On July 6 Caddo Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) Executive Director Mark Sweeney emailed the MPC Board announcing his resignation, effective August 15.
He advised that he had accepted a “once in a lifetime” career and financial prospect. He stated that the knowledge and experience he had gained as Executive Director prepared him to take on the leadership responsibilities of a larger organization.
The next day, in the local media, Sweeney trashed Shreveport. He blamed a “hidden agenda” and an “old broken system” that lead to a pressure cooker environment.
To say the least, Sweeney’s comments reflect unprofessionalism. And they will further undermine any real influence he has in his job during the next 35 days.
The MPC Board meets tomorrow—Wednesday at 3 pm. They should vote to send Sweeney home—keeping him on the payroll but away from the MPC.
Sweeney's goals of preparing budgets for 2019 to be presented to the Shreveport City Council and 5th Caddo Commission can be handled by other personnel. The proposed UDC amendments to be presented tomorrow and on August 1 to the MPC Board can also be delegated.
A basic principle of good business management is to remove top executives from their job as soon as a resignation is received. There is no logical reason to have Sweeney at the MPC after tomorrow’s meeting.
Unfortunately good logic and business acumen has not been a trademark of the majority of the nine-member board but there is always hope.