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KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
Thu May 14, 2015, 02:14 PM May 2015

After Female-Dominated Council Takes Over, City Holds Training On How To Deal With Women

Last edited Thu May 14, 2015, 02:53 PM - Edit history (1)

Not The Onion!!

http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/05/13/3658446/female-dominated-council-takes-city-holds-training-deal-women/

When women took over the majority of council seats in Austin, Texas the city manager’s office brought in speakers to advise municipal employees on how to deal with women.

Speaker Jonathan Allen, who was recently fired from his position as city manager of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, spoke about the delicacies of dealing with women in government. He explained that over the last 20 years, the number of women in local government has increased the “diversity” of local government, and that a lot of the women elected are “activists” who don’t have previous experience in government.

As the Austin American-Statesman reported, Allen encouraged patience when answering questions from female councilmembers, expressed that women often don’t want to deal with “the financial argument” on a given issue but rather want to hear about impact on communities, and mentioned that the number of women in local government is at risk of an increase with Hillary Clinton running for president....

“So you see women in positions that you as a city manager, and you as a city administrator, will have to interact with them in a different way than you would have normally interacted with non-diverse leader in that position,” Allen said. “I submit to you that if Hillary Clinton runs — just runs — for the office, you going to see even greater numbers in leadership positions. You’re going to see even greater numbers in positions at the bottom.”


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After Female-Dominated Council Takes Over, City Holds Training On How To Deal With Women (Original Post) KamaAina May 2015 OP
What the huh? Cal Carpenter May 2015 #1
More women running for leadership positions? The horror! Android3.14 May 2015 #2
This reminds me of the confusion in the Congressional Building when they had to...gasp... libdem4life May 2015 #3
After all, a woman's place is in the House KamaAina May 2015 #4
Damn straight! libdem4life May 2015 #12
Congress has always been behind the times. Beacool May 2015 #10
That's what I remember, just forgot who it was. I do understand the wearing of pants...I worked in libdem4life May 2015 #13
I wasn't allowed to wear pants on my first job in a law firm. Beacool May 2015 #18
When I was an outside sales rep in office tech in the late 90s, all men had to wear white shirts libdem4life May 2015 #19
The first time I experienced "Casual Friday" was in a corporation, not a law firm. Beacool May 2015 #20
Yes, because women are so different. Beacool May 2015 #5
I'd love to hear the circumstances surrounding Mr. Allen's recent firing. Sheldon Cooper May 2015 #6
Well, ya know, a lot of people have never actually met a woman, so I guess it's understandable ... Arugula Latte May 2015 #7
I Think You're Thinking Of Klingons ProfessorGAC May 2015 #17
Well obviously us manly man folk need help with this mythology May 2015 #8
Apparently, his way of dealing with women is to get a bigger club and a sturdy gag. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2015 #9
Hard to see why he was fired, he's so "understanding" bigbrother05 May 2015 #11
How about as people? octoberlib May 2015 #14
I read "Female-Dominated Council" and I picture Bill Bennett being told to "bark like a dog" Warren DeMontague May 2015 #15
Nice Guy, Huh? ProfessorGAC May 2015 #16
Anyone that was fired from Lauderdale lakes and took a position in Austin A HERETIC I AM May 2015 #21

Cal Carpenter

(4,959 posts)
1. What the huh?
Thu May 14, 2015, 02:35 PM
May 2015

Fucking what?



Anecdote: In my small city, the only person on our city council who harps on the details of financial stuff is a woman. Because she is AN ACCOUNTANT. Ohmigaaah! A lady can do math.

"a lot of the women elected are “activists” who don’t have previous experience in government."
As if most city council, BoE etc-type politicians have experience in politics when they first start out.....

This is just sexist garbled nonsense.

 

libdem4life

(13,877 posts)
3. This reminds me of the confusion in the Congressional Building when they had to...gasp...
Thu May 14, 2015, 02:57 PM
May 2015

build a Women's Restroom. Oh, two genders, not just one? OK, got it.

This guy is late to the party and better do more than speak nice to the little ladies. If I were them, I'd have his job in my sights...and put a woman in !!!!!

Beacool

(30,244 posts)
10. Congress has always been behind the times.
Thu May 14, 2015, 03:11 PM
May 2015

As someone said, the Senate is the last remaining plantation.

Women senators had no access to the gym, weren't allowed to wear pants on the Senate floor (Hillary would have been ticked off about that one) and had no bathroom on the same floor.

Barbara Mikulski helped to change that after becoming a senator in 1986.

'Mikulski has been a trailblazer in more ways than just on official legislation. When she arrived, she fought to get access to the Senate gym. “They just couldn’t accommodate me and I’m not much of a jock anyway, but that’s where they networked and that’s where they bonded,” Mikulski told CNN. Male senators resisted opening access to the pool because they liked to swim naked.

She was also the first woman to wear pants on the Senate floor. “I’m most comfortable wearing slacks, and well, for a woman to come on the (Senate) floor in trousers was viewed as a seismographic event,” Mikulski told CNN.'

http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/03/02/3628475/longest-serving-female-senator-retires-devote-raising-hell-instead/



 

libdem4life

(13,877 posts)
13. That's what I remember, just forgot who it was. I do understand the wearing of pants...I worked in
Thu May 14, 2015, 04:34 PM
May 2015

a school district...no pants. However, since I had to go to an early morning class up in the hills and hike up to the school, I got a tunic/dress with matching pants. I complained that it was too cold, and they finally said OK. This was about 1970 give or take. The other women were delighted, of course, and that was that. Not as important as the Senate, but a little crack in the glass ceiling.

Beacool

(30,244 posts)
18. I wasn't allowed to wear pants on my first job in a law firm.
Thu May 14, 2015, 05:43 PM
May 2015

That was years after Milkuski became senator. Only support staff, like secretaries and clerks, were permitted to wear pants. Attorneys and paralegals had to wear skirts. Some of us would wear dancer's leg warmers or leggings in winter. When we got to the office we would take them off. Thank goodness that changed shortly after I got to the law firm. Winters in NYC can be very cold.

 

libdem4life

(13,877 posts)
19. When I was an outside sales rep in office tech in the late 90s, all men had to wear white shirts
Thu May 14, 2015, 06:00 PM
May 2015

and suits, women had to wear 2-piece suits with skirts only. They could wear any color blouse. Then, the owner finally relented and we got...Casual Friday...except for the outside team. It was humorous and a running joke between departments and a fine time was had by all, or something like that.

Beacool

(30,244 posts)
20. The first time I experienced "Casual Friday" was in a corporation, not a law firm.
Thu May 14, 2015, 08:17 PM
May 2015

It was a relief, particularly in hot weather. Most companies have become a bit more lax with their dress codes. They still don't want open toed sandals for men, very short skirts and tight clothes on women or jeans; but overall suits are not mandatory in most large corporations. The rules mostly still exist in conservative businesses, such as in the financial sector and law firms.

Beacool

(30,244 posts)
5. Yes, because women are so different.
Thu May 14, 2015, 02:59 PM
May 2015

Their hormones make them emotional, particularly once a month. You don't know what they are liable to do when they have PMS. There's also the fact that they don't want to be called "girls" or have men stare at their lady parts. All this feminism crap has ruined it for men.

Sheldon Cooper

(3,724 posts)
6. I'd love to hear the circumstances surrounding Mr. Allen's recent firing.
Thu May 14, 2015, 03:00 PM
May 2015

The women of Lauderdale Lakes FL are better off for it, I'm sure.

 

mythology

(9,527 posts)
8. Well obviously us manly man folk need help with this
Thu May 14, 2015, 03:03 PM
May 2015

How else could we learn to deal with women's issues like what to do if her bra strap breaks or she gets a run in her hose? Oh and knowing when it's most appropriate to call her toots and give her a smack on the backside so she knows you care.

It's not like women would have other thoughts on their mind like running a government or something.



If you're looking for me, I'll be off slamming my head in the car door to make the pain go away.

bigbrother05

(5,995 posts)
11. Hard to see why he was fired, he's so "understanding"
Thu May 14, 2015, 03:17 PM
May 2015


Have to wonder how long that Austin City Manager will last if that's what passes for helpful.

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)
15. I read "Female-Dominated Council" and I picture Bill Bennett being told to "bark like a dog"
Thu May 14, 2015, 04:41 PM
May 2015

I don't know, I'm just weird that way.

A HERETIC I AM

(24,320 posts)
21. Anyone that was fired from Lauderdale lakes and took a position in Austin
Thu May 14, 2015, 08:24 PM
May 2015

At basically the same level is a professional, traveling douchebag.

The lakes is likely glad to be rid of him.

Austin will figure it out soon enough, hopefully

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