AnonymousSource: City of Santa Barbara
City of Santa Barbara Community Development Director, George Buell, has announced his intent to leave the City. His last day in the office will be July 16, 2020. His letter to City Administrator Paul Casey is attached here. Resignation Letter
Buell was appointed Community Development Director in April 2014. Since then, he has overseen a $12 million General Fund budget and a staff of 77 in four divisions: Administration, Building and Safety, Housing and Human Services and Planning.
“It has been an honor and pleasure to work in Santa Barbara,” Buell said. “Of particular noteworthiness is my appreciation for my dedicated colleagues, especially those in Community Development. Together, we have done a tremendous amount of good and the excellent quality of our work is world class.”
“I thank George for his service to the Santa Barbara community and wish him well in his next endeavor,” said City Administrator Paul Casey.
The city will conduct a nationwide recruitment for a permanent replacement. No decision has been made for an interim appointment after Buell’s departure.
when you clean house youre supposed to start from the top
They say “nationwide search” so that it doesn’t look like they are practicing nepotism when you end up hiring the interim manager that was filling in for the dearly departed boss. But is it very difficult to find anyone more knowledgeable about the job than the people in the department. Management has to really dislike the people in the department to pass them over.
I think it’s essential that someone familiar with the history and culture of the city be chosen. Someone from outside will have a major learning curve to follow. Find someone who was born and bred in this town!
Now that the bully developers and friends have “achieved” this end, whats next? Theyll try to install Ed St G as the new Director? Sad to see this and also the bandwagon that the green City Councilmembers jumped on without truly understanding who was driving the wagon.
Who is taking bets on where Buell lands? His letter says “local real estate developer”…so it won’t be a tough call and no fair betting if you already know.
They always say “nationwide” search and then often choose from within the “family”. There’s something to be said for hiring outside of Santa Barbara – and something to be said, too, for hiring from within. But having a “nationwide recruitment” puffs up the new hiree. It is not an easy job, especially with all the personalities in Community Development; it will be a huge learning curve for almost anyone. It will be months and months before someone comes onboard and if Paul Casey leaves before then, then….?
The “nation wide search” slogan is cover for the excuse to hire a “consultant” who will get big bucks to find a candidate who is frequently in trouble from the current bosses. We will be told the candidate is innovative, strong willed, stands up to the repressive forces of the people who do not like what is being done but has a guiding principle. In reality these candidates are often problematic. It is amazing that governments have fallen into the trap that denies the competency of those who were trained, indoctrinated and supported by the community they work in. On occasion it is, of course, worthwhile to bring a new “vision” into a position that has been tarnished but generally this is merely cover for the consultant and the politicians to claim they have a “change agent.” In the end we need dedicated and trained civil servants, not politically ambitious poseurs who only talk the walk. Consider the last two police chiefs.
In my neighborhood some incredibly offensive building permits have been authorized by the current system. I do not see that the present group is that concerned about community impact. They seem mostly attuned to kissing the hand of those with power. Especially the architects that perpetuate themselves on the planning commission.
Isn’t there a governmental duty to conduct a search?!
Wouldn’t critics criticize if the “search” were only local?!
Damned if we do and damned if we don’t.
I’m just pointing out a fact of life, not supporting any group.
And it was Sheila who called out slick Ed St. G’s attempt to slip in city college dorms masked as a hotel. Of course as always deleting some existing affordable housing to build his money makers.
Someone with values similar to those of Sheila Lodge would be perfect! Oh, wait. She wasn’t born and bred here.
So many experts weighing in here like RHS. Wow who knew we had planning and development and recruiting experts right here. Jeez
You know this all too well Pit…
Good time to leave. The layoffs and pension clawbacks are coming. The smart ones are going to bail before the necessary reductions are made.
Is Dario Pini available?