Tonya Graham
Wed 2/24/2021 12:58 AM
To:
Julie Akins
Mayor Akins,
The list of city accomplishments you read from during your State of the City address was quite extensive and reflected well on the good work being done by City staff. It seems that it would be good to publish that full list in some format and I'm wondering if you plan to put that out in any sort of formal statement. If not, I wonder if you would send it to me so that I can help spread the word. I think it's easy for folks to forget how hard staff has been working and the challenges that they have undergone in this past year of dealing with the pandemic and Almeda fire. I would like to see them get more public appreciation for their good work and that means getting the information out past the cadre of folks who watch our meetings.
All the best,
Tonya Graham
Ashland City Councilor
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Julie Akins
Wed 2/24/2021 12:47 PM
To:
Tonya Graham
I read it as part of the State of the City and since that was published, I had assumed it was in there.
Was it not?
If not, the list was provided by Adam. I can discuss it when he’s back from vacation.
Julie
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Tonya Graham
Wed 2/24/2021 3:12 PM
To:
Julie Akins
I didn't see the actual State of the City document in the agenda and if I recall, you weren't able to read the whole list because of time constraints. If you have the list you were using, it seems that that could be put out on social media. Coming from the mayor would be the most powerful way to communicate it, but councilors can help get it out too. Can you send that list over since Adam is on vacation?
Tonya Graham
Ashland City Councilor
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Julie Akins
Fri 2/26/2021 11:34 AM
To:
Tonya Graham
Tonya,
I'm not sure why this is coming up right now but it's not my impression staff needs a special notice of appreciation or support from the Mayor's office because I don't see them as embattled or lacking support.
I'm feeling as if they are generally well appreciated, compensated and cared for and I count myself among the group that has been and remains supportive. Of course we could get nothing done without them, as such staff has a great deal of authority.
I'm glad we have a staff of professionals. Few organizations can run on an all volunteer basis. Cities certainly could not.
However, as volunteers councilors devote hours to the cause and do our best to set reasonable policy, work through our disagreements and give voice as articulately as we can to the issues. I actually think volunteers like yourself and the rest of council deserve a little more recognition than you receive. Staff is often thanked at meetings, I rarely hear you thanked, although I make a point of doing so for the purpose of letting folks know that a lot of work goes behind the thoughts expressed by council at meetings. You especially have a strong work ethic and I try to acknowledge that.
If I wrote a letter, it'd say that.
So thank you. Thank you for looking out for staff and for all your hard work on behalf of the city.
Best,
Julie
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Tonya Graham
Mon 3/1/2021 4:21 PM
To:
Julie Akins
It's a simple question Mayor Akins. I'd like to see the list, so please send it along if you have it. If you no longer have it, I'll ask staff.
The City does far more than most people think it does, so I believe it's helpful to put information like this out to a broader audience than just those who watch our council meetings.
All the best,
Tonya Graham
Ashland City Councilor