HomeMy WebLinkAboutFormer City Manager Dick Rozansky-1982/1993 Winter Springs government's
future may be decided privately
Is Winter Springs City Manager Dick Rozansky U 4 2-r
firmly entrenched in his job? Maybe not, accord-
ing to some city hall watchers, who say that a
combination of several factors indicates he might Jim .4, °f
' be nudging toward the exit door. Jennings
Among those factors is a city commission con-
sensus to evaluate privately, one on one, Ro-
zansky's job performance. - ,
Florida's Sunshine Law requires elected officials.
to conduct public business in the open. The trick
here is that, by meeting individually with the city ments. Could they be rewritten so that Rozansky
manager, commissioners stay within the law's no longer qualifies?That, according to one city of-
technical requirements. As long as two or more of ficial, is under consideration.
them do not meet together with Rozansky, the „
public can be shut out. I know that in the past there has been some
A spokesman for the state attorney general says concern that Mr. Rozansky hasn't assumed a lead-
such moves skirt the law's intent and that his of- ership role and hasn't always kept the commission
fice openly discourages them. fully imformed on issues," one Tuscawilla area
In the past, this annual review ritual has been resident said. I can't say whether the commission
conducted publicly. But this year Rozansky said is looking for a way to replace him. If it is, it
he did not want it that way and urged commis- seems a very expensive way to go about it.
sioners do it out of public sight. "Frankly, the job isn't worth that kind of money
Rozansky's protest raised a few public eye- in the first place. But I don't believe anyone on the
brows. Some residents questioned why he was re- commission knows what goes on around city hall
luctant to be reviewed openly because he is paid anyway."
with public funds. Those same residents are ask- Rozansky was hired in 1976 as city planner to
ing why commissioners would go along with the develop a comprehensive land-use plan. He was
request unless they have some not-too-kind words named city manager in 1979 at a salary of$16,000
for the city manager and would prefer that the annually.
public not be privy to them. During last year's performance evaluation, corn-
"What the council is telling me," one resident missioners agreed that Rozansky was doing well
says, "is that the city can take my tax money and in financial affairs and department management.
pay the city manager but that I don't have the But they noted that he was not getting the corn-
right to know what kind of job he is doing. Frank- mission information it requested, a complaint that
ly, that stinks." still exists.
Another commission move also bears watching. Rozansky, in his own city and others, is not
When the subject of Rozansky's $23,200-a-year viewed as one who takes charge of a situation.
salary came up during discussion of his evalua- That assessment is directly related to the tenure
tion, commissioners separated salary consider- of Troy Piland in the mayor's office.
ation from the review process. Piland, who left the job last year for an unsuc-
What made this move interesting is that instead cessful state legislative campaign, is a savvy poli-
of referring to Rozansky specifically, they tician who was able to guide and influence the
switched to a generic "position." Commissioner commission. This allowed Rozansky to devote his
Buck Adkins said the "position" should pay in the hours to the nuts and bolts of city operations.
$30,000-a-year range, an amount Commissioner Most of his dealings with commissioners were
Leanne Grove agreed with, about the "position." handled with Piland's help.
Mayor John Torcaso says the salary issue is part With Piland's departure, Rozansky was the logi-
of an overall attempt to upgrade the city's pay cal choice to step in and fill the void. But, says one
scale. A staff member says the council merely is key staff member, he has not done it. No one has
trying to boost the manager's salary to a level done it, the staff member adds.
where it would be more attractive to potential There are a lot of questions concerning what, if
applicants. any, direction Winter Springs' city government is
Raising the salary also would allow the commis- going to take. Whether they will be answered pub-
sion to take another look at the job's require- licly is a pretty good question of its own.
gives.Atiti $6,800 .pay Increase,
By John W.!4r 3—Br x9' Trencher. "My judgment'',has not
ortHE hem last year to thin I Per-
the manager an an
WINTER SPRINGS-A week after Mayor john
Mayor John V. Toion r and the similar
the cathig Vhby W3uW(prefer va review ar four city lee for Rota had the hi
the min lonersebagdU iv private, city words ofyraise for RosankPBt the hi-
commissioners pave given the city's monthly city .il.ikarittinn
adp
chid ad4eWeinglewmq marks In a meson.
pubes r'BPIaIA Commissioner Jim Ngrj ln,tem-
The etbt Tuesday also pored his preiaaby a g,ApRt In.von
voted\uan' to Increase City concerned that.the city nit_ �1ynd:h•.
Manager Richard]loaansky's annual you to the position of ongotng any
eaiary 6J'S*;it09 Tbe"' Tatee V ret- 'wand review of the city manager's
R o Ap V increase lob-performance hit
Commiast01111 ii'praise about Ro- men Hartman asked if a formal
sams�s pert -S ties°included is wAtten review was m he conducted.
the motion to wen.;his-wary. The'.,cWamiesioneere mid no. O bo okn,-
monaa writwands s tM:qty actor- a Periormante eat Sledt the re-
ney to'write a lsI f-:tor hits Orlando gatrements fora review:
SSW n diseeh za repmtsd cam•
mission diwap atop w th RO1I nthat -Earlier this month, Roransky plead-
Coaamiaploaira,wid a-colamn that ed with the comrhfsidon not to aglow
appea{ef 1p tbe; edition of the the procedure of earlier reviews.The
Seemminol LI ik entinel was. city manager raid he found being pup
e" filly graded on hie Perfo apes "de-
Commlielottst Leanne Grove said grading." Last year, tko epigadssion
she sensed at play'"a force, an entity gave Roaansky the equivalent of a"C-
that telrylikg to destroy the credibility plus."
of thislaisminithiar .Hartman was the only commission
The dray"dr Mid City commissioners member to criticise Roaansky. Echo-
pmies&ttie'tiftr tnager for doing"a. ing Na written resew Of the dty man-
good job"and meeting the demands of agar last year,be Stint Ro-
the job vm"rethet 1."' .. peaky is somettmea�gettina the
`I am in Mintethelit=that this pool- cornm4rilun infoum$tbn it reijuests.
lion Is worth in,the neighborhood of He said, however, that Ro'insky has
$3QdCo "aid Commkejoner Martin tteprWed in that area since last year
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Commissioners aren't satisfied
with Winter Springs city manager
By Elaine Bennett
OF THE SENTINEL STAFF
WINTER SPRINGS — City
commissioners warned City Man-
ager Dick Rpzansky Monday
night that they are not satisfied
with his Job performance.
easing discontent, commis-
sioners said Rozansky often is re-
luctant to answer_their questions
and that he frequently is unre-
sponsive to their requests for in-
formation. more information about several - the city's pension plan, compre-
"Unless things change," Corn- tasks, including an evaluation hensive land plan, a merit pay
mjssioner Don Jonas said, "some- form to appraise the city manse- system, proposed borrow pits, af-
thing has to be done."' erns performance. fordable housing, city park proj-
'RoFane�y., who became city Other information included a ects and changes to code enform
inatisier'Id 1979, said after the program to place the collection of ment regulations.
meeting that he fees for garbage and recycling Commissioner John Langellotti,
was shocked by pickup on the tax rolls and con- the only commissioner who didn't
the comments. ducting an audit of the fees col- express discontent at the meeting,
He wouldn't lected by Cablevision of Central said Tuesday that he too has had
discuss it fur- Florida for services provided in "to pressure and pressure" Ro-
§`;, then. the city. zanSky for information on various
The city Additional information, they programs.He said,though,that in
charter allows said, also hasn't been provided or most cases he relies on staff mem-
9 commissioners was delayed getting to them about bers for the information he needs.
4 to fire the city
'..t. manager if four
RQ of the five•com-
missioners.vote
to do so. It takes only three votes Walliallia
to hire a city manager. Thfinsibnldkatti
Commissioner Cindy Raehle[ Edgemon Avenue, North, 400
raised the subject of Rozansiry's Mork, 11:49 am.Jan:ae:A U.S.flag,a
performance," tti saying n o was tired POW-MIA flag,and the entrance and exit
of "not .4h getting the information I signs at a VFW lodge were stolen.
retitled without a fight" • Gretna Court, 700 block, 10:30
$ashler said commissioners am. Jan. 20. A tag was olden from a
have been waiting for several
weeks to at least two years for n i O . "1 .7 • Shepard �; 600 blpck. 4:37
�C OI / a.m. Jan. 20. A clubhouse wee broken
Into by thieves who pried open an office
door,then stole snacks end drinks from
two vending machines.
• Shetland Avenue, 900 block, 6:16
p.m.Jan.20.A bicy&a was stolen.
• U.S. Highway 17.92, North, 1700
block, 1:35 a.m. Jan. 20. A motorist
pumped $1653 worth of gas and left
Winter Springs may make it
By Elaine Bennett four commissioners agree to fire the city
manager.
OF THE esnnnn STAFF
To change the charter, the issue must
be placed on a referendum for voters to
WINTER SPRINGS — A city commis- decide. And, because there are no city
sioner wants to make it easier to fire the elections this year, the issue probably
city manager, and the issue could go be- won't be posed to voters until next year.
fore the voters next year. Donnelly raised the question just two
Commissioner Terri Donnelly directed weeks after commissioners warned City
the city's attorney Monday night to pre- Manager Dick Rozansky that they were
pare an ordinance that would allow corn- not satisfied with his job performance.
missioners to remove the city manager by They complained he often is reluctant to
a 3-2 vote. answer their questions and that he fie-
City charter currently requires that quently is unresponsive to their requests MANAGER from 1-1
and recycling pickup on the tax
easier to boot manager out rolls and conducting an audit of
the fees
Central l collected°for services pro-
vided of Central Florida for services pro
for information. Monday in Donne vide°to the city.
Monday night, Donnelly again dis- change. s proposed charter They also complained that infor-
cussed her discontent, saying she was "I don't have a problem with the con-, motion was not provided or was
concerned about the number of pending cept,"Koehler said. delayed getting to them about the
lawsuits that she said were "brought on Rozansky,who became city manager in city's pension plan, comprehen-
due to a lack of communication" 1979,would not discuss the comments be- sive plan,a merit pay system,pro-
Pit Yob delayed, 1-9 ing made about his job performance. posed borrow pits, affordable
Commissioners complained Feb. 24 housing, city park projects and
She also complained that many city they had waited for several weeks to at changes to code enforcement reg-
employees were 'living in mortal fear of least two years for more information on ulations.
losing their jobs"She did not elaborate. an evaluation form to appraise the city At Monday night's meeting, a
Commissioner Cindy Koehler, who manager's performance, a program to
workshop was scheduled for
raised the subject of Rozansky's perfor- place the collection of fees for garbage p
mance last month, expressed an interest Please see MANAGER, I-4 March 16 at Rozansky's request to
discuss the garbage and recycling
issues.
He also provided status reports
about the city's pension plan and
construction at Central Winds
Park on State Road 434.
Koehler requested that the city
auditors be asked to determine
what it would cost to conduct an
audit of the fees provided by
Cablevision.
gA 03
Rozansky bout personal
I SEE the Winter Springs City Commission is on
another witch hunt. An effort to oust City Manager
Dick Rozansky has been resurrected again this time Winter Springs ma
by Commissioner Terri Donnelly. may
redraw district lines
Her backers and advisers probably forgot to re-
mind her that an earlier proposal to change the WINTER SPRINGS—Aseven-
charter so the manager could be fired by three,rath- member WINTER board SP ING decide whether
seven-
er than the required four commissioners was soundly new boundaries should be created for
defeated by voters. • City Commission districts before the
Lets face it. Donnelly and her advisers aren't in- 1993 elections.
terested in making it easier to fire a manager.They In November 1990 city voters
want to dump Rozansky for personal reasons. changed the city charter to require that
candidates live in one of five districts
Donnelly is quoted as saying many city employees at least six months before they qualify
live in fear of losing their jobs. If so, they probably to run for the commission seat for their
are overdue for dismissal, district.
I worked;for Rozansky for 12 years. I have never The change was intended to ensure
known a more fair, *pietist and concerned man- that all neighborhoods receive equal
agar. He hastaheayg been people-oriented, almost to representation on the commission.
a fault. lid.get a wayward employee dismissed for Members of this year's districting
cause ahnoSt requires an act of God. board held their first organizational
•
Rozansky is probably the hardest-working person meeting last week.
I've known,His efforts have always been directed at By June they will create district
what is best for the entire community; not those of boundaries so that each district ,
certain persons or groups represents about 20 percent of the
city's population.
differ-
Understandably,there can be philosophical Appointed to the board this year are
ences But Ifin n professional and the elect- Bill Jacobs,Glenn Childs,Eugene
ed. But I find it about local that one na knees abso- Lem,Jim Mathews,Larry Pellerin,
lutely nothing about local government Suddenly wine Marsha Ritter and Carey Weaver.
an election,then claims to be an authority on every-
thing the professionals have been trained to do.
Charles Holman
WINTER SPRINGS
9 A o3 to? a
WinterSprings Rozansky later last year said the county had
backed out of that collection system. Last month,he
city manager is told commissioners it was too late to put the assess-
ment on the 1992 tax bills.
Unlike Winter Springs,however,Seminole County
criticized again already passed its resolution and ordinance to put
the assessment on the tax rolls and earlier this year
voted to do so. . _. .__.,..,„
Rozansky said Monday night he "?,1
❑Commissioners who warned Dick did what he thought was right for al
Rozansky last month about his behavior the city.
heard new complaints this week to zansky should disagreed,hapresented saying the
ky should have saying the 7
consider in his upcoming evaluation. ordinance and resolution to the
"
commission last year so the city r. 'a
By Elaine Bennett too could place the assessment on
this year's tax roll.
OF THE SENTINELS rAFF "'The City Commission instruct-.
ed you one way or the other to put Kaahtar
WINTER SPRINGS — City Manager Dick Ro- the assessment on the tax rolls,"
zansky's critics have raised new concerns about his Koehler said. "It was a direct order that Was ig-
nored."
City Commissioner Cindy Kaehler this week raised de-
termined who in the city Koehler also questioned why Rozansky never de-
two new complaints about Rozansky and urged her tcity gave Cablevision of Central
colleagues to keep them in mind when they evaluate Florida authorization in 1986 to charge city custom-
colleagues
city manager's job performance in the next few ers e 7 percent franchise fee,which is returned to the
weeks. city,for basic cable services.
Commissioners warned Rozansky last month they Rozansky reminded Koehler that he told her last
were not satisfied with his performance because he month that neither Cablevision nor the city could 10-
often was reluctant or late to give them information. Cate a record of authorization approving the 7 per-
Monday night. Kaehler criticized Rozansky and cent fee,which currently is not charged for premium
blamed him for causing the city to delay putting an channels.
He annual garbage assessment on the tax rolls until the city ould find a neither
ttrord showing Cablevision
nor
993. ty 8
Rozansky who has been city had notified the city nearly six years ago it had an
manager since 1979, denied any option to allow the company to charge customers a 5
wrongdoing and at one point dui- percent franchise fee on their total monthly bill.
w ing a brief argument told Koehler Koehler maintained that the city could have rn
y in a raised voice not to point her ceived $15,000 in additional revenues if Cablevision
finger at him. had charged the 5 percent franchise fee.
• lie also argued that Kaehler "I want to know the answer,"Kaehler said."I don't
made the accusation because she want an excuse that it can't be found.That is not ac-
°` didn't get her way. You didn't ceptable. Someone had to have made the decision. I
like it,that's all,"Rozansky said. want to find out who is at fault here.There is some-
Kaehler said, though, that the thing wrong.
Rozansky city received a package of infor- City Attorney Frank Kruppenbacher,who also rep
motion from Seminole County in 1990 that explained resents Cablevision, claimed a conflict of interest
and suggested that Rozansky contact the attorneys
how the city could include the garbage assessment
on the tax rolls for the Federal,Communications Commission to re-
Last year, she said, commissioners told Rozansky solve the issue.
to start the procedure to put the assessment on the Rozansky agreed to do so.
1992 tax bills and he subsequently obtained copies of
a resolution and ordinance last year for the city to
adopt.
Rozansky,however, never presented the resolution
or ordinance to commissioners, Koehler said. He did
tell them the county suggested the city enter into an
agreement calling for a mandatory garbage collection ✓n
/ A O
with Seminole County and allowing the city and
county to simultaneously place the assessment on
the tax rolls this year.
Kaehler: Veteran Commissioner Terri Donnelly rated Rozansky
Evaluations ,the lowest,giving him 3 points on her evaluation
look grim for manager should go form. She suggested a 25 percent pay cut, effec-
•for 1. That woaddrop RaxPaycut salary
ffec-
,from$59,111 to$44,333.25. 1
The most outspoken in,her comments on the
city manager RESIGN from K-1 appraisal form, Donnelly said Rozansky has
shown strengths as city manager by working his
❑Winter Springs' Dick formance for about a year, gave Rozansky a 4 way up through °°� and "displaying
Rozansky gets poor point rating out of a possible 40 points available traordinary resourcefulness in achieving and
from each commissioner. managing his position'
ratings from 4 officials, However, she said, thg city manager "has job
but 2 give higher marks.
She said Tuesday that she would ask for the security, and this has resulted in an erosion of
gi git city manager's resignation at the Feb. 8 commis- his attitude and responsiveness to the commis-
sion meeting. sion as a whole."
By Elaine Bennett I don't believe that given the evaluations that
•arils spsraalarur he has received that he deserves to keep his job," According to Donnelly,Rozansky has no incen-
tive said. "Considering the evaluations, I ttyc to serve a majority of the commission and
don't think there is any option here.The citizens that he "does not have to perform in order to
WINTER SPRINGS — With of Winter Springs deserve better." keep his job.He only has to stay on the good side
four city commissioners giving H Rozansky is fired,the city's charter woad al- of any two of any given five commissioners.
the city's longtime manager poor low the mayor or another individual chosen by 'That is a laughable task," Donnelly said in
jobper Cfp nil ratings' Co mmis- the commission to serve as interim city manager her evaluation,"and frankly I get the distinct fro-
skater Cindy Kaehler said she pression that is e
until a replacement is found. Police Chief John exactly how Mr.RRozansky visas
plane to wah Dick Roranslq to re- , Govoruhk has held the post in the past when Ro- the majority of the aottget sheaf atjaugfrTbl€.I
feel the system is as mus'i'tp blame for his lack
zansky has been ill or on vacation. a
sign Raehkr!! among four commis-required i Commissioner, of responeiverreea as amythmg'else.
R John Tobove and Mayor Phil resented ' 10 tson an evalua- 1
e ionere — the number required tion - ,ener John tan
;alder the city's charter to fire the
Kulbes gave Rozansky above average or out-
city manager—to rate Rozansky standing ratings. According to those evaluations gellot i mitI2 fiyr•Commisslonet Don
poorly in tine job performance. He
Torcaso gave the city manager 95 points, while Jonas. .
Rulbes gave Rozansky a 25-point rating.
has worked in the city since 1976 According to Torcaso's appraisal. Rozansky is Both gave the citymyiogat average or Paster
and served as city manager since outstanding in his budgeting, communicating, tory ratings for Ma Ability to prepaid and control
1979. delegating, evaluating and staffing skills and is the city's budgets and expenditures.
In his first formal evaluation in Jonas also gave Rozansky a satisfactory rating
exceptional in ng areas io of directing, motivating,
more than 10 years, Rozansky re- for his planning abilities. Each noted some defi-
treinfnlso planning th and prioritizing work projects.
p• ints possible points out ae 290 total He also said that one of Rhe city's acted f- a eas. J or u also wrot th abilities k ell other
points is tha senior required strengths is that he respects the city's elected of- areas. Jonas also wrote that Rozansky has poor
ment rma that assess 10 the finials. He believes those officials should show control of staff, poor communications with cent-
performance skills of the city ; more respect for the city manager and depart- missioners and is not good at meeting deadlines.
c ment heads. Langellotti wrote that Rozansky had no princi-
The commissioners submitted Kulbes,who can vote to hire or fire a city man- pal strengths as a city manager and that he need-
their evaluali was Monday. ed to improve in every area
agar only in the event of a tie, gave Rozansky
Ruction y was reviewing the ;satisfactory or exceptional ratings in those same He said that it appears that a majority of the
evaluation forms last week,but he . categories commissioners are in favor of replacing Ro-
said he hoped the commission In his appraisal of Rozansky, Kulbes said the zansky.However,he suggested that the comm is-
°CM of reitaate J . remarks w or
:city manager is an advocate of long-range plan- Mon carefully review the evaluations and discuss
Iack of MI set'. I don't know • nine, adamant about preserving a solid reserve them before making any decision. i
ambelse MI zay.this is just out of • account and is strong in his communications
the bhre:" • skills.as well as working with his staff.
Kreider,who has expressed
al:s. tl 3 0 / 3
content with xaraneky HWti per /
.- Pities see RESliili? -4 •
The most outspoken in her comments on the
appraisal form, Donnelly -aid Rozansky has
shown strengths as city manager by working his
way up through the ranks and "displaying ex-
traordinary resourcefulness in achieving and
managing his position."
However, she said, the city manager "has job
security, and this has resulted in an erosion of
his attitude and responsiveness to the commis-
sion as a whole."
According to Donnelly,Rozansky has no incen-
tive to serve a majority of the commission and
that he "does not have to perform in order to
keep his job.He only has to stay on the good side
of any two of any given five commissioners.
"That is a laughable task," Donnelly said in
her evaluation, "and frankly I get the distinct im-
pression that is exactly how Mr. Rozansky views
the majority of the commission—as laughable. I
feel the system is as much to blame for his lack
of responsiveness as anything else."
Rozansky received only 10 points on an evalua-
tion form completed by Commissioner John Lan-
' gellotti and 12 points from Commissioner Don
Jonas.
Both gave the city manager average or satisfac-
tory ratings for his ability to prepare and control
the city's budgets and expenditures.
Jonas also gave Rozansky a satisfactory rating
for his planning abilities. Each noted some defi-
ciencies or unsatisfactory abilities in all other
areas. Jonas also wrote that Rozansky has poor
control of staff, poor communications with com-
missioners and is not good at meeting deadlines.
Langellotti wrote that Rozansky had no princi-
pal strengths as a city manager and that he need-
ed to improve in every area.
He said that it appears that a majority of the
commissioners are in favor of replacing Ro-
zansky. However, he suggested that the commis-
sion carefully review the evaluations and discuss
them before making any decision.
3 0 / 3/
Winter Springs commissioners
fire Rozansky as city manager
WINTER SPRINGS—City Man- "I honestly believe I have done
ager Dick Rozansky was fired the best I can," said Rozansky,
Monday night after 17 years on the who now plans to devote more
job by commissioners who said time to his family.
they were unhappy with his work. Commissioners gave Rozansky
On a 4-1 vote, commissioners 89 points out of 240 total points
dismissed the 57-year-old city possible for senior management
manager effective immediately. traits. He was rated lowest for
They appointed Police Chief John leadership abilities, motivating
Govoruhk as acting-city manager employees and providing them
until a new manager can be hired. adequate training, and ranking
Only Commissioner John Tor- Projects in order of importance.
caso voted against the firing. He received highest marks for
Rozansky said later he was not preparing the city's budget, evalu-
surprised by the vote after receiv- ating employees and maximizing
ing poor ratings of his job perfor- use of human resources.
mance two weeks ago from the Rozansky earned$59,111 a year.
same four commissioners. —ELAINE BENNETT
•
IV
Don Boyett -}-`1"
SEMINOLE COUNTY EDITOR
ri v. ►i
Real choices:All too often, elec-
tions boil down to the lesser of
two evils. However, looks as
though Winter Springs voters
won't have that problem this fall,
at least in the race for mayor.
Already, Paul Partyka has an-
nounced his intention to run for
the office, and John Bush says he
also will seek it.
As a city commissioner, Partyka
was considered among the say- A 3c A Q
viest — a visionary and foreward i
thinker. Bush, the UCF registrar
and one-time candidate for the
School Board, is among the
brighter political lights developing
in Seminole.
I
1
Commission tumbled
removal of Rozansky
Another day work: As 'p
usual, Dick Rozansky at drove > •1 to the City Commission
meeting Monday night. But short tThq,...; : '
ly after 11 p.m. he had to bum a ``•.. 4,44::„::...v x,••;. v
ride home, proving there's a •- 6,, .
downside to driving a "company •4.: s .»
car." ,� Y,
Rozansky, Winter Springs city r ":.. :: y ;ii;,;•...t.
manager for 14 years, had been
fired in a bloody confrontation Don Boyett �-
Y
with his city commissioner bosses
— effective immediately. The SEMINOLE COUNTY EDITOR
perk went with the job.
Not that the firing was unex-
pected. He's long battled an ele- Displeasure with Rozansky had
ment wanting his hide. But pres- been building among them over
sure picked up steam recently. A the years. Then, after a three-year
lapsed practice of evaluating his lapse in appraisals of manager
work was revived, and four of five performance, the practice was re-
commissioners found it to be less vived. The results went public,
than satisfactory. Four votes are which was proper, but Rozansky
required to fire. was confronted with them only at
Should he have been fired? the public meeting.
Commissioners are best able to Once the reviews were corn-
judge that, and bossing the man- plete, good management practice
ager is their job. —to say nothing of common cour-
That, perhaps, was one of Ro- tesy—would dictate that commis-
zansky's problems: He was not a sioners meet privately,one-on-one
good politician. At times he with the manager, each warning
chafed under their direction—ad- him to get his house in order, or
mittedly, some of the direction else. Alas, that didn't happen.
was dumb enough to chafe wings Commissioner complaints that
off an angel, still .. . And, for Florida's "Government-in-the-
sure, he had his weaknesses, in- Sunshine"law doesn't allow a bet-
cluding a penchant to bog down in ter way to fire don't wash;it does.
detail. Perhaps it was time for Ro-
But it was the butchered man- zansky to go. But the way this was
ner of the.ring that highlighted handled, more egg was left on the
the meeting. It was ham-fisted. It commission's face than on Ro-
was not Winter Springs' finest both they and he learned oa lesson
hour.
Blame Rozansky in part for the from it.
bloodletting. He knew the jig was Regardless how one may feel
up and could have resigned quiet- toward him,credit Rozansky with a
ly. Instead, he went down swing- great sense of humor.After the last
ing, egging on his adversaries punch had been thrown, his abili-
with a three-page taunt. Probably ties questioned, his car taken from
felt good at the moment to take a him, he was asked by a reporter,
swing that previously could only "So, Dick, you've just been fired.
be imagined. Time, though, will What are you going to do next?"
prove it not to have been prudent. Without missing a beat, a grin
He led with his head, not his spread across his broad face, and
brains.Not a good trait. he replied,"I'm going to Walt Dis-
That does not, however, absolve ney World." Michael Eisner would
the commissioners of blame. have beamed.
Y• i
•
•
DENNIS WALUSENTINEL
Rozansky, who was fired, has advice for the next city manager:
Stay out of politics and support the commission's decisions.
Rozansky is gone but he's not forgotten
By Elaine Bennett tion fast enough.
Rozansky's critics,though,also have come under
OF THE SENTINEL STAFF fire from a former commissioner who called the
handling of Rozansky's termination a disgrace.
WINTER SPRINGS—When city commissioners "I don't have an argument with the commis-
fired Dick Rozansky,they ended one of the longest sion's right of review or their stance," said Marty
tenures of any Central Florida city administrator. Trencher, who has worked with Rozansky since
Rozansky,57,was fired Feb. 8 in a 4 to 1 vote by 1980. "But, the commission did a disservice by not
commissioners who criticized his work and offered recognizing all the contributions Dick has made
little praise for his accomplishments and ability to over these years. It's a shame and it sends a wrong
cater to the needs and whims of nearly two dozen message to the residents and the community."
commissioners over the past 14 years. Rozansky, looking back over his tenure at City
Those who fired Rozansky claimed he should Hall, accepted some of the blame. But, he added,
have seen it coming because he did little to im- criticism about communicating went both ways.He
prove his performance after being warned they said few commissioners discussed their concerns
were dissatisfied with his work. In particular, they with him outside of public meetings. He also
criticized his lack of communicating with the com-
mission and said he didn't provide them informa-
Q3oa � �
R o z a n s k The city_ .
's population has grown He also said it appeared com
Y to more than 23,500 people. Its$16 missioners were relying more
million-a-year budget includes the heavily on recommendations from
hasn 't been costs of operating two water and special interest groups than those
sewer companies, two fire sta- of the city manager and staff.
tions, a new municipal building Rozansky said those types of ac-
fo rg otte n that horses police and administra tivities reminded him of how the
`ive offices, public works build city operated in the 1970s, when
ings, a civic center, a senior cen there was no<alty manager and
ter,the recently completed 59 acre commissioners were responsible
Central Winds Park and numer for individual departments.
ROZANSKY from 1-1 ous other city parks. "There was a lot of in-house
Mayor Phil Kulbes and Commis " he recalled. "It
sioner John Torcaso,who opposed fighting then,
said that allegations on the night Rozansky's termination,reminded seems the commission again has of his firing were half-truths and their peers of those accomplish- headed in that direction."
that said he has no re-
that he and staff often had no con- ments in recent evaluations of the Rozansky
trol over when information could city manager. They also praised grets, except leaving the employ-
be given to commissioners. ees who have worked for him.
Rozansky recalled some of his Rozansky for keeping the city's Rozansky said he "loved every
budget the lowest in the county minute of my job as city manager.
accomplishments as Winter It has been an honor and privi-
Springs city manager. He said lege. I believe'I did my best and
there was only one disappoint-
ment—the night he was II the city treated me good."
fired. He now plans to devote more
Born in Cleveland, Rozansky time to his family and to travel.
dropped out of the 10th grade at He always p ro p osed a
the age of 17 and joined the Air Although he has no immediate
Force, where he served 20 years. budget with the lowest plans to return to government op-
He later finished high school and erations, he said he might consid-
two years of college. tax base in the area. . . ' er seeking an elected post.
After retiring from the military As a manager running a As for the next city manager of
in 1972 as a technical sergeant, Winter Springs, Rozansky offered
Rozansky sold real estate for a business, he did an ex- this advice: "Although there is a
year in Colorado, then moved to cellent job. limited amount you must deal
Florida and enrolled in January with, stay out of politics. And,
— Marty Trencher, most of all,accept and support the
1974 at the University of Central former commissioner decisions of the commission."
Florida. There,he received a bach-
elor's degree in public administra-
tion and political science. He later
completed graduate school in pub- and with equal or only slightly
lic policy. higher taxes to its residents.
On Nov. 4, 1976, Winter Springs Trencher agreed. He described
hired Rozansky as its city planner. the former city manager "as al-
He would be appointed city man- ways a conservative spender and
ager in 1979. conscious of taxpayers' money. He
When Rozansky was hired as always proposed a budget with the
planner, the city had about 5,000 lowest tax base in the area. City
residents and an annual budget of staff ran their offices very well.As
less than $1 million. City Hall op- a manager running a business, he
erated from a small building did an excellent job."
shared with the police and fire de- Rozansky blamed part of his
partments — the city's only two downfall on commissioners not al-
services provided its residents. lowing him to run the city as a
The expanded building today business. During the past few
serves as one of two stations hous- years, he said, several commis-
ing firefighters and paramedics. sioners went to department super-
visors rather than him to discuss ni 3 0 ,
problems. Although he didn't dis-
courage the activity, he said the
commission "dabbled" in the du-
ties of staff, contrary to what the
city's charter allows.