Letters to the Editor 1-14-16

In defense of the Town Manager
Editor: In response to a letter to the editor from one of my council colleagues, contrary to what they’ve falsely stated, the recent departure of our Community Development Director, a decision made by the Town Manager, is a personnel matter not within the purview of the council. For a councilperson who has been against a project all year to tie this personnel matter to the project they’ve openly opposed is misleading and irresponsible.
Our Town Manager Linda Kelly has had significant experience working within city organizations and is well known and respected throughout the North Bay area. We are very fortunate to have someone of her caliber at the helm. I trust her judgement and that of our human resources department. It is their job to monitor and protect the wellbeing of all Town employees. Like any organization, personnel problems sometimes arise and tough decisions need to be made. In the case of cities, it is the city manager who manages such things.
State law restricts council members from commenting on personnel matters. State labor laws are explicit and guidance regarding these have been shared with each Windsor Planning Commissioner and Town Council members by our legal counsel.
Last week our Town Manager appointed Windsor Public Works Director Toni Bertolero to assume the role of Interim Community Development Director and current Public Works Deputy Director of Engineering, Stuart Hayre to serve as Acting Public Works Director. Both have exemplary records of service.
The Town also intends to bring on a contract planning assistance to continue to move the General Plan update forward. The council is committed to completing this process this year. Our community can look forward to three upcoming General Plan workshops beginning on March 1 that will facilitate the gathering of critical input needed from residents about how Windsor should evolve and progress over the next 25 years.  
All of these changes bode well for Windsor. I am excited about the modifications our Town Manager has outlined. These changes will ensure that our community’s objectives are being met and will continue in a smooth and efficient manner.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 707-522-8526 or at

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Mark Millan
Mayor
Town of Windsor
Editor: This letter is in response to the recent negative articles and letters to the editor that have been written about current personnel issues at the Town of Windsor. As presidents of three employee bargaining units at the Town with majority support from our members including confidential staff, we wish to express our views of the current culture.
Town Manager Linda Kelly was hired in December 2012. It was no secret that morale was very low at that time for a number of reasons, and Windsor did not have a reputation as a good place to work. Since Linda started there has been a complete turnaround in staff morale, and the reputation of the Town as an employer.
When Linda was hired, she immediately scheduled appointments with all full-time employees. This allowed her an opportunity to hear directly from each employee on what their goals, concerns and expectations were for themselves and the Town. The meeting gave the employee a glimpse of Linda’s management style and the employees welcomed the opportunity to meet face-to-face.
It became apparent very quickly that Linda has a genuine concern for the organization, the employees and the citizens. Linda has implemented a number of positive changes at the Town, including:
•Launching a series of meetings in which every employee had a voice and input in creating the vision and values they wanted the Town and staff to represent. Afterwards each employee was given a copy of the vision and values, with poster stationed throughout the Town buildings to reflect on their hard work and hold staff accountable to the values that were created.
•Linda implemented an annual Leadership Breakfast bringing together the Town management and employee bargaining teams to discuss issues and potential resolutions surrounding employee relations.
•Linda personally sat on the Town negotiating team during labor negotiations, which was greatly appreciated by the individual bargaining teams. This provided for transparency on both sides. While she was a strong negotiator, she was fair and respectful during the entire process, resulting in an adopted three-year contract for all employee groups.
•Linda has approved multiple reorganization plans throughout the Town, benefiting not only employees, but the community and its members as a whole. The outcome to some of the reorganizations allowed for additional positions to be created providing better customer service and the expansion of services to the citizens of Windsor.
•Work/life balance for all employees is very important to Linda. She led many initiatives ultimately leading to Windsor being named one of the “Healthiest places to Work.” The Town of Windsor is the only municipality in Sonoma County to receive this honor.
•Linda has earned the trust of staff, as they recognize her ability to balance the needs of the community, the Council and Town staff.
•Linda bases her decisions on thorough research, consideration for all parties involved and seeks input from community, staff and Council.
•Linda invests in, and encourages, staff to represent the Town in a positive and professional manner.
These are just a few of the accomplishments Linda has implemented, which have greatly changed the culture in the Town of Windsor. As a unified group of employees, we wanted our voices to be heard.
Jennifer Alton
Teamster Local No. 856
Kristina Owens
Management Employee Group
Charlie Johnson
Supervisor Employee Group