Tucson City Manager Mike Letcher resigns

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Rob O'Dell and the editors of the Arizona Daily Star finally got what they wanted. Tucson City Manager Mike Letcher submitted his resignation letter today, effective August 31, 2012. Resignation letter (.pdf).

One year to the day after this editorial opinion in the Arizona Daily Star. Parkwise misdeeds merit strong, swift action. (August 31. 2011).

Letcher got "Brodeskeyed" a day later in this September 1 post. Josh Brodesky: Letcher fiddling with coffee mugs as city burns.

There are these recent reports by Rob O'Dell, Council to step up scrutiny of troubled ParkWise agency (September 6, 2011) and Slipshod files blunt Tucson's inquiry into Parkwise (August 30, 2011), and his earlier reports, Tucson's Parkwise problems rampant, audits say (August 26, 2011) and Inside job suspected in thefts at meters (June 24, 2011).

Done in by management of parking meter employees. Who'd a thunk it? (I don't know anything more about this story than what I have read in the Star, for what it's worth).

Mike Letcher may not remain on the job as long as his resignation letter indicated. Council to step up scrutiny of troubled ParkWise agency:

City Council members say the mismanagement and potential criminal conduct of Tucson's ParkWise parking authority demands an immediate and strong response, so they'll weigh in on the problems Wednesday in both closed and open session.

The council will discuss the management of ParkWise, including individual employees, and will review non-public records, talk about employee contracts and get legal advice in the executive session.

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Rumors have swirled around City Manager Mike Letcher since two council members called for his termination over ParkWise and other city management issues.

The way the discussion was listed on Wednesday's council agenda does not appear to provide for taking immediate action against Letcher, but City Attorney Mike Rankin confirmed it could open the door for another meeting to do that, or give direction to Rankin to negotiate with Letcher over ending his contract.

Councilwoman Shirley Scott, who asked for the executive session, said she wants more information on ParkWise to figure out what happened there.

"It gives the council the opportunity to hear any and all detail regarding what's going on at ParkWise," Scott said. "We need to have the facts."

Councilman Paul Cunningham, who has suggested Letcher's job is in jeopardy over the ParkWise problems, said he felt the misdeeds at ParkWise rose to the level of not just personnel issues but potential criminal action.

"That's how serious this situation is to me," he said.

Even Letcher's most staunch backers on the council, Councilwomen Regina Romero and Karin Uhlich, have indicated an elevated level of concern recently.

So now the City of Tucson, once again, must begin a search for a new city manager. Who in their right mind would want this thankless job? And will anyone ever be good enough for the know-it-alls at the Arizona Daily Star who want to run this city? Unlikely. Since they seem to have all the answers, maybe one of them should step forward and apply for the city manager position.

UPDATE: Somebody at the Arizona Daily Star really has a jones on for Mike Letcher. It's just a little too personal, as if someone wants to get even. Star editorial: Lame-duck Letcher should leave his post now.