There must be some evil Ron LeBlanc doppelganger running around who is kicking puppies, because the city manager’s sudden decision to retire doesn’t make any sense based on my experience.
I’ve known him professionally for 12 years, both as a pestering reporter and editor at The Durango Herald, and for the past three years sitting with him on the city’s Local Licensing Authority. At all times he has been a funny, thoughtful and considerate person; in private and in public.
Above all, he was always patient.
His sudden departure reeks of being thrown under the bus by current city councilors upset with prior councils’ decisions, primarily over budgetary issues.
LeBlanc has been criticized as being strong-willed, but if anything, he probably should have been more autocratic in order to corral the ever-changing herd of cats who set policy for the city. His predecessor, Bob Ledger, was great at loudly and publicly slapping down stupid ideas. LeBlanc, to his detriment, seemed more judicious at dealing with knuckleheads.
Greater accountability in government is always laudable, but LeBlanc’s departure is a huge loss for the city.
Tom Sluis
Durango
