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Friday, Jun. 19, 2009

Wasden looks ahead

Turlock's manager says he'll prove his worth with hard work

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TURLOCK -- Roy Wasden trades in his gun for a shirt and tie today as he officially becomes city manager. The former Modesto police chief sat down with Bee reporter Merrill Balassone to talk about the stink over his salary, his vision for Turlock, and his famous "cuss cup." (Wasden's answers have been edited for length.)

Q: Let's get the toughest question out of the way. The City Council has gotten heat for approving a base salary that makes you the highest-paid city manager in Stanislaus County. How will you convince Turlockers you're worth it? (Wasden's base salary is $202,296 per year.)

A: Proof will be in the pudding. I'll be here. I'll be working hard. I'm confident that I'll prove my worth.

Q: When the city is laying off 23 workers and cutting services to balance its books, does your salary send the wrong message? Why not take a smaller amount?

A: I'll come and prove I'm worth every penny and more.

Q: With your family and church duties, what will your workweek look like? (Wasden holds a high position with the Mormon church.)

A: I typically will get here sometime between 7 and 8 in the morning. I'll try to wrap up the day between 6 and 7 at night. I look forward to the community events: getting to know Turlock better, meeting people, working with a service club, all the fun things we get involved with. It's one of the great advantages of being an exempt employee -- you can work all the hours you want. When does it stop being work? You live this job.

Q: Several longtime downtown businesses have shut their doors over the past year. How do you propose to jump-start Turlock's economy in the downtown core? What do you think of Turlock's idea to brand downtown as a "wedding destination?"

A: I think it's a great idea. I walked downtown today; it's beautiful. I would tell anyone with a business looking for a vibrant, attractive place to come and look. I think there are things we ought to be able to do to assist (that). It's a great time for people to invest. How long can this disastrous economy last? Things will get good again.

Q: The arts community has been one of the most outspoken at council meetings in lobbying for the rebuilding of the Carnegie Arts Center. Can it still be rebuilt despite the tight budget?

A: I believe very firmly that arts are critical for a community. I have a daughter that's a ballet major and teaches ballet. I think we have a responsibility not to build something if we don't know how we're going to operate it. I think there's a lot of work to do. Is the Carnegie possible? I think it's absolutely possible.

Q: Local government is a tough gig -- no stock options and plenty of public criticism. How do you propose to keep good employees in Turlock and to attract new employees as the budget allows?

A: I've looked at the turnover rates in Turlock; they're amazingly low. On one hand, it's a good thing. In tough budget times, it's difficult because if there was a higher attrition rate, it would be easier to project some vacancies as we deal with a very tough budget situation. I'm just meeting department heads ... who are 20, 25 years here in Turlock. They really believe in the community, love the community, love working for the community and are very good at what they do. I don't think I need to make any huge changes.

Q: You've said you believe in "smart growth." What does that look like in Turlock?

A: I think continue to do what they've done, which is balance business with housing, jobs with agriculture. You look at the strength of agriculture in Turlock, you look at growth of jobs, the variety of manufacturing and business and retail, looking at Monte Vista Crossings and how that's all developed out there. ... I call that smart growth.