Former board member responds to column

Ethel Channons column, printed in the April 29 edition of the Texarkana Gazette, was an enjoyable article with many comments and suggestions. Although many of Channons comments are accurate and I agree with some of her conclusions, she made several erroneous statements or assumptions not supported by the facts. Because she raised the issues related to both cities, I will address recent comments printed in the Gazette concerning each city.

Texarkana, Ark.: As a former board member for Texarkana, Ark., I was present during many of the meetings and negotiations where efforts were made to resolve or improve the financial condition of the city. At the time of my appointment the economic situation and resulting financial condition were poor. The board under the leadership of Mayor Shipp and with guidance and planning from City Manager Charles Nickerson pursued a plan to improve the financial security of the city. These efforts are starting to show positive results as the city returns to fiscal soundness.

A Channon comment about ‘guys who cant balance a budget ... then studying how a new sales tax might go over ... is correct. She, as did Christy Busby in her article about ‘Texarkana’ made an incorrect assumption by combining two separate facts. While attempting to research the economic effect from the differences in the types and rates of taxation that apply to each city, I was unable to obtain definitive information. I discussed the problem with the mayor, city manager and the finance director but after the discussions was still unable to have a clear understanding. From these initial questions that were asked in November 2005, Nickerson suggested the economic study, which would help develop information to market Texarkana, Ark., more effectively. The board felt that it was less expensive to live on the Arkansas side but did not have conclusive detail supporting that assumption. Therefore, the study was to include research on the effects of the different taxation structures. Increasing the sales tax was never discussed during these conversations.

At a later time, the city established a finance committee made up of many civic-minded citizens with varied financial and business related skills. One product of this committee was a long list of suggested ways that the city might increase revenue to improve the financial condition. One of the many items on the list was the citys ability to increase the sales tax. The committee did not recommend a sales tax increase but did inform the board that it was an option the board could consider. In finalizing the budget, the board approved some of the committees recommendations but never gave serious consideration to increasing the sales tax. The entire board felt that the sales tax rate should not be raised. The Gazettes editorials tying these issues together are perpetuating a false impression.

As to Chief Harrison, he is an excellent police chief and a passionate supporter of his department. The board never considered failing to renew Harrisons contract. Furthermore, the mayor strongly stated that the city must retain Harrison for his leadership during these difficult times. My only disagreement with Harrison was that he was serving as the spokesman for the police association, which I felt was a conflict with his job as a department head (part of management). He withdrew as spokesman and his leadership contributed to resolving the pay issues although no one involved was totally happy. I disagree with Channons statement that the boards action in resolving the parity pay issue and the withdrawal of the citizens lawsuit can be termed, ‘the board tucked its tail. The correct description should be that the board faced the brutal facts and did the right thing.

Texarkana, Texas: The Gazette printed many editorials and readers letters complaining about the Texarkana, Texas, City Councils handling of the police chief/city manager issue. I express no opinion on the facts of the disputes or the people involved, but only on the process. The councils primary responsibilities are to set strategic policy and to oversee the citys business. If management is not aligned with the policy of the council and its misalignment becomes a personnel problem, then the proper place for further discussions is in executive sessions. It is improper to disclose the details of these sessions in public. No bright line exists defining where a council quits setting policy and enters into managements area of responsibility. An involved council or board accepts these duties and proceeds forward. The Texarkana, Texas, City Council should be commended for handling unpleasant tasks responsively and ethically, not condemned.

Weldon Johnson

Texarkana, Ark.

Candidate speaks out

This is to proclaim a great victory for Texarkana. What I mean by that statement is that I have lost a battle (my recent political race for City Council) but we are winning the war. After several discussions with my former opponent, Mr. Steve Mayo, he has agreed to embrace and help accomplish the goals and ideas I put forth in our race. I was pleasantly surprised to find he had actually already done so on many of these issues. I am very thankful and honored to have all the people who supported me against such an outstanding and worthy opponent. I am even more thankful that Mr. Mayo and I are now good friends and we can both move forward in our mutual goal of helping our city be the best it can be.

A number of people came out to support me, just to show they do not support what has been happening recently on the City Council. One of my main campaign issues was openness, transparency and accountability of our city government. It is mandated and required by both federal and state law. Up until I brought this fact to the councils attention about a month ago, they had been breaking the spirit of the law, if not the letter of the law. Allegedly, our former city manager, George Shackelford, and our city attorney, Tom Arnold, had been misleading our City Council on this point. Mr. Arnold should have known better. We pay him good money to advise our council correctly on legal issues.

Because of the new open, transparent and accountable direction our City Council is going, I want to be the first of their most vocal critics to announce my thankfulness and support to them for starting to do the job they have all sworn to do. In the Shackelford case, I dont approve of the way they did it, but in my opinion, after knowing the facts, what they did needed to be done. I think our whole community should be thankful that Mr. Mayo, Mr. Stewart, Ms. Ray and Mr. McGary stood firm in the face of tremendous adversity to force Mr. Shackelford to resign. After knowing what I know now, I am disappointed in the other two council members for continuing to support a man who apparently was a good city manager when he was hired but had allegedly become insubordinate to the City Council who are our officials elected to run the city.

I did not enter this race to hold an office. My goal from day one was to implement change for the improvement of our city. I even spoke to the council, imploring them to do the right things so I would not have to run. We as a city need to continually fight discrimination, double standards and hypocrisy. Hopefully, the council will continue on the road of open, transparent and accountable city government, eliminate such bad and/or unlawful ordinances as the lockbox ordinance, cut our city property tax rate to where we can honestly say to the world, ‘We may not be perfect but look at all we have to offer.

I want to assure my supporters that I will continue to be a watchdog of our City Council. I will strive to be the City Councils greatest supporter when they do what is right, and their greatest adversary when they are wrong. Thank you, Texarkana, for becoming a city in which I am increasingly happy to be a citizen. Knowing that we will never fully attain perfection, we must never stop trying. Please make a small effort to thank the four council members on the courage they had to do what was right in the end. They withstood a lot of adversity and took a lot of heat in doing what was right for the city. They dont always make the best choices for us, but this time they did. We need to all give them the encouragement and support they will continue to do so.

Robert Worthen

Texarkana, Texas