First and foremost, heartiest congratulations to Garry Brumback who has done an exceptional job as Southington's Town Manager in the past two and a half years.
Problems and challenges that plagued the town for years and seemed insurmountable have been taken on with alacrity and keen insight by this accomplished man of excellent skills in leadership, creativity and communications. He has, indeed, performed beyond expectations.
Now, the entire Town Council should be congratulated for their recognition and wisdom in approving a well-justified increase in compensation, modest though it is, with an understandable eye on the economic times.
Quite frankly, however, it is difficult to reckon how the town council would, on the one hand, unanimously declare the Town Manager's performance to be beyond expectations with a few deeming it necessary to express concerns about a three-year extension of his contract, ahead of schedule.
It sort of leaves an unnecessary bitter sweet taste in the process, doesn't it? What better way to validate the confidence and trust in a manager who is unanimously deemed to have performed beyond expectations, than to go "beyond the expectations" of an ordinary reward?
What possible positive effect would it have to withhold the extension of his contract until its final six months before securing the services of this extraordinary public servant for another tour of duty. Why not do that in a style that is genuinely "beyond expectations" and demonstrate, in a meaningful way, the appreciation of our town council's confidence?
As already noted, the modest increase was in keeping with the times though not perhaps reflecting the full value of this outstanding manager. OK. But, it afforded the town council an opportunity, without additional cost, to say: "Well-done. Beyond expectations. We would like to renew your contract now rather than later!"
Not a time to politicize this, but there seems to be a practical lesson here in proper reward and appreciation that is commensurate with such a high appraisal. Offering highest praise with reservations does diminish the praise!
And, by the way, the media and the public do notice it.
Read breaking story in today's Southington Patch.
