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Too much scrutiny, criticism prompts Williams to resign

Staff reporter

For Marion Economic Development Director Jami Williams, the past two years have been a combination of joy and anguish.

She is proud of the accomplishments that have been made — not solely by herself but with the cooperation of Marion City Council and the community.

"I can't take credit for all of these accomplishments," Williams said in an interview Friday afternoon. "I couldn't have accomplished any of this without the city council."

Williams made that comment just four days after resigning as the city's economic development director.

After much criticism from some of the council members and the public, Williams has decided that life under constant public scrutiny has been too much.

"First and foremost I am a mother and a wife," she said. "My family has endured so much these past two years. It just isn't fair to them.

"I believe that I have invested two years of my life into developing the economy in Marion at a severe cost to my family and friends," Williams said. "Being in the public eye has given people (who don't even know me) the perceived right to judge everything about me.

"I would like these people to know that I have been married for 20 years. I have three children and have opened my doors (twice) to foreign exchange students," she said.

Williams continued that she attends Valley United Methodist Church where she serves on the finance committee, is a liturgist, and teaches first through third grade Sunday school. She also is president of Marion Elementary Parents & Teachers Together, chairman of Community Christmas Committee, and is a member of Marion Advancement Campaign.

"My commitment to Marion goes way beyond the economic development director position," she said.

Williams said she took the job two years ago because she wanted to make a difference in Marion.

"I left the safety, security, and anonymity of a job in the private sector of 15 years and jumped into a public fishbowl," she said. "I spent the past two years selling the city I love.

"My passion for the City of Marion has been the driving force behind my success. In the past two years, 22 new businesses have opened creating 30 new net jobs," Williams said. "Fifteen new homes have been built or are being built, 16 new commercial construction project have brought millions of dollars of capital investment into this community, and taxable sales have increased by more than $1.6 million."

Williams said she can't take all of the credit for this success.

"This couldn't have happened without the support of the majority of the council, the public, and the business community," she said.

Williams said when she was interviewed for the position, successful economic development professionals had told her not to expect anything for five years.

"I was told to build a network by meeting people," she said.

Williams had set the goals of helping five new businesses open and establish 10 new jobs within the first two years. After her first year, Williams said there were 12 new businesses created and 20 new jobs. Her second goal was to get businesses established at the city's industrial park.

"The council didn't offer any goals or direction but approved everything brought to them from me," she said.

'Biggest disappointment'

The lack of support and respect from two members of the council was her biggest disappointment, Williams said.

"They like to share complaints with me as justification for their actions against me but refused to substantiate any of their claims," she said.

One issue that shocked Williams, she said, was that the council was concerned when people in the community refused to complete an income survey for a city application for grant funds because her name was associated with the survey. In the end, 90 percent of the community did participate in the survey.

An e-mail column that Williams created, "Did You Know," also received criticism for promoting businesses.

"One business man who doesn't even live in the State of Kansas wanted me fired because of it," she said, "while hundreds of people voiced their support of the column."

Dwelling on the negative instead of the positive also influenced Williams' decision.

"Certain council members were upset that one (city) grant recipient closed their business after only six months instead of noticing the 90 percent success rate of the other grant recipients," Williams said. "I am surprised at people's desire to dwell on the negative rather than glorify the positive."

A changing council

A three-member council hired Williams. Within three months, the council expanded to five members.

"I knew I would have to prove myself, my abilities, and my passion for Marion to this new council," Williams said.

At the end of her first year, Williams said she received an outstanding evaluation and was given the maximum budgeted pay increase of 4.1 percent, but she knew she still had more to prove.

"Last year's (2006) evaluation suggested that I improve on my knowledge of state and local incentives and programs that are available," Williams said.

When she asked the council what the other requirements would be needed for an outstanding evaluation, she said she was told to locate businesses at the industrial park.

"There is one business there now, another one in the process of locating there, and the city's speculative building is available for a third business," Williams said.

When it was all said and done, the council offered Williams a 2.6 percent pay increase and was given a below outstanding evaluation.

"It became clear, during my evaluation, that there were two members of the council who were not satisfied with my performance and never would be," Williams said. "They questioned my integrity, my honesty, and my ability to perform my job. They gave me no guidance, no suggestions, and wouldn't even share with me the complaints they claimed to have received.

"Ultimately my decision to leave came after much praying and discussion with my family and friends. We agreed there was no need for me to continue to beat my head against a brick wall," she said.

Williams said she did her best and wouldn't change anything about the way she performed her job.

"I committed two years of my life to this position and was rewarded with a . . . below outstanding evaluation," she said.

Williams said the council had approved a four percent pay increase for her by a vote of 3-2 (Mayor Mary Olson and councilman Bill Holdeman voting against), through a contract that was to be provided by Marion City Attorney Dan Baldwin, after a special meeting Dec. 27, but was unaware of it because she was already excused from the meeting. She said she was under the impression that the council's offer of 2.6 percent was non-negotiable.

The issue had never been about money, Williams said.

"I have to justify every move I make," she said. "I'm the only city employee who has to do this."

When Williams started two years ago, she was considered a contract employee with the city. Her pay when she was started was $48,000 per year. With the pay increase, she earned $49,968 in 2007.

Willing to stick around

Not wanting to leave the city without a development director, Williams agreed to continue to work in the position until a replacement can be hired or until she accepts another position.

"I am anxious to see some current projects come to fruition," she said, and she wants the transition to go smoothly.

In her contract, Williams is required to give a 30-day notice. Another contract is being drawn by the city attorney between Williams and the city for her to serve in the interim.

"I can walk away, proudly, knowing that together we have accomplished great things," she said. "I do believe that I have made a difference and hope that progress can continue.

"Working together, the City of Marion is still the best place to live, work, play, build a business, retire, and raise a family," Williams said.

And her final words to the public?

"If there is ONE thing I could say to the public it would be to not just make an effort to complain," Williams said. "The public needs to make an effort to let the council or any business know when something positive happens that they do like and appreciate. Too many times the vocal minority is heard because they like to complain.

"It's time for the silent majority to speak up."

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