08 September 2021

After Years: New Historical Pespective + A New City Manager For Phoenix

Introduction: Story and podcast taken from KJZZ.
Here's one quotation: "“I’ve taken pride in honesty, integrity, accountability, transparency and responsiveness,” he said.
“My intent is that this organization will commit to the same principles while we enhance our commitment, dedication and connection to the community.”

'Humbled' Jeff Barton To Become Phoenix’s First Black City Manager

By Christina Estes
Published: Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 5:33pm
Updated: Thursday, September 9, 2021 - 7:52am
Image Credit: Christina Estes KJZZ/Assistant City Manager Jeff Barton address the Phoenix City Council on Sept. 8, 2021.
man reading notes while sitting at table

". . .During Wednesday’s meeting, Jeff Barton received high praise from the mayor and all eight council members. Residents, former city employees and business and community leaders called in to the meeting to support Barton’s appointment.

“He has all the qualities you would want as a leader of the fifth-largest city in the nation,” said resident Stephanie Romero. “He’s brilliant, he’s engaged, he’s professional, he’s kind, he keeps it real, employees and community leaders respect and like him, plus he’s a hard worker with a humble background and I’m extremely confident he’ll do an excellent job.”

Barton started as a city auditor more than 20 years ago. Next month, he’ll officially become Phoenix’s first African American city manager.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the importance of today from a historical perspective,” he said. . .

 Phoenix City Manager Names Jeff Barton Assistant City Manager, Leading the  COVID-19 Response, Overseeing Police and Fire | Signals AZ
Here's a report from KJZZ 28 October 2020 . . .The person guiding much of the conversation during the first critical months was then-Budget Director Jeff Barton. Through KJZZ's Q&AZ reporting project, a listener who was impressed with Barton’s performance at a public meeting asked to know more about his background.

Q&AZ: Who Is Jeff Barton And Why Do Phoenix Leaders Listen To Him?

man looking at something on a screen
By Christina Estes
Published: Wednesday, October 28, 2020 - 5:05am
Updated: Wednesday, October 28, 2020 - 8:09am
Excerpts and Details: Knowing Numbers
Speaking Truth
Speak the truth. It was a lesson Barton learned living in Pennsylvania with his grandmother, Rachel Barton.
History
Barton says he is a direct descendant of abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass. And he can trace family members who served in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the Union Army’s first African American regiment in the Civil War.
Visiting battlefields from the Civil and Revolutionary Wars is a passion Barton and his wife share with their three children.
Knowing Numbers
> Around City Hall, Barton is known for seeing the big picture and nailing the details without having to shuffle through a bunch of papers. . .
> Before the pandemic, he helped Phoenix launch an online tool that allows residents to review the $1.4 billion general fund operating budget, create their own budgets and submit them to city leaders. . .
> Last June, as leaders prepared to vote on a budget, Councilman Sal DiCiccio called Barton the best budget director Phoenix has ever had. . .To appreciate the praise, you need to understand that, as budget director, Barton got support from a council made up of fiscal conservatives, moderates and progressives. . .
> "I'm an honest broker, I try not to play politics," he said. “I’m comfortable with, you know, from people with lesser means to people that are filthy rich. I think I can span a lot of ground.”  
"I'm an honest broker, I try not to play politics."
— Jeff Barton

> In 1999, he started as an internal auditor for Phoenix. In July 2015, Barton became director of the city’s Budget and Research Department. He credits current City Manager Ed Zuercher and former city employees, including Alton Washington, Ceil Pettle, Randy Spenia, Bob Wingenroth and Cathy Gleason for supporting him over the last two decades. 

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Multiple Headline Stories
1 The announcement stream on YouTube from ABC15
Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher announces retirement set for October -  YouTube
 
2 Related Content from Facebook
ABC15 Arizona - Phoenix City Manager addresses new DOJ investigation |  Facebook
 
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