DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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06-06-14 05:51 AM - Post#168962
We do not hear a lot about the city manager, but my recent experience with the water department has left a rather distasteful afterglow regarding the effectiveness of his leadership. Anyone else have an opinion of the guy that really runs the city?
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1551
Reg: 09-07-03
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06-06-14 05:46 PM - Post#168987
In response to DrivinTooFast
Manager Vargas is outstanding and has a very good reputation in this region. His leadership reflects a good practice of hiring competent staff and letting them take good care of their sphere of city affairs. The fact that a citizen doesn't agree with him on city regulations or policy is a meaningless point of reference. He manages for the good of the city as a whole and not the loudest voices asking for preferential treatment.
(You asked.  )
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Allensince1993
enthusiast
Posts: 521
Reg: 06-06-12
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06-07-14 09:33 AM - Post#168996
In response to DrivinTooFast
He has a good secretary in Shelley George.
I have no complaints on the city side. We've grown leaps and bounds and every step of the way we've managed the growth well. It all starts with Mr. Vargas and that's one of the best hires we ever made.
James DeLaGarza
Realtor/Broker since 1992 |
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2844
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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06-09-14 01:12 PM - Post#169045
In response to DrivinTooFast
I recall being amazed and delighted when someone with Mr. Vargas' experience accepted the job of City Manager in Allen. Former Executive Director of Trinity River Project for Dallas, former City Manager for Laredo, Texas, etc.
In his time in Allen I think he has done an excellent job. He is low key which might make it easy to underestimate him if one is not paying attention.
(As an aside, I note an almost universal phenomenon of the Mayor getting the face time for cities and the Superintendent for the schools.)
Could I say I have never had a difference of opinion with a City action? Of course not. Would be shocking if anyone could. Would I like to see the streets fixed in the CBD? Sure. But there is no argument that the City has prospered on his watch.
Parks and facilities are well maintained (the ones I visit, anyway). Lots of great programs at Natatorium, library, etc.
Infrastructure is keeping pace with development. You can't just credit general prosperity with that, either. Ask Frisco and Flower Mound who have had to declare moratoriums on development at various points to allow infrastructure to catch up. The US 75 commercial corridor is developing in a way measured to maximize value. I expect 121 will go the same way over time. I would like to see more big employers here - I think they will follow the amenities and schools and shopping, though, and there is room for them on 121.
If you measure all that against the allegation of inefficient handling of an admitted violation of the watering ordinance, I still think the scale tilts overwhelmingly in Mr. Vargas' favor. He is doing a terrific job.
And I sincerely do wish DTF the very best in his case. I think one really good thing that has come out of all of this (sadly at DTF's expense) is heightened awareness of things that can be done to recycle rainwater for irrigation. Will be talking to DH about that for sure.
| Raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip are the reason I have trust issues. |
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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06-12-14 04:36 AM - Post#169094
In response to vrs
That's kind of why I asked the question. I do not want my Myopic view of city efficiency and bureaucracy to cloud what might otherwise be an outstanding career. Unfortunately, my personal situation makes it difficult to raise the cheer leading flag too high, but I am glad others have more positive feelings.
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