Maybe "Czar" isn't the best title...

The Star reports this morning that City Manager Wayne Cauthen has presented plans to restructure the housing department. Part of that plan appears to be aligning it with the City Planning department. Hopefully this means we will stop turning entire blocks into low quality "projects" and start using some common sense when it comes to subsidized housing. I am encouraged to hear the City is seeking to hire a "rental property czar." I'm not crazy about the title but I guess it's better than "der housen fuhrer." I dig the uniform though! I seem to remember reading something about putting someone in charge of monitoring rental properties. Even maintaining a detailed database on property status, ownership, tennants, etc. Oh yeah, I remember now. I read it here. I sincerely hope Mr. Cauthen looks inward first. We have some excellent people working in City Hall and promoting from within is a great way to show faith in your organization and improve morale. I know it will be tempting to dig out the City of Denver directory and make a couple of calls, but I have met and worked with plenty of City employees who are smart, dedicated and deserve a chance to move up.