City could suffer from lack of experienced leadership

But these qualities dont appear to be of primary concern as a relatively new Texarkana, Texas, City Council continues down an awkward path.

Simply put, three of the six City Council members have less than one year of service.

Ward 3 City Council Member Brent Stewart was appointed to his post on Sept. 25 after Bill Schubert relocated.

At the time, Stewart stood out because he actually campaigned for the spot, though he wasnt Schuberts choice as a successor.

However, Stewarts tenacity and gung-ho attitude paid off as he was appointed to Schuberts unexpired term.

Ward 5 Council Member Stephen Mayo and Ward 6 Council Member George Nuckolls came on board within five days of each other, but under different circumstances.

Mayo was appointed on May 8 to replace outgoing council member Van Alexander, who still had one year left on his term. Next month, Mayo faces a three-way election for the post.

In Ward 6, Bradley Hardins post was up for election last year but he opted not to seek re-election and Nuckolls ran for the post unopposed and was sworn in May 13.

Ward 4 Council Member Bob Bruggeman was appointed to his post on June 27, 2005, meaning he has less than two years on the council.

Rounding out the council are Ward 1 Council Member Derrick McGary and Ward 2 Council Member Willie Ray, both of whom have more than 10 years on the council.

Last week, Ray visited our offices to drop off some information for next months election.

As she passed my desk, I exchanged the usual pleasantries with her.

I followed up by asking her what the council was going to do about the police chief situation.

She literally ran from my desk to the elevator. It was amusing but troubling at the same time given she is one of the more tenured members of the council.

Mayor James Bramlett has about 12 years experience on the council but its evident hes lost influence with the council.

While he only votes to break a tie, he certainly isnt in the favored faction as he publicly supports Texarkana, Texas, City Manager George Shackelford and Shackelfords recommendation last month of Capt. Joe Bunting for police chief.

The next few weeks should offer some clarity on a lot of issues.

City Council members appear on the cusp of dismissing Shackelford, who has been the city manager for 17 years, and appointing an interim city manager.

Both items are on tonights meeting agenda.

There are undisclosed differences in the rift between Shackelford and the council.

With Shackelfords departure, I believe theres a different power base emerging on the council and bigger changes are ahead.

I believe there will be some significant personnel changes in city hall in the coming months.

However, whether Mayo and Ray remain on the council is up to voters next month as they both face challengers.

An ordinance to continue the Police Chief of the Month Club through July is also on Mondays agenda.

In all fairness, it was Shackelford who set up the rotating monthly schedule allowing the departments four captains to serve one month as chief in a rotation.

It had advantages because it would allow the captains to learn and grow and even let them see if they would like to apply for the position on a full-time basis, Shackelford said last summer.

As a result, Bunting tossed his hat in the ring for the position.

However, the city has been fortunate a major crime event has not occurred during this rotation. At the very least, it must be frustrating for the police officers, as preferred methods of doing things or philosophies change each month depending on who is at the helm.

I dont believe Bunting will ultimately get the police chief job. If he had a reasonable chance, I dont think the council would be considering the extension of the interim chief rotation through July.

If the council ultimately wanted Bunting as the citys full-time police chief, the good faith effort would be to name him the sole interim chief until the controversy dissipates.

Instead, I believe the council will go outside the department in naming a police chief.

The police chief issue aside, the departure of Shackelford isnt well timed as budget preparations will begin in earnest in the coming weeks.

Even before the Texas-side restaurant and retail boon, Shackelford was well known for his work with the budget. His red pen and multiple budget drafts, asking department heads to cut cut cut, were not popular but the city is better for it.

I wonder if the interim city manager will bring similar qualities to the table?

At least the citys finance director is on board.

The citys budget is flirting with the $30 million mark so the budget is not for the faint of heart to prepare.

Experience?

Its gone or going out the window on so many levels.

Time will tell if the city moves forward or suffers a setback as a result of the changes.

Motivational writer Og Mandino once wrote something to the effect that experience was overrated and wasted on old men, and what they learned from experience was diminished by the time it took to acquire it.

George Shackelford, Joe Bunting, and a lot citizen-observers would take exception to that assessment.

But the way things are unfolding, and the way the experience quota has fallen for the citys sake youve got to hope Mr. Mandino is right.