Letter to the Editor: Thanks to Leaders of Hercules' Recovery

The county has certified the election results. The interim city manger has announced his departure date. The new council will be in place within the next several days.

I have stopped and taken a few minutes to reflect on recent events, where Hercules has been and how far we have or have not come. Frankly, while there are many issues to be resolved, I conclude that Hercules has made a very good start at righting the ship; a very big part of that has been the efforts of the Recall Committee and the candidates who emerged; but the real work has, as usual, been done in the trenches.

I write this to say thank you to the people who I believe have quietly led our journey to recovery. Interim City Manager Fred Deltorchio and Interim Finance Director Liz Warmerdam have willingly accepted the added responsibilities assigned to them: and, have quietly, on a day-to-day basis worked the long hours, endured the unkind remarks, put Hercules first and made the difficult decisions and executed the sometimes painful plans which have brought the city back from the brink of financial ruination and to a point where Hercules has a very clear opportunity to survive this storm. 

I have spent 22 years out of the last 39 working in the public sector. Everything I have seen in those years, working in five different San Francisco City departments has confirmed to me it is the city’s managers and  employees who actually bring about change, good or bad.

These two have separated themselves from the fray of politics, faced the real world challenges that exist inside 111 Civic Drive and led by example.

I for one am and will continue to be eternally thankful to both of them for their dedication to public service and their continued personal integrity in difficult times.

I hope that others will join me in saying simply, "Thank you."

Bill Kelly