By Jim Sack
As one local government official said, “there was conflict between Pat Roller and Greg Purcell and Tom (Henry) chose her.”
Greg Purcell is returning to Michigan to care for ailing family members. Maybe that is the case, but it sounds as lame a reason to leave the high-paying job as Mike Pence saying he prefers the life of a Congressman to that of a Senator. Something is not right.
Purcell, is seems, did speak truth to power, was critical of the way matters such as the casino issue and the I&M fight were handled and eventually lost favor with the mayor. You might remember the mayor said he was neutral on the issue of bringing a casino to Fort Wayne and then was seen lobbying hard in the legislature for just that outcome. In the matter of the I&M lease of City Light property the matter was and remains poorly explained to the public, has become entwined in legal machinations and has not been the win for the community and himself that the mayor expected.
So, it seems the mayor simply got tired of hearing Purcell disagree with him and he has turned to Pat Roller, the controller, to be the new deputy mayor. Apparently, he feels she is more in line with his feelings on matters. Sources say that Roller and Purcell have been at odds since Mr. Purcell arrived, both have been vying for the mayor’s ear and Mrs. Roller has finally bested Mr. Purcell.
You might remember Mrs. Roller’s planned an exodus from her post a year of so back. Apparently, that was part of the “me or him” fight inside the leadership council. She was retained and now Mr. Purcell is gone, well going. So, Mr. Purcell has been given a severance package of sorts, a three month transition. Perhaps he will be given a desk in a hallway next to Ms. Taviano and an assignment in an discipline in which he, too, has little background. That should ease the transition, that should make the mayor feel magnanimous, that should cost you, the taxpayer, less than a lawsuit.
So, out with the old in with the new and the city has a just minted face at number two. Mr. Purcell joins a growing list of people who have been jettisoned by the administration. Noticeably, Mrs. Roller was at council last night, hanging in the background in about the same seating row as Mr. Purcell use to occupy. Greg was not to be seen.
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If the mayor was smart (and he is not) he would can Pat, the lady that only knows to change numbers to make Tommy look good and herself. Two wrongs do not make a right. Thank god this mayor is only a one and done mayor. It will take 8 years to fix his 4 years.
have you tried contacting any of them? if there is that much distrust in the office perhaps someone would be willing to talk to the right person
Jim:
Amazing that no matter how much things may change, they still remain the same…
Had a feeling there was MORE to this story.
I got this in an email from a local government employee yesterday
Interestingly, just spoke with someone who observed Greg introduce the mayor last week at Rotary. My friend said that Mr. Purcell gave a rousing introduction, spoke very well and made cogent points. My friend then noted that the mayor followed and looked and sounded very weak in comparison.
Mayor Henry said that the city of Fort Wayne, IN could not afford $ 10,000 dollars for maintenace of the FWPD motorcycle fleet this year so the program had to be cancelled, but he has $ 30,000 to pay someone who is done, packed, and gone. The on standby by phone and internet is a lie. Mayor Tom, you are completely untrustworthy, unethical, and one and done.
Controller Roller is the essence of the term "self-satisfied", as well she should be. It is fact that those put in control of purse strings make lots and lots of money, so they shouldn't be tempted . . . .
It is time someone said it out loud: "Tom Henry is not the sharpest tool in the shed". Controller Roller is not dumb, but neither has she scruples. Mr. Purcell just couldn't take it anymore, and who, really, can blame him?
I personally don't begrudge him the three months' severance pay, I think he deserves it for being misled into thinking he was joining a real, functional, organization. Our mayor and his staff are a joke.
Let's now consider changing to a City Manager-Council arrangement. Although the idea of Tim Pape, Karen Goldner and Glynn Hines setting policy could be frightening.