Dancing Mayor Tells the Rochester Hills Story
Mayor Bryan Barnett performs the Harlem Shake on the big screen at Emagine Theatre — but his staff has work to do.
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"We have a great story to tell — but how to tell it?"
That was the question Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett asked at the start of his 2013 State of the City Address.
(Read about the address here.)
With Emagine Theatre as a venue, Barnett proposed telling the story through an Academy Award winning movie — or maybe just the internet phenomenon known as the Harlem Shake.
The crowd watched a larger-than-life video clip of Barnett performing the dance. While the Harlem Shake usually ends with a mass of people joining the solo performer in the dance, this time, Barnett's staff stood, studious, all around him as one worker, media technician Jason Dale, held up a sign declaring "I have work to do."
Watch the video here: what do you think of Barnett's movie-dancing debut?
Linda Altz Griffin
9:00 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Gotta love his sense of humor!!! I love this video!
Nina Misuraca Ignaczak
9:35 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
funny
Linda Eastman
10:32 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Bryan Barnett is Number One in my eyes. I am so glad he's at the helm of our city's ship. He is innovative, bright, and not afraid to try something new. Plus, he can laugh at himself, a wonderful quality to have as a politician.
Greg Swett
10:56 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Awesome... he is sooo fun!
laurie puscas
3:39 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Kwame liked to party too - look where it took him and what it did to the city of Detroit. I would like to see honest transparent government run by individuals who are educated and trained to do so. I have not yet seen a response to my request for an ethics ordinance like the state and county enacted that requires the disclosure of gifts for employees and elected officials in our city. Perhaps it is time for Heather Cattalo to set her sights on Rochester hills, now that she and the Feds are wrapping up in Detroit.
Ray
4:16 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Kwame had a cozy relationship with Fmr Attorney General Mike Cox just like Barnett does (Oil Deal).
Scot Beaton
5:32 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
FYI
2011-0437 Vehicle Allowance for Mayor - 2012 - Pamela Gordon, Director of Human Resources, explained that a City vehicle was removed as a part of the Mayor's compensation in 2006, and noted that the Mayor instead receives a car allowance. She reported that the City's Fleet Manager performed an analysis to review the cost of purchasing a City vehicle for the Mayor at this time. Costs to purchase would add up to approximately $670 per month. She stated that as private sector vehicle allowances range from $600 to $800 per month and public sector allowances range from $500 to $600 per month, it is recommended to increase the Mayor's car allowance from $400 to $550 per month. Mr. Rosen noted that this represents approximately a 30 percent increase.
A motion was made by Yalamanchi, seconded by Klomp, that this matter be Adopted by Resolution. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye 5 - Hooper, Klomp, Pixley, Webber and Yalamanchi
Nay 1 - Rosen
Absent 1 - Brennan
Whereas, a $550 per month vehicle allowance would better offset current costs associated with use of the Mayor’s personal vehicle, while still saving the City considerable monies per year over a new City vehicle.
Resolved, that the Mayor’s vehicle allowance will be increased to $550 per month, effective January 1, 2012.
Love that BIG YES VOTE from Yalamanchi -- LOL
Scot Beaton
5:35 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
FYI
2011-0439 Salary Recommendation for City Council - 2012 - President Hooper noted that no change in Council salaries is recommended for 2012. Pamela Gordon, Director of Human Resources, commented that Council salaries have not changed since 2003.
A motion was made by Pixley, seconded by Webber, that this matter be Adopted by
Resolution. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye 6 - Hooper, Klomp, Pixley, Rosen, Webber and Yalamanchi
Absent 1 - Brennan
Whereas, pursuant to Article III, Section 5 of the City Council Policy for Salaries of Department Directors and Mayor, and Per Diem Fees for City Boards and Commissions, the Human Resources Technical Review Committee met to discuss recommendations concerning the compensation for members of City Council in fiscal year 2012.
Resolved, that the Rochester Hills City Council hereby concurs with the recommendation of the Human Resources Technical Review Committee and that Council compensation in 2012 shall remain at the current rate of $7,850.48 for Council President, $6,577.43 for Council Members, and meeting pay of $60 after 32 meetings.
Love that BIG YES VOTE from Rosen & Yalamanchi -- LOL
Scot Beaton
5:36 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
So what does a Mayor cost the taxpayers of Rochester Hills everyday to dance? LOL
Base Salary $105,148.00
Premium Benefit Package Including Car Allowance $40,000.00 (conservative estimate)
Or about $370.00 per day ... A Mayor's job is 24 hours day 365 days per year
That's $370.00 per day to cut ribbons... our mayor holds the record in Oakland County
That's $370.00 per day learn stuff a Harvard University
That's $370.00 per day to travel all the way to Germany to learn about community gardens*
That's $370.00 per day to shake hands and get your picture taken with Barack Obama ... Our Mayor does this every year and it's all first class... he wouldn't want it any other way.
That's $370.00 per day to do all kinds of fun Mayor stuff.
*I wonder if he new at the time the City of Rochester had a community garden
Oh well he's a better deal than the President of City Council they keep canceling meetings so (conservative estimate) they will have 15 this year 2013...
That's $523.00 per meeting or about 3 hours max... to do all kinds of fun President fun stuff... like not listening to the residents
doug
9:11 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
Scot:
There is no doubt the Mayor is a personable guy who enjoys the fun stuff. I also don't know if his compensation it out of line on not. It doesn't appear to be crazy. I am also not a fan of silly video's. I would just rather see the streets get plowed and holes fixed. That said, I think the earlier point that had some merit was about disclosure into who is contributing to key officials. Most companies and apparently even Oakland County have such policies.
The most harmful financial risks from local government come when vendors and contributors get too close to public officials. Those relationships can, in the worst cases, cost taxpayers millions of dollars, due to improper bidding overcharging, etc... They don't have to be illegal to be problematic.
The one guard against that is full disclosure. Visibility acts as a deterrent and keeps things above board. If it is true that we don't have that in Rochester Hills, it is a bit concerning. My question to the Mayor would be WHY NOT?
If we do have something like that, where is it and how can it be accessed?
Scot Beaton
12:53 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Doug...
Laurie Puscas and I have been asking those questions for years... no response from the city... no posted accountability from gifts from vendors on the City's Website.
The Mayor's name goes on all checks let by the city (including payroll) ... unless something changed ... everyday all checks from the following day should be posted on the city website, including all credit card expenses. On a link on the front page easy for the residents to find.
I'm not joking... when the Mayor goes on these trips to shake hands and get his picture taken with Barack Obama how much was his bar, hotel, limo, bill at taxpayers expense etc. Question does our Mayor have a dally purdum for expenses... is there a limit? I do know the first day in office the city hands over to you a credit card.
When I asked the head of our HR department... is our Mayor allowed to fly his wife with him at city expense... got a "I don't know response" from her. I do know when I worked for big ad agencies and I would be out of town longer than two weeks the agency would fly my wife out for a weekend... so it is a practice in the private sector.
Doug... so this begs the question who is the watchdog for the city... anyone?