MONROE - Monroe Common Council members appear to be split on the role Mayor Ron Marsh is taking in directing communication of city administrative staff.
At the Common Council meeting Wednesday, Schuringa criticized a communication process set up by Marsh throughout city departments.
Department heads have been directing questions to the Mayor's office.
Schuringa said he is experiencing an extended wait to receive a "simple answer."
"My concern is with the fact that I can't find out anything, and have to stand by and wait for an answer," Schuringa said.
Marsh would not comment on Schuringa's concern.
Schuringa also said he was upset because department heads receive wages between "$47,000 and the high $60,000s," and should be able to answer questions and not direct people with concerns to "wait for a certain person."
Some Council members said they do not have the same experiences as Schuringa.
"(Schuringa's comment) surprised me. I didn't know where he was coming from," Alderman Jan Lefevre said.
"I'm guessing he tries to get information from department heads, I don't know. But if he has a problem with the mayor, he should talk privately with him," she said.
Lefevre said her method of communicating with City Hall involves sending e-mails to the mayor and department heads. She asks Marsh to talk with the particular department head for information.
"And they get back to me," she said.
Mark Coplien also said he had no problems communicating with the Mayor.
"Within an hour I have a call back. I never had this (problem)," he said.
But other council members see the mayor's action as going too far.
Charles Koch said he hasn't had the same communication problem lately, because he has not talked to anyone.
"But my personal opinion is, we're the top of the chain," he said.
Council President Dan Henke said he understands Schuringa's problem.
"The mayor is trying to coordinate everything through his office," Henke said.
Schuringa said the council gave the mayor "the OK only to make everyday decisions."
Both Henke and Schuringa explained that council members appointed the mayor as the person department heads should go to for help with everyday decisions, but not that he should be directly involved with departments' work.
"The mayor took it a step further than we talked about at council," said Henke.
"The council is still law," Schuringa said in an interview Thursday. "The mayor was not given the authority to say everyone has to see him."
"I have constituents I answer to, who want answers, and I have to call and find out things. They and I shouldn't have to wait all day," Schuringa added.
Henke is hoping the situation with "resolve itself" with the hiring of a city administrator.
"The person we hire will answer to council and the mayor, as a whole. But the mayor doesn't have a vote, except in a tie," he said.
The administrator is expected to be hired by the Jan. 1.
"It's a new budget, a new year, a new administrator. We'll see," he said.
At the Common Council meeting Wednesday, Schuringa criticized a communication process set up by Marsh throughout city departments.
Department heads have been directing questions to the Mayor's office.
Schuringa said he is experiencing an extended wait to receive a "simple answer."
"My concern is with the fact that I can't find out anything, and have to stand by and wait for an answer," Schuringa said.
Marsh would not comment on Schuringa's concern.
Schuringa also said he was upset because department heads receive wages between "$47,000 and the high $60,000s," and should be able to answer questions and not direct people with concerns to "wait for a certain person."
Some Council members said they do not have the same experiences as Schuringa.
"(Schuringa's comment) surprised me. I didn't know where he was coming from," Alderman Jan Lefevre said.
"I'm guessing he tries to get information from department heads, I don't know. But if he has a problem with the mayor, he should talk privately with him," she said.
Lefevre said her method of communicating with City Hall involves sending e-mails to the mayor and department heads. She asks Marsh to talk with the particular department head for information.
"And they get back to me," she said.
Mark Coplien also said he had no problems communicating with the Mayor.
"Within an hour I have a call back. I never had this (problem)," he said.
But other council members see the mayor's action as going too far.
Charles Koch said he hasn't had the same communication problem lately, because he has not talked to anyone.
"But my personal opinion is, we're the top of the chain," he said.
Council President Dan Henke said he understands Schuringa's problem.
"The mayor is trying to coordinate everything through his office," Henke said.
Schuringa said the council gave the mayor "the OK only to make everyday decisions."
Both Henke and Schuringa explained that council members appointed the mayor as the person department heads should go to for help with everyday decisions, but not that he should be directly involved with departments' work.
"The mayor took it a step further than we talked about at council," said Henke.
"The council is still law," Schuringa said in an interview Thursday. "The mayor was not given the authority to say everyone has to see him."
"I have constituents I answer to, who want answers, and I have to call and find out things. They and I shouldn't have to wait all day," Schuringa added.
Henke is hoping the situation with "resolve itself" with the hiring of a city administrator.
"The person we hire will answer to council and the mayor, as a whole. But the mayor doesn't have a vote, except in a tie," he said.
The administrator is expected to be hired by the Jan. 1.
"It's a new budget, a new year, a new administrator. We'll see," he said.