Markeshia Ricks Photo
Sean Matteson with Newhallville Alder Dephine Clyburn after she and colleagues voted down his appointment.
Sean Matteson is staying in City Hall for now — and, Mayor Toni Harp said, hopefully for good.
Harp recently appointed Matteson, the former chief of staff for Harp’s predecessor, as her acting chief administrative officer (CAO), who oversees line departments like fire, police, and public works.
To become the permanent CAO, Matteson needs the confirmation approval of the Board of Alders. Last week, the alders voted to deny him that approval.
The charter allows Matteson to remain in the position for six months. Harp said during her latest appearance on WNHH FM’s “Mayor Monday” program that she intends to keep Matteson in that acting capacity for the full period, have him get fire and police overtime spending under control, then resubmit his name for alder approval. The two departments blew through 40 percent of their overtime budgets in the first two months of the fiscal year.
“I got the sense from the alders” that Matteson will get that second shot depending on how he fares with overtime, Harp said.
Harp was asked if last week’s vote will deny Matteson the authority he needs to take a tough stand with cops and firefighters on overitme costs.
“I have given him the authority,” she responded. Anyone who questions it “will have to deal with me.”
Not Bored Of EducationAlso on “Mayor Monday,” Harp field a question from listener Molly Wheeler about why she feels the mayor needs to sit on the Board of Education.
“It’s over half our budget,” Harp said of the schools. “It’s important for the mayor … to be part of observing what is going on.”
Harp responded that even in cities where the mayor doesn’t sit on the board, voters still hold the mayor accountable for the schools.
“If I’m going to be accountable, I need to be there.”
Click on the Facebook Live video for the full episode of “Mayor Monday” on WNHH FM.
This episode of “Mayor Monday” was made possible with the support of Gateway Community College and Berchem Moses P.C.
This shows a lack of leadership and lack of confidence in the BOE. Also since the education budget had a 20 million dollar deficit this clearly shows the Mayor was ultimately responsible. You can't have it both ways. If you are micro-managing then you cannot claim ignorance. You clearly are all about control and not about results.