unknown - this town cares about people who pick themselves up after being down. We don't have a lot of time for people who think that it is their 'right' to have a good job. Just because you have lived in Janesville all of your life, doesn't qualify you for a good paying job. America is the land of opportunity, and you go were the opportunities are. You didn't get screwed, you lost your job. Things are relative. People who live in New Orleans got screwed (by Mother Nature), people who lost their homes in Lake Delton area got screwed. People who no longer have a home in the Mole-Sadler area, got screwed. You don't hear them complaining. Get an education (start with grammer first), pick your self up, and hold your head up high and be glad you only lost your job, and not your dignity (however that is slipping quickly from your hands also).

SarahB - I agree with you. Some people waste their time stirring up trouble, some people use their time to discuss intelligently.

A couple of people who know Eric Levitt made comments here.

http://www.isedona.com/ThemedCommentDisp...

Sedona: I think you're a fake. I smell cheese ... that means you're one of us.

"What kind of idiot would choose Janesville over Sedona??"

How about somebody that wants to make more money? Yes, some people have ambition.

Thank you, Sedona. This would answer the question on many minds: "What kind of idiot would choose Janesville over Sedona??"

If this is the response the council gets on their fact finding (albeit enviable) trip, and they rescind the offer, I would say it's more than worth the cost. I don't want someone no one else wanted. It's all making sense.

Hey sedona poster...tell us about the stupid trolley car thingys that cost the city of Sedona about $8 for every tourist who rides a few blocks
(and $ millions total). No wonder you want to get rid of him.

That seems to be a glowing endorsement. Truth or bullshot? If the council chooses this guy, let's hope that it is the latter. Or better yet, let's hope that the council gets to talk to a good cross section of the population in Sedona and that the fact finding mission does not get the China treatment.

Greetings from Sedona. You won't hear anything bad about him from here. You know why? Cause we can't wait to get rid of him. He has been trying to find a job for 6 years. Many think he is corrupt or just plain stupid. Thanks for taking this one off our hands. Good luck. You are going to need it with this guy running the show.

When I first read this article and saw that they were interviewing two people - one from Sedona, AZ and one from Sparta, WI - AND that it "might" involve a visit by the council to the guy's hometown, I just knew they'd pick the guy from Sedona. Why choose Sparta when you can have a free vacation...sorry...free "business trip" to Sedona, AZ by picking the other guy?

If you don't like whats going on here then move to Sedona you will get a second chance. oh i hear the weather is great this time of year.

I still like the mayor idea, if all fails then we can punt!!!!!!!!!

unknown, you know, I'm sorry you are losing your job, but the city manager is not responsible for getting you a new one. Your problem is with your current employer. I suggest you complain to them about throwing you out in the cold.

Council President Amy Loasching is scheduled to appear on the Stan Milam Show at 11am Friday on WCLO to discuss this topic. Tune in or listen to the podcast on the Stan Milam Show page at
www.wclo.com. Podcast audio is available for each day's show later each afternoon.

Council President Amy Loasching is scheduled to appear on the Stan Milam Show at 11am on Friday to discuss this topic. Tune in or listen to the podcast on the Stan Milam Show page at
www.wclo.com. Podcast audio is available for each day's show later each afternoon.

Then someone tell my why i have to lose my job an my home an be forced to work in another city I lived here all my life an now i have to give that up thats not righ plkus i have a family to support an by the way im not a gm employee like some people in here have sugested I worked at Lear till second shift was eliminated whrere was the union then an why didnt the city try to stop this from hapening.And myself and my fellow workers got no benits or a fancy buy out.I just want to know why no one in ths town gives a dam

ekim, maybe to get away from the huge debt the city has.
http://www.isedona.com/ThemedArticleDisp...

Why on earth would one want to leave Sedona for Janesville? Ughhh!

Is his interview available to listen to on-line anywhere?

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/metro/247036...
*
And Sedona is getting 11 new round-abouts! He definitely knows the magic words!

*for the grammar police, I meant "knew" not "new".

Read this...who new there could be so much drama over street lights? At least he seems to be pro-pedestrian safety.
*
http://www.isedona.com/ThemedArticleDisp...
*
"Mr. Levitt said he spent a sleepless night Feb. 11 because some people believed they had consensus and that the council couldn't "go against the report." He wrote the email so his dissent wouldn't surprise anyone when the report went before the council, he said Wednesday."

I say get this guy on the job as quickly as possible. Anyone who can keep Wal-Mart (and similar "foreign-made-crap" stores) out of a community is just fine with me.

Zoom - when someone is interviewed for a job, they should have demonstrated experience handling the challenges and goals of the job, and yes at a smaller scale usually. The Sedona candidate has not demonstrated success 1) handling losing the city's largest manufacturing employer, 2) then all the suppliers, 3) revitalizing a declining downtown 4) maximizing Wisconsin state goverment funding 5)supporting a lower income area in the middle of town 6) working with a unionized manufacturing base 7) leveraging the attraction of a regional airport 8) dealing with declining property tax revenue 9) dealing with Wisconsin legislation and laws

There are dozens of talented city managers in the midwest that would go to Janesville for the upper end pay range for cities of Janesville size - $140k, and get us at least 50% of these.

Seriously, if you use Firefox the spell checker is built in and it underlines a questionable word. Errors are bound to occur for anyone (all you have to do is read the paper), but it would help some posters (like me) more clearer.;-)

Is "ability" a "big word"?

Unknown - I hope your resume looks better than your posts. I don't think anybody can respond to you, because they can't understand what the heck you are saying. You are better off writing in Chinese, because at least somebody will be able to interpret it.

This is not meant to be a slam against you, but take a little time and preview your post first. It might make for better discussions.

I'm usually not the spelling police, but how many times can someone mispell "and", and still be taken seriously?

Ok Janesvillean you tell me why i have to lose my home cause of this an what do you think will happan to every other woker who is about to lose there jobs an there homes what are we sapose to do leave this town cause you say so who you think you are.Im not thinkinking about me i have another job in Waunakee that cost me $60 a week to goe back an forth every week.Im thinking about my friends am family who have to deel with this its not about me but others in this comunity.Reality is no on knows whats gonna happen when GM closes all I know is this if we dont talk about this now with 15 months till GM closes i just want to know how the city of Janesville an who ever the new manager will be intends to deal whit this 15months that the time left from now An im not thinking of my self but of my friends my neighbors.An i resent Janesvillean comments or anone who thinks i not thinking of me but of my friens family an people i work with cause i worry what will happen to them when they lose there jobs.An by the way i would like to know where my union reps were when i lost my job that the only thing i have a complaint.

Is it necassary and Legal to send all 7 to AZ? Who will handle council business while they are gone? What is the total cost of this trip
transportation,food,hotel,car rental,entertainment? i think these need to be adressed before they plan such a nice VACATION for the 7 council members.

"From visiting Sedona, I can't think of many towns more different than Janesville. It's 2 hours north of Phoenix in the middle of nowhere with one county highway running through the middle. There are resorts, bed and breakfasts, many arts & crafts stores and events. The big draw to the area are red rocks. Large beautiful red rock formations are everywhere, not much else other than high desert."

Sounds like Sedona might be a nice place to live, but a boring place to manage. I think it's very positive that a candidate would want the challenge of managing a city like Janesville.

The best candidates are often those who are "moving up", and are ready for their next challenge. That usually means hiring a someone from a smaller town, or hiring from within. I would question a manager from a town the same size or larger than Janesville wanting to be the City Manager here. The abaility to adapt and work well with people is more important than the town they came from.

I also don't question the trip to Sedona, to talk face to face with people Mr. Levitt has worked with and for. The Council isn't going to be spending a week in Hawaii folks, it's two days in Arizona.

Good call, Janesvillemom. Hopefully they share that "vision" before the next elections.
+
I really hope that the council isn't banking on Janesville becoming a tourist town. It's ridiculous on a variety of levels. If tourism is what they hope to attract, they're going to have to do a lot more than build a ridiculous Children's Museum.
++

Here are some stories about budgets in Sedona, Arizona. Where they get their money and where it goes. Its my understanding they don't have property taxes there.

http://www.sedona.biz/sedonas-perfect-bu...

http://sedona.biz/sedonacity8407.htm

http://www.isedona.com/ThemedArticleDisp...

You all need to accept the fact that "GM is GONE!!!" Time for Janesville to continue looking outside the manufacturing sector for security. Janesville could become one of the nicest bedroom communities in the area in the next 5 to 10 years. The sooner GM gets profitable by closing plants and making the necessary cuts, the more secure their retirees will be with their pensions. Unfortunately, Janesville lost its GM plant. Bad for Janesville, butgood for the American economy if GM can get back on its feet. GM has held this town in bondage for years. It's time for new blood with fresh ideas. I think the Council might know this and that is why a guy from Sedona is appealing.

Why do the GM people feel it is the city, county or states job to get GM back (unknown). Should'nt your union be working on it?

Sedona doesn't even have a Wal-Mart!

Who wants to live in a tourist trap? I think the city council needs to share their vision for the city with the rest of us.

I have been to Sedona. Definately a different kind of city. It is a tourist city. However, the cost of living there is pretty high since there are many million dollar homes of individuals that use them as either vacation homes or that work in nearby Flagstaff. The tax base is a lot different than Janesville. It will be interesting to see what he does when he has to stick to a hard budget since Janesville isn't rampant with millions dollar homes and it is not collecting a lot of sales and tourist taxes.

Ihave spent time in Sedona on business. Its a nice quaint, touristy town-a lot of people winter in Sedona. Just about the polar opposite of Janesville.

I agree fully with Raystone that the council is taking a boondoogle to Sedona. "“But there will be an offer to hire unless we find something on the site visit that is opposite to something he’s already expressed to"....when the council visitis Sedona, sits and watchs a meteor shower, enjoys the fine food and drink, the pleseant fall climate, and then realizes the council members actually have to leave---they will ask themselves "why move to Janesville"?

It is important that city council reps visit Sedona to get a feel for this guy's work. You need to talk to "the person on the street", the taxpayer to get an idea about him. You can embellish a resume and if people want to get rid of you, they will give you some pretty nice references to ensure your departure. Do I think the entire council needs to go??? Absolutely NOT!

I agree with "warfdude". With today's technology and the ability to do a powerpoint presentation, you only need maybe 3 reps to go, and NO spouse or significant other. We have to be very careful on how we spend taxpayer money. Any more than 3 reps would be just more wasteful spending on the councils part.

On a side note: "Unknown", unless miracles happen and the recent presentation to GM keeps the plant open, you better change your 15 month prediction to less than 5 months. As much as I would like to see all those employees keep their jobs as long as possible, I don't foresee any more work past the Christmas holidays, as sad as that is.

It makes Lake Geneva look like downtown Fulton, no disrespect to Fulton intended.

From visiting Sedona, I can't think of many towns more different than Janesville. It's 2 hours north of Phoenix in the middle of nowhere with one county highway running through the middle. There are resorts, bed and breakfasts, many arts & crafts stores and events. The big draw to the area are red rocks. Large beautiful red rock formations are everywhere, not much else other than high desert. Spiritualists claim there are special energy vortexs around some of these formations.
Yes, it's a boondoggle trip, but the council members don't get paid for their job, right ?

Whats the air fare to there and back, times 7? Will spouses and girlfriends of council members be tagging along?
-
toehead, what does their downtown look like? Like Lake Geneva or the Dells? T-shirt shops and souvenirs?

You people need to relax. Picking the city Manager is a huge responsibility and every stone needs to be turned over.

One week we are all over Amy for her misque on Steve's employment contract awarding him $9424, the next week we are bashing her for wanting to verify this candidates work.

The visit is only to see his work he has completed. The last time a city manager needed to be picked was 21 years ago. Maybe we will be fortunate to get that type of candidate again.

One business trip every 21 years is not wasting tax payers money.

Amy, and team, go freely with most of our support. Just make sure to make the right decision on the manager.

Personsally I think they should be trying to hire from within their home state. However, if you are hiring a city manager then you would like to see his works first hand. The thing about a city manager's position is that you can visit a city and get a feel for what they have accomplished. It would not be necessary for the whole council to go... in this day and age of digital everything, a few council members could make the trip and do a formal multimedia presenation briefing when they returned. I do think that the Janesville Gazette should be part of this contingency that will be making the trip.

The median age of Janesville residents is 35. Sedona, Arizona's is 50. Sedona has a population of between 10,000 and 11,000 residents, depending on the time of the year. But they average anywhere from 2 to 4 million tourists per year.
--

Does the Janesville council have a vision of our town becoming a tourist destination? Prefering to get them downtown? Tourism jobs don't pay much and offer little benefits.

I've been to Sedona, its a really nice place for a vacation. Wouldn't be cheaper to bring him here.

It is extremely irresponsible for them to be making this trip. When I was hired by the company I work for a company known nationwide, a pretty big one. NO one from the interviewing team visited my home town or former employer. What a waste of tax payer money. IF they have questions. Pick up the phone.

Please don't tell me the entire city council is going. I try so hard not to be negative when posting comments but this would be a hard one to turn my back on.

Of course they are going to pick the guy from Sedona. A free trip to Arizona sweet deal.

Visiting his hometown seems like a bit of a boondoggle. Is it necessary? What will it prove or disprove?

unknown, nobody owes you a job. Certainly not the day that GM closes.

Who ever is selected rember this we have 15 moths to figure out where jobs are going to come from when GM closes in 2010 that needs to to be handled an now a the city coucil needs to stop screwing around we dont have time for this jobs in Janesville should be a priorty with out the jobs Jaesvillle residents wot have jobs which will hurt the ecoomy here i the long run so i hope this is being handle in a serious a manner.

Tourism, bankrupt parks, lobbyists and earmarks? THIS is the guy they pick? Is "downtown" a magic word with this city council?

"While in Sedona, Levitt said he and the city council for the first time worked with the chamber of commerce and businesses to market tourism, the city's major industry.

He also developed a plan to pump almost $6 million of public and private money into the downtown.

When a cultural park went bankrupt, he convinced the state to allow the city to not pay back a $600,000 grant with the condition that the city spend $600,000 on two different city projects. That was the first time such a solution had been brokered between a city and the state, he said. And he said he hired a lobbyist that so far has resulted in four federal earmarks.

my dad works for the city, can i go too?