Grindstaff 'never thought' to bring hospital utility bill arrears before council

That's about right. You are the city manager, how could you "never think" to bring the hospital utility bill issue before the council. This is yet another issue with our current city manager. I don't get this guy at all. I often wonder what it is that gives him the qualifications to be the "city manager". What get's me is the fact that Mr. Grindstaff states that he did not learn of the delinquent $18,000 bill until he had been on the job for a year! Are you kidding me!!! If someone owes my business $18,000 and has yet to pay, I think I would know about it and I definitely know it would not take me a year to find out!!! Grindstaff then goes on to say "“I would act much quicker in the future, but I do believe we will collect it, I have no doubt”. SURE!!! If you didn't do anything about it the first year you were appointed city manager and you have yet to collect, what makes you think that you are going to collect at whopping $175,000?? It's a little late to try to get the ball rolling on this issue. Seems as if you just wanna sit back and go with the flow and sweep things like this "under the rug"!

I was worried when I heard that Mike Lout was elected mayor. I thought to myself "With Lout and Grindstaff, Jasper doesn't stand a chance." I can honestly say from what I have seen from Mr. Lout so far, I rescind my previous thoughts. Mr. Lout seems to be getting citizens involved now and that has been needed for awhile. Now if we can just do something about that ol' Grindstaff.

I think that Mike will fool a lot of folks. And, remember that he was elected by a vast majority of the people...something like 70% of the vote. This means the he has the backing of the people of Jasper. Also, Mike is a pilot, so cool thinking should be easy for him.
I hope that the council will work with him. Right now there is probably a "feeling out" process underway by both the council and him. I hope his learning curve is not too long.
I imagine Mr. Grindstaff is evaluating his options as we chat here.