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Atherton City Manager's Intentions Called into Question
Atherton, posted by Tim J., a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Apr 14, 2011 at 8:25 am

It's been just over three months since John Danielson took office as Interim City Manager.

Mr. Danielson was selected for the interim post because he said up front that he had no intention of taking the job on a permanent basis.

Mr. Danielson also assumed responsibility for helping the Council identify and select a suitable candidate for the permanent job.

In the three months since Danielson took office, there has been no apparent effort on his part to begin a recruitment for a new City Manager. Additionally, in a subtle indication of his intentions Mr. Danielson has dropped the preface "interim" from his description of his position with the Town.

Most recently, Mr. Danielson's has refused to honor the request of a former Atherton employee who successfully sued the Town for wrongful termination. This employee has demanded that a thorough investigation into corruption in the Atherton Police Department and the possibility that the Atherton Police Chief has conducted sham investigations as a way of concealing such corruption. (This is tantamount to obstruction of justice).

This raises an obvious question. Has Mr. Danielson changed his mind?

Has Mr. Danielson become more interested in continuing to occupy the corner office in Town hall (and the home on Watkins avenue that goes with the job) than he is in cleaning up the Police Department?

If so, this would not be the first time, an Atherton City Manager has put one's personal interests above the interests of the Town.

One only need to look at the Town's experience with Gruber, Protzman, Robinson and Freedman.

It is time for the City Council to show the City Manager who's boss. It is time for the City Council to send a signal to the Atherotn Police Department that the City Counci, not the Police Chief is in charge.

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Posted by Slacker, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Apr 14, 2011 at 8:58 am

Dear Tim J.:

You have connected the dots nicely. Danielson's refusal to ask the City Council for the funds needed to do a proper job of investigating our Police Department looks to be an act of self preservation.

ON one level I can't say I blame the guy. The PD has harassed a former newspaper reporter, town employee and prominent town resident in retaliation for questioning their conduct.

On another level, this is why he's getting paid the big bucks.


Posted by peter carpenter, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Apr 14, 2011 at 9:31 am
peter carpenter is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

The search for a permanent Town Manager is the responsibility of the Town Council not that of the Interim Town Manager.

The Police Chief reports to the Town Manager, not the Town Council.


Posted by WhoRUpeople, a resident of another community, on Apr 14, 2011 at 9:50 am

You are, of course, correct, Peter. But, heck, where is the fun in that when it leaves no room for conspiracy theories.


Posted by Slacker, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Apr 14, 2011 at 10:25 am

It isn't a conspiracy theory.

Danielson was hired to help recruit and select a new Town Manager. Selecting a new Town Manager was supposed to take only six months.

See the Almanac News article announcing his appointment.

Web Link

If you were getting over $300k per year plus the use of a town home, wouldn't you want to keep the job for as long as possible?


Posted by peter carpenter, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Apr 14, 2011 at 12:16 pm
peter carpenter is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

Slacker states:"If you were getting over $300k per year plus the use of a town home"

Your facts are consistently wrong - read the contract - he receives $15k/month which is $180k/year. Quit slacking on doing your homework.


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