THE WATER COOLER FROM FACEBOOK. COM/STATESMAN
Austin Assistant City Manager Anthony Snipes has resigned following widespread criticism and national media attention over a training session he organized that focused on how to work with the female-majority City Council. The training included comments that were widely perceived to be sexist and stereotypical comments about women.
Kristen Kealapono: Seems to me that the city manager should resign, not his assistant.
Bob Blair: Too bad. I think it was a good plan with poor execution. When there is a massive change in the makeup of the council — as there was this year — it makes sense to introduce the new members to the city administrators they will be interacting with. Couching it as “here’s how to work with women” was not the right emphasis, but I’m still not clear whether that characterization was Snipes’ or the Statesman’s.
Marion Mlotok: Thrilled to hear it.
Rolando Estrada: How about a training class in not wasting taxpayer money? Now that would be a good one for all city of Austin employees to attend.
Larry Ybarra: It’s amazing how only one person resigned. Who else knew of this meeting and its content? An assistant does not do anything without approval from his supervisor?
Nancy Powell Redic: Anthony Snipes was simply trying to promote good communication. He was a scapegoat!