City Manager Brooks Williams brings a passionate but demanding philosophical approach to local government. He joins the program to talk about the importance of innovation and efficiency, accountability, employee development, and building strong relationships with your elected officials as he leads the City of Ferris, Texas.
Brooks recently published "Rising to Serve," which I can only describe as his personal love letter to public service and city management. The foreward was penned by the incomparable Tommy Gonzalez.
In his book, available on Amazon, Brooks sets out on a mission to reimagine public administration in this era of unprecedented change.
SHOW NOTES:
Brooks Williams' LinkedIn Page
Link to Brooks' book "Rising to Serve" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eu66Tw
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As I predicted, the ICMA finally capitulated and settled the anti-defamation lawsuit brought forth by Michigan city manager James Freed. As part of the agreement where financial details were not releaed, the ICMA agreed to retract the censure by removing it from their website. 
The settlement was announced via a joint statement on ICMA letterhead. However, I have received overwhelmingly negative responses from the city managers in my network regarding the language of that statement. 
In this episode, I dissect the statement and compare it to the original press release issued by the ICMA when it announced the public censure of James Freed. 
And now that this matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties -- we ponder the logical question that remains: 
Now what?
SHOW NOTES:
James Freed posted the release on his personal LinkedIn page. You can read it here:
ICMA Joint Statement
Freed Email Statement and Court Filing
Video of James Freed addressing ICMA issue
ICMA Public Statements & Court Filing
LinkedIn Post
In Defense of the ICMA Code of Ethics by Jason Grant, Director of Advocacy
Court Filing
Additional Information about James Freed vs ICMA
Main Reference Page
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Things are heating up in the battle between Port Huron City Manager James Freed and the ICMA over the last two weeks. The two-year saga began in June 2022 when the ICMA publicly censured Freed and stripped him of his credential. Freed countered with a lawsuit alleging the ICMA engaged in a conspiracy to defame him.
On September 5, 2024, Freed sent out an email along with a 21-page court filing. See link in the show notes.
On Friday the 6th, the ICMA issued its first public statement on the lawsuit mentioning James Freed by name and referencing yours truly indirectly.
On Monday the 9th, Freed and the ICMA once again made public statements. Freed addressed his employees at an annual luncheon and spoke about the lawsuit and upcoming trial. His remarks were about 20 minutes long and have been included in this podcast.
Additionally, the ICMA's director of advocacy pubished an article on its website. Jason Grant argued that public censures were not punitive and defended the organization. However, the final paragraph signaled to me thta the organization is preparing to settle with Freed while trying to save face. 
SHOW NOTES:
James Freed Court Filing and Public Statements:
Freed Email Statement and Court Filing
Video of James Freed addressing ICMA issue
ICMA Public Statements & Court Filing
LinkedIn Post
In Defense of the ICMA Code of Ethics by Jason Grant, Director of Advocacy
Court Filing
Additional Information about James Freed vs ICMA
Main Reference Page
SUBMIT JOB POSTING:
Do you have an executive or senior level vacancy in your organization? Use this form/link to submit your job listing in my weekly newsletter for just $100:
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SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
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If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
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Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

Audree Guzman refused to become a statistic and has courageously battled through childhood sexual molestation and domestic abuse as a young woman. We discuss her battles along with other struggles encompassing eating disordes and mental health issues.
This is very powerful episode but listener discretion is strongly advised.
SHOW NOTES:
Here is the LinkedIn page for Audree Guzman
For more information about James Freed's anti-defamation lawsuit against the ICMA, I have created a reference page that will serve as a Wikipedia page of sorts. It can be found here: https://citymanagernews.com/james-freed-vs-icma/
SUBMIT JOB POSTING:
Do you have an executive or senior level vacancy in your organization? Use this form/link to submit your job listing in my weekly newsletter for just $100:
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SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly report of city and county manager resignations, terminations, and retirements (RTRs) at this link:
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
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Audree Guzman was hired into her first city administrator gig at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Less than a year later, she would be forced to deal with another historic event that rocked her community. 
In this episode, Audree and I discuss the trials and tribulations she faced down in her first city administrator gig in small town Kansas. We also discuss the impact a mentor had on her and what impact, if any, her being a Latina in a predominantly white state has had on her career.
Originally planned to be a single episode interview, Audree and I ended up spending considerable time discussing the impacts of child and domestic abuse on our lives. This segment of the conversation will be released next week in part two of the series.
SHOW NOTES:
Here is the LinkedIn page for Audree Guzman
SUBMIT JOB POSTING:
Do you have an executive or senior level vacancy in your organization? Use this form/link to submit your job listing in my weekly newsletter for just $100:
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SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly report of city and county manager resignations, terminations, and retirements (RTRs) at this link:
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

In Part 2 of my interview with Sam Toles of CiviSocial, we discuss keyboard warriors and social media terrorists. I offer up my distinction between the two and urge elected officials to exercise more discernment when evaluating online attacks.
We discuss the outsized impact of the minority, whether they are truly engaged and participating in the process, and how spineless elected officials can send demoralizing signals and messages to their staff.
Sam also shares a secret tip he uses to differentiate himself from the competition when competing for jobs. If you are a public sector executive or aspire to become one, you should definitely listen for this little nugget in the first half of the episode. 
SHOW NOTES:
If you are interested in hiring Sam Toles & CiviSocial for social media consulting, you can save 10% between now and December 31st by simply telling him that you are a City Manager Unfiltered listener.
CiviSocial website and LinkedIn page
Sam Toles' LinkedIn page
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Do you have an executive or senior level vacancy in your organization? Use this form/link to submit your job listing in my weekly newsletter for just $100:
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SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly report of city and county manager resignations, terminations, and retirements (RTRs) at this link:
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If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
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Sam Toles is a social media expert having worked for large entertainment companies like Bleacher Report, MGM, and Warner Music, as well as Vimeo. He was also served as an elected councilmember for the California community of Cathedral City.
He is passionate about social media and the public sector, but believes that most communities across the country are doing social media wrong. That is why he launched his new firm, CiviSocial.
In this two part series we are going to discuss why communities are failing, how they can silence the haters, create passionate boosters, and what platforms are trending up and down when it comes to reach and influence.
He also thinks communities that hire consultants to run their social media platforms are wasting their money.
In Part 2, we are going to dive into a discussion about how elected officials get spun up by negative comments on social media and what can be done to minimize their overreaction to the trolls.
We will also announce a special promotional offer for listeners of the podcast in Part 2.
SHOW NOTES:
CiviSocial website and LinkedIn page
Sam Toles' LinkedIn page
SUBMIT JOB POSTING:
Do you have an executive or senior level vacancy in your organization? Use this form/link to submit your job listing in my weekly newsletter for just $100:
https://forms.gle/ceMzWqeLwiRFRAGj9
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly report of city and county manager resignations, terminations, and retirements (RTRs) at this link:
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Patton Township Manager Amy Farkas is passionate about recruiting more women and minorities into the profession of city and county management. In this episode, we talk about the importance of "telling a better story" to attract these candidates.
We also discuss her unique approach to dealing with the stresses of the job through her hobby and what benefits she has been able to transfer over into her professional life as a result.
 
SHOW NOTES:
Amy Farkas' LinkedIn page
SUBMIT JOB POSTING:
Do you have an executive or senior level vacancy in your organization? Use this form/link to submit your job listing in my weekly newsletter for just $100:
https://forms.gle/ceMzWqeLwiRFRAGj9
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly report of city and county manager resignations, terminations, and retirements (RTRs) at this link:
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.