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Connecting with Tempe...with Pam Goronkin
As in baseball, city’s ‘bench’ needs depth

Our “boys of summer” have cast their spell on me. Most baseball pundits probably wrote off the Diamondbacks’ season as the disabled list grew. As I wrote this column during the first weeks of July, however, the “babybacks” had just polished off 12 wins in a row. Every coach from t-ball to the major leagues understands the importance of a strong “bench,” and the Diamondbacks’ streak proved that in spades.

Kind of interesting that win number 12 occurred June 30, the end of Tempe’s fiscal year.

In the past few days I have attended retirement party after retirement party, honoring those who have taken incentive packages to depart from Tempe’s workforce.

It feels like an epidemic. Facing a $10 million budget shortfall, providing incentives for people to leave seemed like the right idea months ago.

Of the 125 positions cut, some were retirements of senior people. We’ve had months to prepare, to train, to recruit, to mentally adjust. But now comes the reckoning. 

There are lots of human-interest stories here, certainly. There are Judy and Rod Whitt, Kyrene Corridor residents who met and married while employed at the city of Tempe. They leave with more than 30 years service each to this community. Are there others who will stay the course?

Notable, too, is Dave Fackler, departing manager of development services. Many credit Dave with shepherding the redevelopment of downtown Mill Avenue.  Some have questioned his judgment; others praised his courage.

Will we have courage to spare?

Assistant City Manager Patrick Flynn is retiring after serving in various capacities, but especially instrumental in finance and “deal making” in our community.

Who will make the deals now?

Others have spent their entire careers serving this community. There are so many that it seems unfair to mention only these few. I could write for days. How will we get along without these stalwarts?

Many of them are your Tempe neighbors, and they have quietly been doing the people’s business. All of them have given Tempe their best. We owe them a debt of gratitude. 

Vice-mayor Barb Carter expresses it well: 

“No doubt about it, this is a time of transition for Tempe.”

Many folks inside and outside of city government have whispered concern about the “brain drain.”

Make no mistake; there are implications for City Council, whose members depend on the knowledge, expertise and advice of senior members of the city’s workforce. 

Says Former city council member Linda Spears:

“I’m concerned about losing the input of several key employees, particularly as it relates to development of the Rio Salado.”

Warner area resident Steve Bauer, who has worked with developers in Tempe for many years agrees: 

“The loss of top staff members’ historical perspective is a potential cause for concern… their understanding of our history, our successes and failures has provided Tempe a solid foundation.”

Losing so many seasoned employees at once makes me gasp. Collectively, these senior people represent a considerable store of “institutional knowledge.”

Will our “bench” be adequate to the tasks ahead?  As council members, will we have the same confidence in our “rookies?”

Warner area resident and president of the Downtown Tempe Community Stan Nicpon is bullish: 

“While it’s disconcerting that so many seasoned employees are leaving, newer staff members are already picking up the baton.  Folks will rise to the occasion.”  

Still, we must be ready to seize new opportunities, even to proactively seek them out, to grab Tempe’s share of new economic development.

A confident and skillful staff is essential to our successful future. But, as Bauer offered, “It’s easy to lock-in to a certain way of looking at things. It’s beneficial to change our perspective from time to time.”

And, says Spears, “Stable leadership and continuing to seek the best advice available will enable Tempe to attract sustainable development (in the future).”

Ross Robb, partner with Benton-Robb Development and a longtime Warner area resident adds:

“As we take time to recognize the service and dedication of so many senior employees, we should also look forward with confidence to fresh faces and ideas that will enable Tempe to conquer future challenges.”   

The city of Tempe has a practice of choosing the most qualified staff available. Those who remain on Tempe’s payroll represent our “bench” our “diamonds in the rough.” 

Taking a cue from the Diamondbacks’ logo, “You never know what’s going to happen next.”

Batter up!

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