Update: The Miami Herald just posted this story: North Miami manager to head Miami Gardens Police Department.
I just received a tip that North Miami City Manager Stephen Johnson resigned his post to take a position as Chief of Police in Miami Gardens. That’s all the information I received at the moment, but I’ll be on top of this breaking news and report back with any updates.
Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”
The very first thing a new, honest, qualified City Manager should do is to ask the city council, if he/her can’t make the decision independently, to request an independent forensic audit of the city’s finances for the past two years. We know that Carol Keys and Scott Galvin would vote for this in a heartbeat. There is even the strong possibility that Councilman Phillip Bien-Aime would also vote for this. The tax payers of the city are entitled to know where their money is going. What are the odds of ever getting a new City Manage with the guts to request this? Zero!
You do realize that there’s a very good chance that your new CM will be Leslie Prudent. Good luck with that. You just might end up wishing that Johnson would have stayed.
Stephanie – can you say more about that?
No. That’s all I heard so far.
Gwen Boyd and (hold onto your pants) Andre Pierre are also being rumored.
Can hardly wait to get to the bottom of this nugget! If you can’t stand the heat get the hell out of City Hall. Steve knows where all the bodies are buried. Has orchestrated a lot of things, covered up a lot of things, made up stuff to cover the asses of past and present officials etc, ad nauseam! The usual progression for the City Managers job is, the current Chief of police becomes the CM, sometimes they will hold both positions while a “qualified” new CM can be found. Usually friends or family of the Mayor or some council members. 2cd in command becomes Chief unless of course they want more friends or family for the post. For the love of all things holy can we, the citizens of North Miami no longer be held hostage by the criminals in City Hall. No one there is ever held accountable for the corruption that is so rampant in our city. It’s maddening!
I think Mr. Johnson did a good job. I am tired of the undeserved negativity and bashing that goes on in our city.
We have to remember who his bosses are.
The NM Police Department is considered to be one of the best in South Florida. We have very serious crime issues that are being handled well.
Our City Council barely functions. Mayor Lucie is just loco. Marie Steril is not much better.
I also am not a fan of Scott Galvin. He seems more concerned about seeing his name in the paper or irritating the mayors (except Kevin Burns) than being constructive.
Johnson also has to deal with our city’s 1,200 pound gorilla; Biscayne Landing. That is not easy.
I wish Mr. Johnson all the best in Miami Gardens. They are gaining a dedicated professional.
I’m so glad you posted this comment. Stephen Johnson never got a break from the beginning. Andre promoted him from Chief to CM for the sole purpose of using Johnson as his own personal security/yes man. Everyone thinks that City Managers have full reign when it comes to running the show, but under a Council/Manager charter, the CM has to answer to not one, but several, bosses. If you think that’s an easy job, think again. It’s hard enough pleasing one boss, just imagine trying to keep five to seven individuals happy, especially when each one has an agenda that usually conflicts with those of any number of colleagues. At any moment a City Manager can find himself unemployed if he can’t figure out a way to juggle all the demands.
I’m not saying that Stephen Johnson was perfect. I’ve criticized him myself on this website. But, once he was out from Andre’s thumb, Johnson seemed to do a much better job. This was despite the fact that his true calling is obviously law enforcement, not managing a city. I h ave to give him credit for lasting as long as he did. I’m sure he’ll be much happier, and more effective, running a police department, so he probably made the right decision. I wish him much luck.
You make a great point. Managers can be fired at whim, yet in some cities they are in at the same time still (apparently) in charge… but… really they are not. Makes for major lack of transparency — say for instance a manager who has hire/fire power for, say, a Police Chief or some other hiring wherein the council is not officially permitted to have a say… yet perhaps that mayor/council – who holds the keys to the manager’s job — has a strong POV about hiring… what is said manager to do? Who is REALLY in charge?
It is indeed something that should be talked about more. Otherwise, how can governing be actual governing? Can easily morph into “man behind curtain” running of the ship… and no transparency. If anyone knows how to fix this, or better models for city govt (that somehow keeps everyone accountable)… please chime in…
I say the best way is to stand up for what is right, refuse to be manipulated, stop worrying about your job (and in Johnson’s case pay raise and huge salary/benefit) and be the change you want to see… or I am living in a dream as this is city politics….
With all great respect, I think you got your head in the sand with North Miami Crime. It’s just not reported. This is something else that needs to become more transparent. They should have to report every crime they can (that is not under investigation) such as breakins on east side including keystone and sexual assaults (that were up last year not down.) Also, with the early retirement, if its passed – not only will it be hard financially but what will it do to the already small patrol. Do you realize how many supervisors to patrol there are now and how few cars are on the road? I’ll let the rest of your comment stand as we are on the same side of fence – but when you say he had to deal with Biscayne Landing – do you realize it was HIM who neglected to tell anyone about the contaminated soil? He should have been let go then… And he is smart to be getting out now as the finances are a mess in NM (and how did that happen?) and better to get out before the ship sinks… Just sayin’
And for other breaking news, one of the many items on tonight’s Agenda, the sale of Biscayne Landing. And the beat goes on…
What manager is going to oversee renegotiating that contract? And also over 2.2 million dollars in expenditures are also on Agenda? Not to mention the early retirement and its impact… Johnson was smart to get out indeed… And yes to above poster, independent financial audit…please bring it on. And details, please…
http://northmiamifl.gov/government/Minutes_Agendas/AgendaPacket.aspx?id=1379
And as if agenda wasn’t packed enough, more news: MOCA goes on offensive… now who wants the City Manager job? !
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/08/4046868/in-spat-with-north-miami-moca.html
Steph, saw your good comment on MH site regarding this. Actually, most of it is out in the open and that which is not many folks in the art and community know about. It’s been talked about for months. I can’t say I even disagree “fully” with it or the decision of some of the board members to take collection — NM has let that place rot (or grow cobwebs or not be all it can be) and like many things City Hall is reactive and not proactive. Whether this warning sign causes them to get their stuff together, we will see. And NM has had a plan to deal with the board’s decision – hence the agenda item tonite. Of course MOCA acted in this way to counter that. The previous MH article was pretty thorough, and you could read between the lines for more, or ask folks in the art community and they’ll know more.
The bigger takeaway is NM need PLANNING and future visioning – and people on board for same…
I just feel it would be a real shame for North Miami not to do everything possible to keep MOCA there. I also don’t see why it would be in the best interest of either Bass or MOCA to join forces, but especially for MOCA to be absorbed by Bass and lose its identity. MOCA serves a vital function in North Miami. Its “permanent art collection” is only a part of what the museum has to offer to the community, including special events, jazz programs, educational programs, etc. If the trustees want to remove the “permanent” art collection, it could and should be replaced by the works of local talent. I don’t understand why North Miami cannot simply keep the MOCA name and replace the “permanent” art collection with another “permanent” one. The word “permanent” obviously being relative and all…