Laura Hagg walks across the Capital Avenue Bridge before the start of the Kentucky State University Homecoming Parade in this 2022 State Journal file photo.
Less than 24 hours after the city commission met, City Manager Laura Hagg submitted her letter of resignation to elected leaders.
“When I took this position, I was committed to my hometown and wanted to stay to see through this Commission’s vision for growth and pandemic recovery. At this juncture, however, this is untenable when there is a lack of respect for the City Manager form of government," Hagg stated in a brief email.
Laura Hagg walks across the Capital Avenue Bridge before the start of the Kentucky State University Homecoming Parade in this 2022 State Journal file photo.
I thought Ms. Hagg did a great job as city manager .The lights have dimmed in the city because of the obstacles that kept her from doing what she was hired for.Madam City Manager You will be missed!
What are you basing your “great job” on? What specifically are you referring to as “the obstacles that kept her from doing what she was hired for.” I was hoping that maybe Hagg could be replaced by “Penny Leaflet” for her hard work. “Ment Penny Peavler”.
Being a county resident, I don't have a dog in this fight - but I respect the views of the city manager who was in the position and who has offered her opinions of the situation in her resignation.
If she is going to make those kinds of vague allegations, it would be more beneficial to see a lot more specificity and details. She is tarring the whole BoC.
Well stated, but IMHO I don’t think lack of ambition was ever Hagg’s problem, in fact, the opposite was true. I don’t think that anybody on the BoC would accuse her of being “humble enough to respect the needs and wishes of the BoC and our community”. She fought them tooth and nail. Apparently, she talks the talk about helping them achieve their economic development goals, but then when in power, kept pushing the failed policies from the past, like her abiding support for the CEO of KCDC, who has lost jobs since her tenure here.
Commissioner Katrisha Waldridge was correct all along in her no vote to hire Hagg. The appointed City Manager does not establish policy for our community, that is for our elected officials who are directly accountable to those elected them. The CM works for the BOC to implement this policy, not vice versa…a concept that Hagg never could accept because of her ego. This ain’t the UN. Apparently, she ran City Hall like an oligarchy, which I feel certain was untenable for the BOC.
She led the charge to kick out Commissioner Thompson in a improper kangaroo court proceeding because he dared to question the efficacy of the antics of the CEO of KCDC. The people quickly rectified that erroneous act at the next election. Now that Hagg and Wells are both gone, maybe now the BOC and FCFC can finally address this serious KCDC problem. I say, good riddance!
She is correct about one thing; you cannot have a sitting Board of Commission interfering with the individual who was hired to run the city at 160,000 dollars a year. We have to decide if this is the system we want? Maybe it is time to re-evaluate this 'City Manager' form of government. Here we are again, and again, I must ask....we have an individual who was given the title of 'Assistant City Manager'; the last time there was an interim period without a City Manager the BoC chose not to fill the interim seat with her and appoint someone else.
If the Police or Fire Chief retires, don't we designate the Assistant Chief to that role until a new Chief is hired?
So you think the $ 160,000 puts the CM on a pedestal to never question and only admire?
That’s the problem in America where these overpaid personnel like CEOs , bankers and others think of themselves and others think of them as a higher being to worship because of $$$$$$$.
Brilliance doesn’t manifest itself because of $$$$ although the good Lord knows that politicians think it can be bought.
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I thought Ms. Hagg did a great job as city manager .The lights have dimmed in the city because of the obstacles that kept her from doing what she was hired for.Madam City Manager You will be missed!
What are you basing your “great job” on? What specifically are you referring to as “the obstacles that kept her from doing what she was hired for.” I was hoping that maybe Hagg could be replaced by “Penny Leaflet” for her hard work. “Ment Penny Peavler”.
I know some on the BoC won’t be missing Hagg!
Being a county resident, I don't have a dog in this fight - but I respect the views of the city manager who was in the position and who has offered her opinions of the situation in her resignation.
If she is going to make those kinds of vague allegations, it would be more beneficial to see a lot more specificity and details. She is tarring the whole BoC.
They need to hire a CM that’s not over paid and past their prime or using it as a ego trip stepping stone ?
Seems to me that someone requiring an honest wage - hungry , ambitious person in their prime would be sought .
Some one humble enough to respect the needs and wishes of the BoC and our community?
There are people out there like that aren’t there ? The BoC doesn’t need to be conned into making bad decisions. My opinion.
Well stated, but IMHO I don’t think lack of ambition was ever Hagg’s problem, in fact, the opposite was true. I don’t think that anybody on the BoC would accuse her of being “humble enough to respect the needs and wishes of the BoC and our community”. She fought them tooth and nail. Apparently, she talks the talk about helping them achieve their economic development goals, but then when in power, kept pushing the failed policies from the past, like her abiding support for the CEO of KCDC, who has lost jobs since her tenure here.
Commissioner Katrisha Waldridge was correct all along in her no vote to hire Hagg. The appointed City Manager does not establish policy for our community, that is for our elected officials who are directly accountable to those elected them. The CM works for the BOC to implement this policy, not vice versa…a concept that Hagg never could accept because of her ego. This ain’t the UN. Apparently, she ran City Hall like an oligarchy, which I feel certain was untenable for the BOC.
She led the charge to kick out Commissioner Thompson in a improper kangaroo court proceeding because he dared to question the efficacy of the antics of the CEO of KCDC. The people quickly rectified that erroneous act at the next election. Now that Hagg and Wells are both gone, maybe now the BOC and FCFC can finally address this serious KCDC problem. I say, good riddance!
She is correct about one thing; you cannot have a sitting Board of Commission interfering with the individual who was hired to run the city at 160,000 dollars a year. We have to decide if this is the system we want? Maybe it is time to re-evaluate this 'City Manager' form of government. Here we are again, and again, I must ask....we have an individual who was given the title of 'Assistant City Manager'; the last time there was an interim period without a City Manager the BoC chose not to fill the interim seat with her and appoint someone else.
If the Police or Fire Chief retires, don't we designate the Assistant Chief to that role until a new Chief is hired?
So you think the $ 160,000 puts the CM on a pedestal to never question and only admire?
That’s the problem in America where these overpaid personnel like CEOs , bankers and others think of themselves and others think of them as a higher being to worship because of $$$$$$$.
Brilliance doesn’t manifest itself because of $$$$ although the good Lord knows that politicians think it can be bought.
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State-Journal.com’s comments forum is for civil, constructive dialogue about news topics in our community, state, nation and world. We emphasize “civil” at a time when Americans, in the words of the current president, need to “turn down the temperature” of political debates. The State Journal will do its part by more carefully policing this forum. Here are some rules that all commenters must agree to follow:
Absolutely no attacks on other commenters, on guest columnists or on authors of letters to the editor. Our print and online opinion pages are sacred marketplaces of ideas where diverse viewpoints are welcome without fear of retribution. You may constructively critique the ideas and opinions of others, but name-calling, stereotyping and similar attacks are strictly prohibited.
Leeway will be given for criticism of elected officials and other public figures, but civility is essential. If you focus your criticism on ideas, opinions and viewpoints, you will be less likely to run afoul of our commenting rules.
Keep comments focused on the article or commentary in question. Don’t use an article about the Frankfort City Commission, for example, to rant about national politics.
Hyperpartisanship that suggests anyone on the other side of an issue or anyone in a particular particular party is evil is not welcome. If you believe that all Democrats are socialists intent on destroying America or that all Republicans are racists, there are lots of places on the internet for you to espouse those views. State-Journal.com is not one.
No sophomoric banter. This isn’t a third-grade classroom but rather a place for serious consumers of news to offer their reactions and opinions on news stories and published commentary.
No consumer complaints about individual businesses. If you’ve had a bad experience with a private business or organization, contact the Better Business Bureau or the government agency that regulates that business. If you believe the actions of a private business are newsworthy, contact us at news@state-journal.com and we will consider whether news coverage is merited.
Absolutely no jokes or comments about a person’s physical appearance.
No promotion of commercial goods or services. Our outstanding staff of marketing consultants stands ready to help businesses with effective advertising solutions.
If you state facts that have not been previously reported by The State Journal, be sure to include the source of your information.
No attacks on State Journal staff members or contributing writers. We welcome questions about, and criticism of, our news stories and commentary but not of the writers who work tirelessly to keep their community informed. Corrections of inaccurate information in news stories should be sent to news@state-journal.com rather than posted in the comments section.