Story posted Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Several Factors Led To Council Giving Bajor Axe
Off The Record By TODD WESSELL
A combination of factors---several brewing for months---is what led to the firing of Des Plaines City Manager Jason Bajor two weeks ago. When Bajor on Christmas Eve began to send out feelers about his willingness to resign in exchange for an attractive severance package, there were plenty of aldermen more than happy to take him up on his offer.
That's the assessment and understanding of several city officials we've talked with over the last few weeks following city council's decision to fire Bajor from his $138,000 job on Jan. 19. Between Jan. 1 and the 19th, a majority of aldermen seemed willing to give Bajor what he asked for then, we're told: the opportunity to resign in exchange for six months severance pay and six months health insurance payments. However, Bajor came back asking for more, which turned off council members to the point of saying bye-bye and here's six months pay and six months insurance. His contract required the city to pay him six months severance if he was let go, but nothing if he quit.
As relayed to us, the core of the problem with Bajor, a 10-year city employee, the last two as manager, was his management style. Simply put, he was too autocratic and distant, which drove a wedge between him and many of the city workers he relied on to carry out his orders. Along with that was the belief by many that he treated the city's eight aldermen differently. Some, he treated well giving them his time and complying with their requests. Others, he created a puzzling atmosphere of aloofness and even disdain, we're told, by failing to return phone calls and not complying with simple requests for basic information. When a high-paid employee does that to his boss, he's looking for trouble. With five of Des Plaines' eight aldermen he found it.
Hopefully, Acting City Manager Jason Slowinski, the city staff, and even aldermen---in particular those who supported Bajor to the end---have learned a valuable lesson. While tough times call for a leader with backbone, they also require someone who has the ability to empathize with those he leads. Make no mistake about it, we're all in the business of trying to make our community a better place to live and work, especially during these trying economic times. To do so, a little heart coupled with a professional business-like approach can go a long way.
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