Reinelt breezes to confirmation

July 3 -- Port Director Eric Reinelt last week breezed to reappointment to his job on a 13-2 Common Council vote.

There was no debate on the issue. The only two aldermen opposed to his reappointment were Joe Dudzik and Robert Donovan, who also voted Reinelt when his reappointment was before the Public Works Committee.

Port director's performance questioned by panel

June 25 -- Port Director Eric Reinelt failed to win a recommendation from a Common Council committee that he be reappointed to his post.

Even one of his supporters said the port was running on "autopilot," while a detractor said Weinelt is an "empty shell."

The Public Works Committee sent Reinelt's name to the full council without recommendation, after a vote to recommend his reappointment ended in a 2-2 tie.

Ald. Joe Dudzik said Reinelt's answers to questions about using a city-assigned SUV for personal business were "insulting to every city employee."

Reinelt said in 2005, when the personal-use issue camp up, the the rules on the matter were vague, but that he would give up the city car. Reinelt was acting port director at the time.

Dudzik said he recently reported a Water Works employee using city equipment for his personal business.

"Using the thought process that put Mr. Reinelt at the head of the port, the gentleman from the Water Works should be promoted," Dudzik said.

"It's unfortunate this department head seems to be little more than a shell," he said.

Ald. Robert Bauman, who voted in favor of Reinelt's reappointment, said the port was running on autopilot.

"There is a significant opportunity lost there," Bauman said.

"I think the port is run well within the confines of the goals being set. I think the goals could be set much, much higher," he said.

Mayor Tom Barrett may be the one who should be setting golas, Bauman said.

"There are very competent people working there," he said. "I'm not sure they are being challenged from the top and I'm not sure it's the port director's job to do the challenging. Maybe it is. That's a judgment call."

Responded Reinelt: "If there a need to change the direction of the port, that would be a policy decision and we would be fully cooperative in implementing it."