i Petition challenges Gardiner city manager
Petition challenges Gardiner city manager
BY MECHELE COOPER
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 03/07/2009

GARDINER -- Ralph Clark waited until the city manager's contract was up for renewal before bringing a petition asking the City Council to accept new applicants for the job.

Clark said 46 people who signed the petition question City Manager Jeff Kobrock's management style and do not think they are being properly represented by him.

"I think Jeff is a very nice person," Clark said Friday. "I've just been watching from the sidelines, and don't think he's been doing the work, getting out and being a leader.

"He doesn't leave the office. You have to make an appointment to get to see him. I think his style of management is more for a larger city like Portland. But with a population of 6,100, you've got to be a man of the people. You got to get out and talk to them and have a relationship."

Petition signer Gregory Farris, who has a law firm on Water Street in Gardiner, said he believes the city needs a manager with a strong background in public relations and sales to promote growth, someone who can put together groups to go out and sell Gardiner as a place to do business.

"This is not a vendetta," Farris said. "I don't have any animosity towards Mr. Kobrock. Jeff's contract is up, and all we're asking is that they open the position and accept new applications. There's no reason why Jeff can't apply again. Maybe he would be the best candidate."

Farris said the city needs a change of direction.

"And right now it's a very difficult environment to do this," he said. "It's not very open. You could call (Augusta City Manager Bill) Bridgeo and have a nice conversation, and I don't feel I could do that here."

Kobrock declined comment, referring comments about the petition to Mayor Andrew MacLean. MacLean said the council will consider petitioners' ideas at Wednesday's meeting.

He said he knew the petition had been circulating, but said this was the first time it has been brought up during public comment at a council meeting.

MacLean said he has heard the complaints about how city government is being run, but refused to single out Kobrock.

"I do believe the city manager had diligently carried out his responsibilities and performed them to a very high level," MacLean said.

Clark, a resident and former mayor, said he waited until contract negotiations were to begin before he addressed city councilors about the petition.

Kobrock said his contract expired in March 2007. MacLean said councilors completed Kobrock's evaluation in the last quarter of 2008, and will be conducting contract negotiations within the next month.

He said negotiations were delayed because of more pressing business on the council's agenda. Also, he said councilors wanted to wait until new council members were sworn in.

According to MacLean, without a contract, Kobrock is considered an "employee at will," similar to any city employee without a formal contract.

"That simply means he shows up for work and we continue to pay him," MacLean said.

State law defines an employee at-will as one who can be terminated for any reason not specifically prohibited by law. Most Maine workers are employees-at-will, unless they are covered by a collective-bargaining agreement or other contract that limits termination.

The petition may express the will of its signers, but observers point out it's nonbinding.

Michael Starn, spokesman for the Maine Municipal Association, said the council has the sole authority and responsibility for supervising a city manager, including hiring, firing and discipline. "All of that authority rests with the council, not with the citizens at large," Starn said. "It's the highest authority in a community and even citizens can't do things in violation of the City Charter."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com

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