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Missing city equipment

It looks like the restructuring of the Department of Neighborhoods has exposed some other issues.

A new manager, Michael Bombrys, was assigned to a division. He has uncovered issues such as missing equipment, poor inventory records, missing keys to the facility, seasonal employees being paid for hours not worked, etc.

There is a Blade article today, which also links a PDF copy of the memo that Mr. Bombrys sent to the Mayor's staff.

Article

Memo

It would appear that the new manager Michael Bombrys is on the ball and conscientious. Maybe we need more people like him working for the city.

(I have no connection to Mr. Bombrys - just impressed with the follow through he has apparently done since taking over in December.)

created by mom2 on Jan 13, 2012 at 12:32:51 pm     News     Comments: 18

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Comments ... #

A forklift is missing? Amazing. Toledo is just amazing.

posted by Star56 on Jan 13, 2012 at 12:54:33 pm     #  

I'm impressed too, mom2. Just imagine... if all city employees actually did their jobs as they are supposed to.

I really hope there is a viable alternative to Mike Bell next election.

posted by toledolen_ on Jan 13, 2012 at 01:31:21 pm     #  

<runs and throws tarps over the collection of puloined city vehicles in his yard>

posted by historymike on Jan 13, 2012 at 01:32:24 pm     #   8 people liked this

His January 11th memo states that this a list of concerns that he has discovered since his arrival on December 19th.

This guy was in charge for less than a month (over the holiday season no less) and he managed to investigate and document a substantial list of concerns.

So what the heck was the previous manager getting paid to do?

Hats off to Michael Bombrys. Hope the city finds more managers like you.

posted by mom2 on Jan 13, 2012 at 01:39:52 pm     #   1 person liked this

This guy was in charge for less than a month (over the holiday season no less) and he managed to investigate and document a substantial list of concerns.

Knowing this town, he'll be run out on a rail soon enough. He just peed into a whole lot of people's gravy trains.

posted by oldhometown on Jan 13, 2012 at 01:45:22 pm     #  

Interesting...I googled his name and found some old Blade articles about a TPD officer named Michael Bombrys.

Wonder if it is the same guy (not exactly a common name)? The officer in the article appeared to have some employment issues related to insulin-dependent diabetes.

Regardless, it would appear that he is making a diligent attempt to set things right in his department.

posted by mom2 on Jan 13, 2012 at 01:46:46 pm     #  

And OHT, I must confess that I also wondered if his attempts to clean up the department were going to backfire on him.

(Sad that a city employee might have to be concerned about doing the right thing.)

posted by mom2 on Jan 13, 2012 at 01:48:09 pm     #   2 people liked this

From the memo (emphasis added):

It was discovered that seasonal personnel, who arrived late, were not being docked for their tardiness (based on the number of minutes late). In hundreds of cases, seasonal personnel were arriving late to work but still receiving pay for 40 hours of work...I have also informed all employees and seasonal staff that they will have their pay docked, based on the number of minutes that they are late. They have since complied, but with much resistance.

WTF? A boss demanding you show up on time to your job and fulfilling all your hours is meeting "much resistance"? Resistance to what? I'd love to be a fly on the wall for those conversations:

"You're late--I'm docking your pay."

"You can't do that!"

"Yes I can, you're late. Show up to work on time and work your full shift"

"That's so unfair. I'm calling my rep!"

"OK, but you're still late...consistently...almost every day..."

"You're such a slavedriver and I don't have to stand for this!"

Toledo unemployment rate: 8.4%. Fire these twits and get people who would be grateful to have work and benefits.

posted by oldhometown on Jan 13, 2012 at 02:05:16 pm     #   9 people liked this

Honestly, I've never had an interaction with a city employee who was useful. I'm not exaggerating. They have all been rude on the phone, and totally useless in person. I hope Bombrys can turn things around but I have a sad feeling that The Blade will find some way to force him out, as they do with anybody other credible person who tries to turn things around.

posted by dell_diva on Jan 13, 2012 at 02:19:27 pm     #   1 person liked this

I'm not a Blade fan, but no one would even know their was an issue if not for them.

posted by SensorG on Jan 13, 2012 at 02:28:40 pm     #   2 people liked this

Employees offering "much resistance" to anything their boss requests should be fired. IMMEDIATELY.

posted by toledolen_ on Jan 13, 2012 at 02:36:44 pm     #   2 people liked this

Kudos to the Blade.

This story makes me wish I could work a city job and wear a wire ... then write an expose.

posted by viola on Jan 13, 2012 at 03:21:56 pm     #   1 person liked this

What a mess....well, for once bravo Blade for actually reporting news.

posted by OhioKimono on Jan 13, 2012 at 03:55:52 pm     #   1 person liked this

The first thing any new manager should do is take an equipment inventory. No way does the new guy want to take responsibilty for theft that happened on the previous manager's watch. Leaving gates unlocked or doors open is astonishing. Anybody checked Ebay or Craigs List for forklifts?

posted by holland on Jan 13, 2012 at 05:22:53 pm     #   3 people liked this

Toledo. Lucas County, Ohio, United States of America
Government will never operate as any normal, for profit business would/will. There is no incentive to do so. Voters do not hold government responsible. Elected government office holders do not hold government employees responsible partly because they are voters. In the end it is us, the governed voters who are responsible for this. I'm afraid we'll never learn, that the government that governs least governs best. So those looking for heads to roll and the responsible held accountable need only look in the mirror. To the employees of government, I don't know how you live with yourselves, but your day of reckoning hopefully comes soon.

posted by bphtol1 on Jan 13, 2012 at 06:35:18 pm     #   1 person liked this

There is a long line of Bombrys who have worked for Toledo Police Department. Their mother/grandmother lived next door to my folks for years. A very good family.

posted by jackie on Jan 13, 2012 at 08:40:40 pm     #  

That is exactly the problem. Unless a city employee takes the initative and watches over the equipment he/she is responsible for, it gets abused or worse, as in these cases.

I agree with the above posts. Throw these rejects out and hire people who respect having a job and take pride in it.

Bell should be all over the media screaming about this. Especially with the budget the way it is. Instead, it seems as though it's "politics as usual".

posted by hockeyfan on Jan 14, 2012 at 05:37:00 am     #   1 person liked this

I rather enjoyed reading about how Finkbeiner and Ford were critical of Mayor Bell's decision to terminate those two department heads.

It just reinforces that those two, who in their minds had things under control when they, clearly, did not have a clue.

And this nefarious activity is in just one department AND has been going on for years!

posted by BrianInFlorida on Jan 14, 2012 at 06:58:34 am     #  

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