It is time for tough choices
I empathize with Shannon Metty. To be at the center of such controversy must be extremely difficult. It’s unfortunate the Sunshine Act forces such a sensitive and personal matter as one’s job performance into the public arena. Ideally, as it is in the private sector, a decision is made that one’s employment must end, there is a private conversation and the matter is resolved. It is always gut-wrenching for both sides, but having to play it out with 14,000 residents looking on is particularly unpleasant for all concerned. It is even more complex in her situation because it will require a majority of five to end the relationship. In what was, by every account, an embarrassment to the entire county, she escaped termination in July. I firmly believe the vote favoring her was the result of it being perceived as a personal matter and not a personnel matter, and that a full accounting of the facts would have changed the vote. Had there been a presentation of facts, most employers could not have, in good conscience, allowed her to remain on the job. There will not be a repeat of that mistake.
I’m not quite certain how, but I seem to have become the digital voice for change. With that, I’d like to say this is also difficult for me, and I’d like to explain where I think things are and where I see them going.
I came to Jefferson County a decade ago and immediately found myself focused on land use and our county government’s codes. From that, I came to see that Jefferson County’s codes had become severely outdated and developers were buying land, requesting land use change and challenging the county’s denial of their application based on outdated and ambiguous codes. Working to protect my neighbors and nearby neighborhoods was my introduction to Ms. Metty. I remained involved and consequently had occasion to quietly watch her work. What I observed was a dedicated and willing employee who was being given too many assignments, and that many of those assignments were too complex for her experience and skills. I watched as she willingly accepted all that was thrown at her knowing she was getting in way over her head. The result of this was too many mistakes, too many delays, too many explanations and too many apologies for failing to deliver time sensitive work product. The commissioners, aware she had a heavy workload were too forgiving while residents suffered her delay, lack of knowledge and inability to be responsive to them. It became evident then and still is today, she lacks the knowledge, experience, skills, and temperament for the role of county manager.
* Today, those commissioners, who put her in the job, are faced with a difficult decision, but things have changed in the last five years. It is a critical time for all county governments.
* Today, our county must have an executive-level county manager to liase with state government departments and our delegation. Our delegation and the Department of Commerce have sounded the alarm and have signaled that all non-essential funding will be paused while we work on our internal issues. In many ways, Shannon Metty is our internal issue. I’ve heard it phrased by Tallahassee officials as “getting our act together.” This is a grave situation. Does Ms. Metty understand the implication of it to the county and its residents?
* Today, our commissioners must have an executive level county manager to strategize, organize, initiate and lead. Upon reflection, I realize they have been unable to do their job under current conditions. They must realize the county manager is frequently impeding their service to their constituency. This is untenable, and can not continue.
* Today, our citizens are being enlightened. Many are reaching out to tell of their experience with an inexperienced and unresponsive county manager. They are being galvanized to action. Many are saying they would never have led the charge but they want to join the march. There is an overwhelming majority who are calling for change and Ms. Metty should expect them to be very vocal at the next board meeting.
She has placed the commissioners in an awkward and difficult position. They have remained silent, but the citizens will not allow that to continue and sooner or later, our county government leaders must publicly explain and defend her or they must take official action. It only takes one vote. Surely, Ms. Metty knows a change is inevitable and by my read of public opinion, much of the grace her neighbors were initially willing to show her is waning.
Cindy Pyburn