The state employee's union is eager to see a fresh face heading the Department of Corrections.
Wednesday the governor nominated Hampton Police Chief Bill Wrenn to become the state's 8th Corrections Commissioner in ten years.
The governor believes Wrenn would improve very strained relations between DOC workers and the administration.
But New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein reports Chief Wrenn's rapport with his employees isn't spotless.
This week, state employee union officials used words like tyrant to describe current Department of Corrections Commissioner Stephen Curry.
Workers have filed about a dozen grievances against the current Commissioner.
Many who work in Corrections complain morale is at an all-time low.
Even though the union has yet to meet with the new nominee Hampton Police Chief Bill Wrenn, that didn't stop them from issuing a press release saying in big bold font:
CORRECTIONAL WORKERS ENCOURAGED BY PROSPECT OF NEW LEADERSHIP; SEA MEMBERS TO MEET WITH NOMINEE
SEA Union President Gary Smith.
3:34 any successful agency depends on a good working relationship with the employees, and that's what we hope to accomplish with Bill Wrenn. And we haven't been able to accomplish it with Commissioner Curry.
But is Chief Wrenn any better than Commissioner Curry when it comes to employee-management relations?
A scan of Hampton Union newspaper clips reveals a trail of tension.
One example is the bumper sticker that started appearing earlier this year.
The sticker read: Hampton Police Department, Too Many Chiefs, Not Enough Indians.
Joe McKittrich, represents the Hampton Police Officers union.
3:50 we have a very strong belief in cops on the street on patrol. As opposed to the chief, who has more of an administrative point of view, and built up an administrative hierarchy....that's a strong disagreement between the chief and the association.
The most common complaint from DOC employees about current Commissioner Curry is his so-called, 'top-down management style.'
Attorney McKittrich says that description fits Chief Wrenn as well.
7:20 I don't think that's fair.
That's Hampton Police Chief Bill Wrenn.
He says an example of his style is how he handled the town cutting his budget by $800,000.
7:40 I made a vow, early on in this whole process, that I cared about every employee, and I was going to do everything I could to save those jobs of the employees who worked for me. In the fire department they couldn't do that...i worked hard trimming my budget, with the goal employees were number one. The other items they went...but the employees were going to have their jobs, their benefits, and I accomplished that.
Governor John Lynch says he likes Chief Wrenn because he can galvanize and excite the workers.
1:38 right now we don't have the motivation that I would like to see among the employees. What we need to have and what Chief Wrenn will bring is that leadership to motivate the people, all in a common direction.
Attorney McKittrich will wait to see if Wrenn could step in and improve employee relations with the Commissioner's office.
17:40 I know there are some chiefs around the state who would be dynamite for that job. Who specialize in that type of thing...what I would like to think that Chief Wrenn has...he's capable of the lessons learned in Hampton, a fresh start and applying those.
Wrenn supporters dismiss trouble between the chief and the union.
Hampton residents have voted down increased budgets for two years in a row.
And people point to strained finances, more than strained relations as the cause for any grousing from the union.
Wrenn, who has thirty plus years on the job, says he believes in his leadership style.
17:15 I try to look at the big picture. Whenever I make these decisions. I communicate. And I listen. And I think those skills and abilities will translate well to the DOC. Yes, even in corrections we will have little issues, or maybe big issues, but if the parties will continue to communicate and treat each other with respect then we will accomplish something.
The Executive Council must vote on the Wrenn nomination.
He needs the support of three councilors.
Right now, he only has firm support from one.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.
