Robert W. Healy

Robert W. Healy is the city manager of Cambridge, Massachusetts and currently the longest-serving, and highest paid,[1] city manager in the history of the city of Cambridge since a change in law went into effect with the 1941 election. He has served from July 1, 1981 to the present (30 years as of 2011). Prior to assuming his current position, Healy initially served as acting city manager from July 1, 1981 to December 14, 1981.

Under the Plan E Charter, the city manager is hired by a simple majority of the nine-member city council and serves "at the pleasure of the City Council." However, Healy has a contract that expires in August 2012.[2]

Criticism

In recent history, the media has highlighted the salary of the City Manager as being one of the highest in the State of Massachusetts.[3][4] The salary is higher than that of the Mayor of the City of Boston,[5][6] some opinion editorials claim his salary is double that of the Governor of Massachusetts,[7][1] or in some instances, almost that of the President of the United States.[8] In February 2011, City Councillor Leland Cheung pushed a policy order that would call for greater transparency in city council contracts for the Office of the City Manager's salary.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b Thomas, Jen (September 2, 2010). "Cambridge city manager tops list of highest paid city workers". Wicked Local: Cambridge. http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/features/x863073207/Cambridge-city-manager-tops-list-of-highest-paid-city-workers. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  2. ^ http://www.rwinters.com/docs/Manager-contract2009.htm
  3. ^ "Cambridge city manager’s pay shows lack of council oversight". The Boston Globe. February 16, 2011. http://articles.boston.com/2011-02-16/bostonglobe/29342942_1_cambridge-residents-salary-oversight. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  4. ^ Walter V. Robinson; Jesse Nankin (February 9, 2011). "Even retired, Cambridge city manager would reap extraordinary rewards". Watchdog New England. Northeastern University. http://nuweb9.neu.edu/watchdognewengland/cambridge-day/even-retired-cambridge-city-manager-would-reap-extraordinary-rewards/. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  5. ^ Meyer, Fred (February 25, 2011). "Healy’s service worth the fat paycheck". The Boston Globe. http://articles.boston.com/2011-02-25/bostonglobe/29342208_1_city-manager-council-service. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  6. ^ City of Cambridge (December 24, 2009). "Robert W. Healy Jr.’s most recent contract". City of Cambridge. Watchdog New England. http://nuweb9.neu.edu/watchdognewengland/Healy2009Contract.pdf. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  7. ^ "A battle closer to home". The Baystate Banner. November 17, 2011. http://www.baystatebanner.com/Editorial51-2011-11-17. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  8. ^ "Cambridge city manager's salary almost as much as Obama's pay". Wicked Local: Cambridge. August 11, 2011. http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/features/x1837730973/Cambridge-city-managers-salary-almost-as-much-as-Obamas. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  9. ^ Levy, Marc (February 27, 2011). "Public should see city manager’s proposed pay, order says". Cambridge Day. http://www.cambridgeday.com/2011/02/27/public-should-see-city-manager%E2%80%99s-proposed-pay-order-says/. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
Political offices
Preceded by
James Leo Sullivan		 City Manager of Cambridge, Massachusetts
July 1, 1981 - present		 Succeeded by
current