As I stated in my first blog on the MLGMA web page, I am really looking forward to what other city managers are doing, what their thoughts are, and in what interesting and innovative ways they are attacking opportunities.
I would hope that we lay out the profession in a positive aspect, the way each and every one of us bring value to our organizations and communities. We do need to spread our reach so that others see that this is an honorable profession. Notice I did not say easy. If it were easy, anyone could do it. One of the best compliments I’ve heard about city managers is that when you are on your game, a city manager makes running the organization look easy and others (elected officials or citizens) start thinking they don’t need a city manager.
Take every day one day at a time, one council meeting at a time, and one budget at a time. I hope those in the profession keep working, looking forward, and making that positive impact on your communities and pass on the passion for what we do to someone in the next generation. As the faceless bureaucrat, I was pleasantly reminded as we had our Police/Fire Department awards banquet last night, that someone has to ensure the tax funds are spent wisely so that those on the front lines have the proper tools and training to perform at the highest level. And that someone is called a city manager.
Pete Auger, City Manager
City of Novi
Pete has been working in public service for the past twenty nine years including his service in the U.S. Army where he was a non-commissioned officer. Pete has sat on fourteen different boards, and has sat on or chaired many Michigan Local Government Management Association and Michigan Municipal League Committees. Pete served as MLGMA Board of Directors President in 2014.