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The state's Local Finance Board voted on
May 10 to place the City of Camden under state financial supervision
following a ruling by a state Superior Court judge that Camden
exhibited "gross failure" to adhere to state fiscal
laws.
Academy Fellow Sylvester Murray, who has
participated in financial rescues in Washington, D.C., and
other U.S. cities, will serve a lead role in working with
the state's supervision team to return fiscal stability to
Camden. Murray is an urban public management program director
at Cleveland State University. Academy President Robert J.
O'Neill, Jr., also will play a key role in the effort.
Community Affairs Commissioner Kenny said
the Academy's involvement in the Camden supervision would
bring a fresh perspective to the city's challenges and shortcomings.
"Sy Murray, Bob O'Neill and the Academy have an excellent
track record in helping governments find unique solutions
to their problems," said Kenny. "The state is fortunate
to have their support as we work to put Camden back on its
financial feet. The Academy will be an integral part of our
strategy to be bold and creative in our approach to reform."
Also enthusiastic about the opportunity to effect change,
Murray stated, "I look forward to the challenge of helping
the City of Camden return to sound fiscal health."
Murray brings to the table more than 20
years of experience as a senior municipal administrator, management
consultant, and university program director. His managerial
specialties include budgeting and finance, labor relations,
economic development and operations improvement. He has served
as the city manager of Cincinnati, San Diego, and Ann Arbor,
Michigan. As city manager in Cincinnati from 1979 to
1985, Murray helped engineer the financial
rebound of the city's downtown business
and waterfront areas. More recently, he worked as a consultant
in the ongoing fiscal turnaround in Washington, D.C.
O'Neill is a nationally recognized leader
in government reinvention, innovation, and performance-based
management at the state and local levels. He was formerly
county executive of Fairfax County, Virginia, and city manager
of Hampton, Virginia.
Murray and Academy staff will work closely
with the state supervision team headed by Ulrich "Al"
Steinberg, director of the Division of Local Government Services.
The Academy team also will rely on assistance
as needed from the organization's 500 Fellows, including current
and former Cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors,
mayors, legislators, diplomats, business executives, public
managers, and scholars.
The Academy is an independent, non-partisan
organization chartered by Congress to assist federal, state,
and local governments in improving their effectiveness, efficiency,
and accountability. It was formed in 1967 as a national institution
dedicated to the public good. Federal agencies, Congress,
state and local governments, and education and philanthropic
institutions frequently seek the Academy's assistance in addressing
both short-term and long-term challenges, including budgeting
and financing, alternative corporate structures, performance
measurement, human resources management, information technology,
devolution, strategic planning, and managing for results.
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