For 28 years, Columbus building official Kenneth Wiegel has been a reliable, trusted employee. Over that time, multiple city administrations have turned to Wiegel for guidance not only on matters involving building codes and permitting but planning and zoning matters as well. Over that time, Wiegel has conducted himself professionally and respectfully.
You would not have known this by the way Ward 2 Councilman and Vice Mayor Joseph Mickens treated Wiegel during Tuesday’s council meeting, an ugly scene that erupted over a topic that should have been easily and amicably resolved.
It’s exceedingly rare that a city employee has been treated so disrespectfully in open session and again in the corridor after the meeting and in the presence of others.
The incident began when Wiegel asked the council to approve his recommendation for a part-time employee for the building department who would be trained to take over when Wiegel retires, which he expects to do in June.
Wieigel said he began the process of identifying that candidate after an informal discussion with Mickens “one or two years ago.” Wiegel said he left that meeting with the understanding he would proceed with Mickens’ blessing. Mickens said emphatically Tuesday that he did not agree to that and repeatedly attacked Wieigel for allegedly lying about the conversation.
We don’t know the substance of that conversation, of course, but there are two things we do know. First, we know that it is not uncommon for two people to have different recollections of something that happened months earlier. That doesn’t mean one person is lying. Given what we know of Wiegel, we do not believe his recollection constitutes a lie. Second, we know Wiegel was under no obligation to ask Mickens’ permission in the first place and Mickens has no authority to grant it, either. Council members have no authority to make autonomous decisions.
It’s not as though Wiegel was operating in secret. Money was included in this year’s budget for this position, and Mickens voted to approve that budget. Mayor Keith Gaskin said Wiegel had been openly working with the city’s COO and HR director to find the best person for the job. COO Jamie Garrett said she had twice begged Wiegel not to retire and said the city could not afford to lose Wiegel before a replacement could be trained.
It is not uncommon for long-time department heads to identify and train their replacements, especially when the duties are complex. Who better to know the best candidate than the person who has done the job for the better part of three decades?
Wiegel was not usurping the council’s authority by his actions.
It’s worth noting that Wiegel is under no obligation to stay in the position a single day longer and neither is he responsible for training his replacement. That he would agree to do shows that he cares about the city’s best interests.
During the meeting, Mickens asked Wiegel for his resignation, then asked fellow council members in a contemptuous tone, “How long are we going to keep this guy?”
Ultimately, Gaskin cast a tie-breaking vote to accept Wiegel’s recommendation.
Later, Mickens continued to berate Wiegel in the Municipal Complex lobby, in front of citizens and other city employees.
Given Mickens’ rude and insulting behavior toward Wiegel, a long-time trusted employee, it’s a wonder any prospective employee would want anything to do with the city.
Mickens loves to cite scripture to make his points during council meetings.
It is unfortunate that Mickens didn’t ponder another scripture before his ugly comments Tuesday, specifically Matthew 9:12, commonly known as The Golden Rule:
“Do to others what you would have them do to you.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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