Over a month ago an article in the Contra Costa Times identified that the
City of Concord was going to reorganize and form a department of economic
development.

The City Manager said that the city must combine planning and engineering
functions into a department focused on economic development so the city
can attract new businesses as the recession ends.

First, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Great
Recession ended two years ago. Second while it is great to see a city in
California embracing economic development, you have to ask the rhetorical
question, where have they been the last four years?

The changes can't come soon enough, said City Manager Dan Keen, who said
the staff, is overworked and that morale is shaky.

According to the news article, a councilmember offered to donate $500 from
his campaign account toward staff morale-building activities, and asked his
fellow council members to match him. The morale fund amount rose to $2,000.
Apparently a member of city staff replied "You're up to my bar tab!"