It’s time for Shawnee city commissioners to exert real leadership. They must focus on the priorities citizens have helped identify, seek to bring consensus and compromise, especially as the city transitions through a period without a permanent city manager.
While sitting as the entire commission they may provide guidance and direction to acting city manager Phyllis Loftis, but they should leave her alone individually.
Communication should come from the commission in the form of consensus from all seven, not just one or two.
Citizens have a role in this as well.
They should demand that commissioners focus on priorities, and that civility among the seven is the norm. Spirited debate on the issues is appropriate.
Consensus doesn’t mean total agreement on everything, it simply points to the commission acting reasonably and a willingness to move forward on decisions commissioners make regarding priorities.
The city should be focused on the priorities citizens have identified, and among the top three are water, infrastructure, (streets included) and education. Add to these improving rail service in this area and quality of life issues.
Dealing with water, infrastructure, education, rail and ensuring quality of life should be quite enough.
While there may be some immediacy to begin the search for a new city manager, all seven commissioners should be involved in the process of determining what type of candidates they desire to replace Jim Collard, who they fired Monday night in a 7-0 vote.
Some commissioners indicated during the meeting they want to go in another direction. Citizens should be made aware of what that direction is, what all it entails.
Loftis is capable of holding it together until commissioners do a thorough search. We’d suggest that commissioners wait until after the upcoming elections to begin screening any candidates, and they allow the new commission to make any final decision after they are all sworn in during November.
Commissioners have enough to focus their attention on, or at least they should, as the city moves through the transition.
And in mentioning the elections, citizens would be wise to watch, study and quiz all of the candidates to determine who is best for the various commission posts up for grabs.
Citizens should ensure the new commissioners are willing to focus on the issues and priorities already identified, and work toward real solutions, rather than just providing lip service. That is the only way Shawnee will grow and prosper.
Mike McCormick may be reached at 214-3822 or michael.mccormick@news-star.com
