It was touching Friday evening to see family and out of city firefighters of our now former City Manager come to our Council meeting to rally behind Mr. DeLaBruere. Many of you will recall the excitement and enthusiasm which accompanied his hiring by the City Council just earlier this year. Regrettably, as sometimes happens when you hire people to manage others and to tend to important financial and operational matters, the relationship did not work out as had been hoped.
Much of the work of the Council leading to Friday’s vote was done in what we call “executive session,” that is, in non-public sessions authorized by law to be done privately in order to protect employees against open, public discussion of sensitive personnel matters.
Be assured that the City Council’s decision to make this change was not done lightly, but with careful consideration as to what would best serve the interests of the City of Newport and its residents and taxpayers both over the long and short term, with due regard for Mr. DeLaBruere’s personal situation. No one doubts that Jonathan has been and remains a good son, friend and enthusiastic volunteer firefighter. But the City Council’s obligation is to take the longer view, even if that means making decisions that negatively impact individual employees.
I noted that a few who spoke on Jonathan’s behalf on Friday asserted as “fact” circumstances leading to Friday’s action that were just wrong, including someone who’s comments suggested she had some inside knowledge of what was happening within the Council while it was in executive session.
Curiously, a few others loudly claimed the decision was “political,” which completely befuddles me as I can’t think of any political objective – not one — that might have been served by making this unhappy change. At this point, though, there’s nothing gained by rehashing or debating what happened — we need to keep moving forward, to include launching the important work we are about to embark on over the next several months on the City’s proposed revitalization plan.
As to that plan, I am pleased to report, that it is scheduled to be on the next Council meeting agenda. Exciting times for Newport. We look forward to this top priority presentation so that next steps will be acted upon. A shout out to our Treasurer and his team for getting us smoothly through the election and for working closely with the Mayor to be sure that we monitor the financial transactions and follow more appropriate compliant procedures that the Council has been implementing and moving away from historical practices.
I would like to thank our Veterans, who unselfishly placed their lives on the line for our freedom. I would like to thank their families as well. Remember, our Veterans were ordinary people until they heard the call of duty and answered it. They left their families and their homes and changed their lives. They didn’t do this for recognition or fame or even the honor we bestow upon them. They fought to maintain our way of life. We must honor them always.
Get ready for the holidays. Newport Recreation Director Mike Brown is working to keep festivities going for our Newport residents and those who visit our gem of a City. See you at my Mayor’s hours on Mondays from 9-11:00 AM at the Council room and on Wednesday’s by appointment. We have been having wonderful discussions at the Mayor’s hours and working together as a City.
Watch for more updates as I continue with the Mayor’s Department Head meetings and our professional team of department heads and their individual teams continue to work with the Mayor/Council and our City partners for the betterment of Newport. Rest assured that the Council has been putting in extensive hours as they work for our residents.
Thank you for your confidence,
Your Mayor, Linda Joy Sullivan
