Letter to the Editor: Let’s get this right

Let’s get this right

I think the Claremont City Council, before it begins to look at candidates, needs to do a lot of self reflection. The turnover in the city manager position the last five years has not been ideal nor has it been in any way productive for the city. I think it needs to be examined why the city finds itself in this position over and over after a long term period of stability.

The council needs to examine the clear lines between the council and city manager and make sure that is properly communicated with each candidate. I’ve seen a period where I feel the council or namely the mayor has way overstepped what the traditional role of a mayor in a city manager run city should be. I cannot help but think this has led to the constant turnover that the city has seen.

I think they also need to examine what type of candidate we are searching for and are attracted to. If Claremont wants to be a stepping stone job to bigger and better positions, then let’s set the expectations such. But if they are looking for long-term stability then they need to find out what questions they have not been asking or what qualities they have not been looking for because obviously something is not working.

I don’t always feel that someone following the career track of local city government or city management is always the right answer. I think it’s time to consider candidates that are out of the box, non-traditional that bring experience to the table in other areas that are relevant to the position, and ideas that typically are not born in a public management career.

The city has so much potential and at times has seemed to have a lot of momentum and it’s just a shame that when that begins to happen, all things halt because we need to take four to six months to find another city manager and then allow another five or six months for that person to get used to the job. Every time we change managers I feel the city loses a year of time that it could be moving forward.

One voice that also seems to be forgotten in the selection process is that of the city staff. I strongly urge that citizens are given a voice in this choice but I think city staff needs to be heard as well because honestly, they are the ones that bear the brunt of having to fill the gaps with no manager in place.

Jeff Goff is a resident of Nashville, Tenn., and a former member of the Claremont City Council.