The issue of transparency in government has come to the forefront in Maplewood, as the city’s process for hiring a new city manager has been shrouded in secrecy. Despite multiple attempts to reach out to city officials, including the mayor and all six city council members, there has been a noticeable lack of response.
The hiring of Michael Reese as the new city manager in the summer of 2021, after a 20-month search, was followed by his sudden resignation just two months ago. This has led to questions about the city’s decision-making process and its lack of transparency in the matter.
Notably, an interview with potential candidate Amber Withycombe, who is connected to the mayor and has donated to her campaign, required attendees to sign a nondisclosure agreement. This level of secrecy has raised concerns about the city’s commitment to open and transparent governance.
With no public discussion about the hiring process at the recent city council meeting, it remains unclear how Maplewood intends to address the vacancy in this critical position. The lack of information has led to frustration among residents and a growing demand for accountability from city officials.
As the community eagerly awaits the next city council meeting on December 12th, it is hoped that Maplewood will take steps to address the concerns surrounding its hiring process and uphold the principles of transparency and good governance.
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