Farewell
Smithfield Town Manager Randy R. Rossi has submitted his resignation to be effective in October.
Mr. Rossi has worked tirelessly over the last 16 years as the Finance Director and the Town Manager in 2017. Over the last 16 years, he worked to assist Smithfield in the strategic, operational and fiscal matters of the Town. Outside of business hours, he provided support to the various activities, events and organizations of Smithfield adults and children.
Mr. Rossi will succeed Ernie Almonte as the Executive Director of the RI League of Cities and Towns. We wish Randy the best of luck in this new career position and thank him for his service to Smithfield.
Search for a New Town Manager
Appointment
Thank you to the Town Council for appointing me as a member of the Town Manager's Search Committee. My participation in this committee will be in addition as my position as Vice Chair of the Budget and Financial Review Board. As throughout my public and private career, my effort for the important purpose of the SC will be to objectively and independently select the best individual for the Town of Smithfield.
How will this be accomplished? Over my 44+ years in my career and volunteer work, I have approached each daily task with an ethical and professional approach. Complete business and professional activities with the utmost of objectivity.
As a fiduciary of the Town of Smithfield. To act in all efforts and decisions as if it was my own funds or life. With the unwavering focus that it is in best interests of the citizens and businesses in Smithfield.
With all actions and decisions that could be shown on the front page of the Providence Journal with pride. I accept this responsibility with those attributes and character.
Process
Our governments are a representative democracy. For the people. Lady Justice, a moral force in judicial systems, is blindfolded. Political leaders must place their personal, professional and individual preferences after their own to fulfill their fiduciary oath.
The process cannot be constructed, adjusted or manipulated by party affiliation, personal preferences or friendships. Like Lady Justice, the decisions have to be blind. People may like or have a personal relationship with someone. However, those personal preferences need to take a "back seat" to focus on the objective of the undertaking ... in this case selecting and approving the best, most talented and highly skilled individual in the applicants pool.
Any decisions or actions that confine, limit or bind the process create a tainted situation, either in appearance or fact, or both. Obfuscating the ability of the best outcome. In this case, the selection of a less qualified person to lead this Town.
Selection Process
Process defines tasks. Tasks define the activities to assign effort and resources. Deadlines are assigned to tasks to estimate completion. Quality on the tasks completed ensure that the task has benchmarks for successful measurement of their outcome as well as the quality of the outcome itself.
Projects and undertakings that begin with a "rolling" task plan are never successful. These projects ultimately are managed on a day-to-day basis without any review of the quality of work completed. And is the work add value to the objective outcome of the project. Or will the project "carry on a life of its own" or, worse, be managed by subjective and inconsistent oversight/leadership.
Some Markers to Guide the Process
Open minds and empty preconceived decisions are needed. In fact, a necessity. Without boundaries, "fuzzy" or inconsistent processes as well as ethical lapses cause poor/decisions and potentially legal or business failures.
Guiding Principles and Conclusion
To help and suggest a starting point to a well conceived and objective process, it's great to have a solid foundation of ideas and thoughts.
A document has been assembled which compiles several objective advice and guidance from reliable sources in the governmental management space. The document provides several points to guide this important process to a successful, objective outcome. The successful appointment of a skilled, experienced professional to lead the Town.
If you wish to see the document, click this link ... TownManagerSelection_PlanningDocument.