The city manager introduces himself

With new mayor and at least two seats turning over on City Council this December, incoming City Manager David E. Rager said that providing stability at City Hall -- and communicating that to the city's 6,000 employees -- is his first priority.

On his first day on the job last week, he sent this e-mail introducing himself to city employees:

From: Rager, David
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 3:47 PM
To: #CIN.City Mailing List
Subject: Fellow City Employees

Fellow Employees,

My name is David Rager and today I assumed the position of City Manager. Some of you know me, but for many of you I have not had the opportunity to meet. As you may have heard or read, I have spent nearly 30 years with the City organization and during that time I have had the good fortune to work with some of the most dedicated and competent employees performing all kinds of City services. As I assume the position of City Manager today, I am doing so with the knowledge that it is all of you who make this city great. It is my privilege to lead this city organization in partnership with all of you.

I say a partnership because it takes all of us to make this organization successful. When I think about the city organization I am always amazed at the scope and variety of services we provide. Many are services that immediately come to mind such as police, fire, and garbage collection. But today we, the City employees, will also provide dental services for residents, ceramic classes for senior citizens, and after school day care for children. We will see to it that the traffic lights work, safe drinking water is provided at every tap and the wastewater is collected and properly treated. And at dusk we will see to it that the street lights turn on. We are a big organization of 6,000 employees providing many services to the community and our successes are key to the City's success.

There are a number of uncertainties right now and that can be unsettling. However, what is certain is that we are here to be the most professional City employees we can be. I ask for your continued efforts to work together to be innovative and customer-focused. I will do my best to provide the leadership that you need to achieve these goals.

I have every confidence that we can meet the challenges before us and turn them into opportunities with hard work, creative problem-solving, and determination.

The City's ability to confront the realities we face and remain a positive, vibrant community is dependent, in large part, on our abilities to remain focused on delivering quality City services.

I look forward to working with you to make our City the very best it can be.

Thanks
David Rager

Rager also made a number of key personnel moves last week. Finance Director William E. Moller was elevated to acting assistant city manager, filling in for Deborah C. Holston, who is on medical leave. Assistant Finance Director Joseph W. Gray IV will fill in as finance director. And Paul E. Tomes, the chief engineer in the Department of Water Works, will take over as head of the utility for Rager.