Farewell Message from Frank Fairbanks
Posted on 05. Nov, 2009 by Steve Ryan in News
The following farewell message was sent by Frank Fairbanks via city email to all City of Phoenix employees. It was one of his last acts as City Manager. Dated November 5th, he writes:
It is very sad for me to be sending my last message to you. I have truly enjoyed working with you. You have supported me during tough times and given me joy during our victories. We have done great things together.
I have always believed that regardless of position, the work of each City employee is just as important as the work of any other. Some of us work with our hands and some with our ears and voices. Some of us work outside and others work in offices. Some of us work directly with the public and some of us serve other City workers. But all of us contribute equally to making our community a better place to live.
One of our weaknesses is that we don’t celebrate our successes enough. We focus on getting the job done well today and figuring out ways to do the job better, easier, faster and with less cost. Now we must do more with fewer workers and we focus on doing all we can.
But I want to take a minute to thank you for making Phoenix the best City in the country. The city of Phoenix is outstanding. We often are visited by cities across the country and around the world to find out how we do it. Most of our departments are among the very best departments of their type in the country. We are the leading innovators in local government. We are the best!
I am so proud of, and humbled by, our success. This success is not because of me, it is because of you. Our success is because of our teamwork.
Our team begins with the community. Our residents are the reason we are here. Today, more than ever, they are our partners in everything we do.
The Mayor and City Council are the leaders of our team. Over the years I’ve worked with excellent mayors and city councils, and Mayor Phil Gordon and the current City Council are among the very best. The Mayor is incredibly energetic and creative. The City Council is dedicated to making this a better community. They work a huge number of hours to achieve excellence. All of them care deeply about City employees. I thank them all for the tremendous support, patience and partnership they have shown me personally.
I know you will support David Cavazos as your new City Manager. He will do such good work that in a year or so, they will say “Frank who?”
Yet I really believe that the future of the City is as much in your hands as his. It is your commitment to serving the public, innovation, teamwork and integrity that will build the future. It is your work that will create excellence. I have faith in David and in each of you.
I also believe that one of the most important things we can do is to support and care for one another. I regret that the tough times are not over. But I am confident that a better future is coming. Until then, it is especially important that we all support each other.
Before I go, I want to apologize if I have done anything that is insensitive or uncaring or if I have done anything to harm you in any way. I want you to know that it was never my intention.
The last thing I want to say is Thank You . It has been wonderful working with you. It has been great to reach the heights working hand in hand. More importantly, many days when I was down, you put a smile on my face and hope in my heart.
We have been a band of sisters and brothers dedicated to serving the community. I am proud to have worked along side you.
Thank you!
–Frank
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