By Pat Sullivan
Municipal Executive Job Description:
- Do the Right Thing
- Other Duties as Assigned
Those of us who attended the MME Summer Workshop in Charlevoix heard some inspiring stories about people who did the right thing. Meridian Township Manager Frank Walsh organized a session that highlighted how Brianne Randall, a brave young athlete, stood up to a serial sexual predator. And how a tenacious Michigan State Police detective and determined prosecutor brought Larry Nassar to justice. These three brave women are now receiving nationwide acclaim for doing the right thing. Frank Walsh also did the right thing.
In 2004, nine years before Frank Walsh became their manager, Brianne Randall reported her encounter with Nassar to the Meridian Township Police Department. Missing an opportunity to stop Nassar 14 years ago, the department failed to forward the complaint to prosecutors. When the national spotlight shines on our mistakes, many run for cover. Our attorneys and insurance companies usually advise a “no comment” when there is potential litigation as a result of those mistakes. That was the advice Frank Walsh received, but he did the right thing instead. He publicly apologized in a press conference covered nationwide.
Frank, as well as the members of his police department, were devastated that they had failed Brianne Randall and that they had missed an opportunity to stop Nassar. They knew they could do better. They knew that to be part of the solution, you have to own your mistakes. Frank did that in a big way and started an effort, which has taken off around our state, to reevaluate the way we approach sexual assault and retrain detectives and prosecutors. Rather than duck and cover, Frank decided to use this incident as a springboard to improve the way we investigate and prosecute these cases. We now have a personal connection, through Frank, to those courageous women and we are all inspired to do a better job of preventing it from happening again. Thanks, Frank!
We are not elected, we are selected. Our role is to stand up for the right thing despite what politics or short term financial implications or our own instincts to run from the spotlight might tell us. Owning your organization’s mistakes is one of those right things we are called to do. As an executive, owning your organization’s mistakes sends a powerful example to employees that they should do the same thing. Our shrunken municipal work force has caused our employees to wear many hats. Mistakes happen every day. We need to create a culture where employees know that owning and correcting your mistakes is an essential value. It’s how we get better.
Frank Walsh’s actions when under fire serve as a great example, both to his employees who are working hard to make sure no more victims are deprived of justice, and to municipal executives across our state who can learn so much from his community’s experience.
Patrick Sullivan
President, Michigan Municipal Executives; City Manager, Northville
Patrick Sullivan was selected to be the city manager of Northville in 2006. His previous governmental experience included 10 years as superintendent of the City of St. Clair; four years as assistant village manager and village clerk of Beverly Hills; manager of the Village of New Haven; and township clerk of Lenox Township. You may reach him at 248-449-9905 or psullivan@ci.northville.mi.us.