in this interview. One is the discussion of “branding”. We have rather too much of this thinking in the city already, and SPARK (aka “Ann Arbor USA”) has that covered. We need good management of our city for the resources we have and the people who live here.

Another is the vision of leadership as stated by this candidate. An orchestra conductor is the star and the absolute dictator of the orchestra. Will this relegate the council to second violin? We are hiring an administrator, not the person who should be setting the vision for the community. Our elected officials should do that, in concert (pun intended) with the populace. This person sounds like a top-down leader rather than a facilitator and manager.

By: Tom Whitaker

Tom Whitaker — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:17:29 +0000

2. I agree 100% with #1 above. Ann Arbor’s citizens are not afraid of change. What many of us object to though, is the arrogance, the secrecy, and the behind-the-scenes plotting that leads to enormous expenditures on pet projects like the Fuller Park Parking Structure with virtually no concern about public opinion. We are afraid of losing our voice on major policy decisions, like the giving away of our City infrastructure and equipment to corporations so they can reap large profits, while taxpayers take on all the costs and financial risks (see solid waste). We are afraid of backroom deals for public-private developments like conference centers. We are afraid of Council approving developments that run counter to our master plans and zoning (plans created with enormous public participation).

We need leaders who are not afraid to state their positions, their goals, and their personal “visions” for the future so that we can make informed decisions when voting for them–or not. We need leaders with the courage to openly discuss their opinions, ideas and beliefs, and an administrator who does not simply tolerate public participation and transparency, but celebrates it. Until then, there can never be trust.

By: Rick Cronn

Rick Cronn — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:04:45 +0000

Oppenheim sounds like yet another corporate administrator. Heavy on the bureau-speak, her answers to fluff questions seem rote and right out of a seminar handbook.

It’s good to read that Rapundalo knows that trust eroded with Roger Fraser over the years, but Council thought he was the savior when they hired him and continuously gave him great reviews and loads of perks.

Oppenheim is essentially saying the same things that Fraser said when he came to town.

Don’t get fooled again.

Lastly, Rapundalo seems convinced that his vision of the future is the one that’s best for Ann Arbor and those with different opinions just don’t get it and are afraid of change. No matter how much he continues to say that, he’s wrong.