On Frank Miller
Update: I want to clarify that while the below post offers my thoughts on Frank Miller and the comments Councilman Hall has made, it should be noted that Councilman Hall did not single out Miller, and indeed advocates the dismissal of any member of City staff, whether Miller, his subordinates, or superiors, whom was grossly negligent or deceitful regarding the airport affair.
At this past Thursday’s meeting of the Pensacola City Council, Councilman Sam Hall referred to mistakes made Airport director Frank Miller regarding the recent Airport land deal “gross negligence”. Prior to the meeting, Hall had called for the resignations or terminations of those involved. Friday, Hall stated that he stood by his statements and that he still believes that “resignations or terminations are in order.”
Are the circumstances by which the latter appraisals came to light suspect? Yep. Did Frank Miller and Airport staff screw up? You bet. Should Frank Miller have been more involved in the process? Most definitely.
Should Frank Miller lose his job? I don’t think so.
One terribly handled situation does not cancel out a career of excellence. Miller is a twenty-year employee of the City and has done an excellent job with the airport. Anyone who doubts the excellence of our airport should try flying out of Mobile sometime.
As there is no evidence at the moment that Miller is guilty of anything other than oversight, for which he has apologised. That being the case, calls for his head are premature.
Why are you assuming that only Frank Miller was the target of my remarks? He works for Robert Payne who works for Al Coby who works for Council.
Indeed, it may be that others are more at fault than Mr. Miller. Despite his qualifications as an airport director, there is no indication he has expertise in development agreements of this size. His chain-of-command should recognize this.
Much of this could have been avoided if “an” Owen Beitsch-type (CMP notable) had been brought in to review the agreement and then make recommendations. Just because someone is great at one thing does not make him good at all things. That is another Fallacy of Relevance called a “Glittering Generality”.
Councilman Hall: I am not assuming that and I apologise if I was unclear. While it was my impression all along that your remarks should be construed as directed at any City staff involved in the affair, I focused on Miller here because he was the focus of your comments at Council and I felt like defending him. For whatever reason, you chose to make the comments you did at Council toward Miller and not Payne or Coby, and as such, Miller has been interpreted as the focus of those remarks by the media in general, not just myself.
But just so we’re clear (and I’ll update the post to be clearer) it is my impression that you advocate the dismissal of any staff grossly negligent or deceitful in the affair.
Nobody but Mr. Miller was scolded publicly by Mr. Hall .
Frank Miller isn’t preparing and negotiating leases.
This city not only has a legal department but outside attorneys that work for the city.
Derek- bet you weren’t the only one who felt like defending Mr. Miller.