Posted by Free Advice, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Mar 14, 2012 at 6:02 am

DellaSanta deserves the gratitude not only of the Council members but also of every resident in Town. She stepped up in big way.

Atherton's City Manager position should be an easy job, but it chews up experienced managers every couple of years. She appears capable of handling the routine matters. But, what happens when things become much more complex, such as in a natural disaster or the sudden departure of key personnel?

Elizabeth Lewis keyed on this issue at the last Special Council Meeting. She suggested the Town bring in an Interim Manager and was quickly shot down. There are many hired guns who could step in for a couple of months. The Council did just this after Gruber and Wilkerson resigned. They had someone selected in a matter of weeks. Why not now?

The Town's CEO departed suddenly and the Board of Directors (the Council) have placed the equivalent his Executive Assistant in charge of the Corporation. There are likely many EAs out there who can run the day to day affairs of a Corporation. But, placing them in the CEO role, even temporarily, is not widely seen. One could only imagine the shareholder lawsuits such a decision would invite.

Posted by Peter Carpenter, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Mar 14, 2012 at 8:19 am
Peter Carpenter is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

"DellaSanta deserves the gratitude not only of the Council members but also of every resident in Town. She stepped up in big way."

How true.

DellaSanta has the capable support of both Conners and Flint and I am comfortable with her remaining at the helm until a truly permanent Town Manager comes on board.