Bishop’s City Administrator Jim Southworth apparently remains on a leave of absence. City officials continue to decline comment saying only that this is a “personnel matter”.
Last week, word leaked out that Southworth was released from employ, although Acting City Administrator Keith Caldwell called Southworth’s status a leave of absence. Caldwell had said that there were still some “unsettled matters” involving the Administrator, which the City Council would likely address in a special meeting soon.
This week, Caldwell said there was nothing to report and no City Council meeting set to discuss issues further. The City Council does meet Monday, August 8th. Caldwell said there might be more discussion then.
As for Southworth’s departure and possible selection of a new City Administrator for Bishop, Caldwell said he could not comment. “This is a personnel issue,” said Caldwell.
Southworth went to work as Bishop City Administrator less than a year ago after the departure of 30-year Administrator Rick Pucci – a tough act for Southworth to follow. Sierra Wave did place a call to Mr. Southworth. He communicated that he could not comment.
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CJ4- I still believe Mr, Caldwell over stepped his authority and should have had a public meeting before closing closing down the park.
J.H.,
I can understand that you did not “like” what he did it, but as to overstepping his authority, that is nonsense. Caldwell is the head of the department that oversees the park! It was well within his authority to close it in order to address some of the serious concerns brought to his attention by some of our local citizens.
The only thing that I did not like about the action was that it fed the negative perception that skateboarders are just a bunch of no-good bums, druggies, social misfits, or worse. Most skateboarders are great people; adults and youth who simply love skateboarding- which is one of the most popular and fastest growing sports in the country.
While I encourage you to never stop questioning authority, realize that at least in some cases, and this is one of them, a few “bad eggs” can ruin what is a good thing for many others. And sometimes someone in a position of authority has to step up to the plate to deal with it. Caldwell did that. He involved the skateboard community. Live with it…and keep on skateboarding!
the skateboard park is just a smoke screen
wait till the sheeple find out the real reason he is stepping down
Closed session…….
poor poor sheeple will never learn
Our governmnet is out of control AT ALL LEVELS
@ upthecreek.
Oh, do tell, what is the conspiracy?
Keith Caldwell is a perfectly fine city department administrator. The temporary closing of the skateboard park was a reasonable response to the problems reported there.We complain when our government officials don’t act, and then complain when they do. He really had little choice and acted accordingly.
Meetings with skaters quickly followed the closing of the skateboard park. Every report of these meetings were that they were well-received There always seem to be an individual or small group of disgruntled people who want to control the agenda and tell the rest of us what is “right” and what is “wrong”. We have enough arm-chair quarterbacks. What we need are responsible officials such as Caldwell who, when seeing a problem, responded and engaged the affected community of users for a swift resolution.
The closing focused the issue in a way that keeping it open would not have. And it was only a temporary closing. The skaters took responsibility, renewed their commitment to responsible use of the skate park, which is after all, a public-owned and supported facility. Certain behaviors and activities cannot and should never be tolerated in a public venue.
I would like to be the first to say I have no faith in Caldwell acting as city administrator. Closing the public skateboard park without public input is my reason why! I am amazed the parks and rec. administer has jumped to the city administer without even a reason why announced to the public .
It is called CLOSED session.. and they close it for a reason
Sounds like the city of Bell.. what are they hiding from the taxpayers?
Look out Bishop you know what they say about things” traveling down hill”
Mammoth is only 35 miles away.
j.h…. It seems the skatepark was closed for obvious reasons….loitering,drug dealing,harrassment,etc…You mention in another post of having good kids that stay out of trouble.Do you want your teen-agers around that kind of thing,and around that type of behavior? Not too long ago,I was in Bishop and stopped by the park,when the skatepark was still open…Overall,the park was a nice place to walk around….But that area reminded me of an inner-city hangout,with kids looking for trouble,and feeling they were running the show…able to do as they please.
like I said before
Look Out Bishop.
Watch those Tax dollars..