But I saw this story on our local news yesterday, and read about it again here, regarding the new communications director/spokesman that the Harrisburg Mayor recently hired. The mayor's long-time communications director, Randy King, left in February to take a job for a government relations firm; a walk in the park job compared to the long hours and stress that came with having to communicate and defend a large number of complex city issues. Mr. King had worked for the mayor for 22 years.
For those of you who live here, you know that being this mayor's communications director/spokesman is no easy task. The mayor is often embroiled in some type of debate or scandal or power struggle; he's on the news almost every day talking about the city's budget or the proposed location for the new federal building or to say how the city is going to help displaced families from a fire. From a communications standpoint, he's a loose cannon.
So, back to this story. The mayor announces this week that he has hired Mr. King's replacement. According to our local paper, he hired "a 2006 graduate...with bachelor's degrees in political science and history. He had been a collateral analyst for Commerce Bank, and was previously a pharmaceutical technician and billing and account specialist. He loaded up on writing courses at college."
Does anyone else think it is strange, mind-boggling, crazy, and perplexing that this mayor, who would be a huge challenge to represent for any seasoned communications director, hired a wet behind the ears kid who has no communications experience at all??!!! Heck, the ink is barely dry on his diploma.
I just don't get it. Something isn't right. Something just doesn't make sense.
The only two logical answers I can think of (and I use the word 'logical' very loosely) is that we've got some type of nepotism going on here or the mayor is being blackmailed by someone who threatened to buy his Billy the Kid belt buckle if he didn't hire his nephew or son or grandson.
There really is no other explanation. Is there?
I'm waiting for all the newspaper columnists to jump on this like white on rice and to launch a full investigation, like they often do on such weighty issues around the city. But so far there has just been silence or at least just the rustle of a tumbleweed rolling down Market Street. (If you follow the mayor at all, you understand all my western references).
Maybe its some type of vast city government/media conspiracy. Maybe this kid is some kind of idiot savant communications director. Maybe it's the mayor's latest effort to cut his budget.
For the love of Pete, I just don't know and it is making me CRAZY!
You know what they say, 'if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...'
I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming
Posts
2 comments:
You crack me up!
No answers to your questions but I love the fact that you ask. You may be on to something...:)
I also empathise. There are and have been issues that boggle my mind and while I am wracking my brain over it I know that it is likely that no one else cares. Typically I chalk it up to my overanalytical side.
Hmmmmm.... this sounds like a plot for a good suspense novel....maybe the mayor is really CIA and he had to bring the new guy in because he is a special forces agent who just happens to be Annie Oakley's great, great, great grandson.
Or something like that.
Post a Comment