City manager placed on administrative leave

I want to thank Hector for leading the City in the right direction. We hired Hector as the Finance Director, not as City Manager. Council member Darling and myself encouraged Hector to apply for the position of CM because we knew he had the leadership abilities to make a positive differance in this community, which he did. I am proud of him for thinking independently and having the conviction to protect the cities best interest. Please send anonymous post of your feelings of this issue. JOE

BARSTOW — The City Council voted 4 to 1 to place the city manager, Hector Rodriguez, on paid administrative leave during a closed session meeting on Monday, raising questions about the relationship between the council and Rodriguez. City attorney Yvette Abich said that Rodriguez has not been terminated but declined to give further details, saying that the decision had occurred in a closed session of the council. “It’s a personnel issue, we have to respect Mr. Rodriguez’s right to privacy,” Abich said. She said that Rodriguez had been placed on paid leave for an indefinite amount of time but declined to say when or if he would return to work. In the interim, Ron Rector, city economic development director, will serve as acting city manager, Abich said. Citing the closed session discussion, Rodriguez, Mayor Lawrence Dale and other members of the council declined to comment about what happened in the meeting. Council member Joe Gomez, who cast the lone dissenting vote against the leave, said that he’s pleased with the city manager’s performance. “I am very saddened and disappointed by what transpired today,” he said. Gomez declined to discuss Rodriguez’s situation in detail, but alluded to disagreements between the city manager and the City Council. “This city is a general law city run by the city manager. We are not a charter law city run by the mayor,” Gomez said. Former city council member Helen Runyon said she’s angry with the decision to place Rodriguez on administrative leave and blamed the council for micromanaging city affairs. “It’s no secret what this is about; the mayor’s a control freak,” she said. Runyon, who lost a reelection bid in 2006, said that feels Dale and other council members play too strong a role in daily city affairs. Gloria Darling, who served alongside Runyon on the council until 2006, said she respects Rodriguez and thinks he is doing a good job for the city. “Hector is a city manager who won’t let the mayor run him. He runs the city well and is fair to the employees,” she said. Darling said that she thinks disagreements between the council are hurting Barstow’s prospects for economic development. “A mayor-run city is killing Barstow because nothing is happening here,” Darling said. She said she thinks that previous city councils had good working relationships with city managers, but thinks times have changed. Dale, who voted against appointing Rodriguez to the position in 2006, said that he and other council members respect the role of the city manager. Former council member Paul Luellig, who was recalled in 2006, also voted against Rodriguez. “I’m on enough committees and boards in this county that I don’t have time to micromanage the city manager. I don’t have time to do the city manager’s work,” Dale said. Dale said that he does not micromanage city employees. “Everybody and anybody can make accusations; they have to have foundation for those accusations, and its not just there,” Dale said. Rodriguez began working for the city in March 2006 as finance director. He was named interim city manager a month later after then-city manager Mike Stewart resigned. Rodriguez was permanently appointed to the post in July 2006. His salary is $147,000 per year plus benefits under an employment contract that expires in December 2008. Previously, Rodriguez was regional manger for MV Transportation in Los Angeles and was responsible for accounting functions for 23 divisions in six states. Rodriguez is the fifth city manager in about 10 years. For about seven years, Paul Warner worked as city manager and then retired in 2003. Both Robert Van Nort and subsequently Vijay Singhal filled in as interim city managers while the city continued its search. Mike Stewart started in February 2004 and stayed for a little over two years. Contact the writer: (760) 256-4126 or http://jason_smith@link.freedom.cpm Reader's comments

Just a couple of questions. How can a mayor and council members that are not qualified or have the degree to do the city managers job, do an evualation on city manger. Also how can they get a way with telling him how do do his job? Isn't he the one with all the degrees question - Nov 06, 2007 07:24:50 PM

For someone who says he is too busy being on committes to run the city he sure spends a lot of time at City Hall But then again he doesnt have to run the city he slid his best bud Mr Rector in to the City Manger job and he will just direct him of what of how and what he wants done with the City I think if you take a poll with the city employees you would find out they really respected Mr Rodriguez and felt they finally had a leader up there and not a follower of the council The people of Barstow should start inquiring and talking to the real people who know whats really going on up at city hall the city employees if you only knew - Nov 06, 2007 07:19:27 P

There are two things that are happening here. One, the Mayor is being blamed as he is thought to be overstepping his bounds. Two, there is indication of employee dislike of the City Manager. Either way, we will not know what the problem in for certain. It could be either of the above, a combination or something else. Joseph - Nov 06, 2007 05:42:12 PM

Update please what's going on? need info - Nov 06, 2007 04:54:4

Mr. Wood what is your beef with Scott? If you want things printed in the paper go there and have it done, you are a big baby, Scott this and Scott that, what is matter with you? I know other people who have their idea's printed maybe your's are from the space , have you thought of that For Mr. Wood - Nov 06, 2007 01:57:31

lr, You have no idea how much I have complained about the desert digrase editor. their solution? BANNED! BANNED FROM HAVING MY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PUBLISHED AND BANNED FROM THEIR "COMMUNITY FORUM!" i WISH YOU LUCK IN GETTING RID OF THIS SORRY RAG. LOL RICKY WOOD - Nov 06, 2007 01:25:57 PM

This town will never change. This town has always been run by personal egos. Most our council members have always been sheep following the shepard. Paul - Nov 06, 2007 06:56:59 AM

Now if we can get rid of the Desert Dispatch Editor things will really turn around all it takes is citizens complaing to his boss on how he uses the paper for his own agenda and how the paper has turned into a gossip magazine once they realize what he's doing his bags will be packed lr - Nov 06, 2007 06:50:45 AM

Another one bits the dust, do as I say, or else you are out , yes sir, Mr. Dale I sure do wish the rest of the city was run like a German think tank, yes, do sure Mr. Boss man, oh, I can that train a coming , right down the tracks, get out of his way, oh, look there is an Indian out the way, better get those dimes ready folks Mrs Germany - Nov 06, 2007 05:56:04 AM