City Manager Jason Gray's ears and eyes were burning Tuesday night as angry citizens jammed into the city council chambers.
The agenda included items on Hank's Texas Grill, Dawgs N Hawgs, Adriatica, Gateway, apartments and housing but it wasn't what was on the program that drew their ire. Lori Loftin sat in the front row and held a sign urging the city council to give the city manager "the axe." A realtor attended her first city council meeting, where she wore a button that said "Say No to Jason Gray."
What stirred up citizens and drew them away from dinner time in their homes? The abrupt Oct. 5 firing of Police Chief Doug Kowalski and the quick naming of replacement Joe Williams.
In citizen's comments, Jolie Williams made her first trip to city hall. She told the council that she was not comfortable with the way Gray handled the firing.
"His actions put you in a very difficult situation," she said. The passionate realtor, who is not related to the new police chief, also created buttons crossing out the city manager. Her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/McKinneySaysNotoJasonGray has attracted more than 200 likes since Oct. 11. The page bills itself as an online "Petition to Inform City Council that Jason Gray must be let go for his actions." Another woman, Lori Loftin, sat on the front row with a homemade sign asking the council to "Give Gray the axe."
The YouTube posting of the change upset some.
"I am appalled and shocked," Juanita Horne said. "Are we so modernized that we fire someone on YouTube? We are becoming more like the city council in Dallas. This was totally out of control and ridiculous."
Jon Dellantonia said the firing was amateurish. He suggested the city manager should be immediately placed on administrative leave and a search needs to begin nationwide for a new chief.
"You have to right the ship, there is a huge credibility gap," Dellantonia said. "This smacks of cronyism,. It can not be tolerated."
Another citizen at Tuesday night's meeting commented that there was no way the city manager posted a video about the firing of Kowalski. However, Gray answered a question in a city statement: "The YouTube video contained the same language that would have been contained in a memo. It was posted so that officers on all shifts could have the information at the same time with absolute consistency. It was sent out from me directly to employees in the department only after I had a personal conversation with Chief Kowalski."
Gray, however, did not write the headline on a YouTube page: "McKinney City Manager Jason Gray Fires the Police Chief Via YouTube." The video: http://youtu.be/ry5OKfA5moI
Horne said the way it was handled did not show respect for the residents of McKinney.
Tracy Rath said, "We are still waiting for a why." Channel 5 took on that question: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/McKinney-City-Manager-Explains-Chiefs-Dismissal-174491151.html
Rath asked, "Does Jason Gray represent the best interests of the City of McKinney?"
Peter Bailey told the council that "Doug Kowalski was good at engaging citizens, and he was good at morale and leadership as McKinney rode the wave and increased in population."
McKinney citizens at the meeting and some council members drew a lecture from the council's Geralyn Kever and David Brooks, who said it was unfair to attack someone who can't talk back, referring to the city manager.
"Everyone on the city council considers public safety our highest priority," Kever said. She said that rational citizens would agree with the reason for the firing if they knew what was presented to the council in executive session by the city manager.
"Give me a leader," Kever said. "We can't talk about it. In terms of the decision, give me someone who sees something that is wrong and acts on it. He saw something that was wrong and said this needed to be changed."
Brooks said that opposition to Gray's decision appeared to be an attack on the city manager - council form of government. The At-Large councilman said that Gray has made five significant changes in city departments besides the change at police chief.
"Not one time did you hear anybody complain," Brooks said, adding so much misinformation has come out about the firing of the 12-year veteran leader of the McKinney police force.
Mayor Brian Loughmiller, Councilman Ray Ricchi and Mayor Pro-Tem Travis Ussery had issued statements a few days before Tuesday's council meeting. Brooks took issue with his fellow council members making statements.
Mayor Loughmiller defended the right to make a statement on a personnel change, saying: "We are following the city charter in doing that."
In the citizen's comment section of the meeting, Jason Burress said, "Mrs. Kever, with all due respect, you imply that if we were all in that room with you, we would all agree with the reason for the firing."
And yet, Burress pointed out, several members of the council stated they had problems with the way the firing was handled.
"They did not buy it," Burress said, adding that Chief Kowalski in fact was the one who was being impugned in public by Kever.
"Chief Kowalski is the one who is essentially being bound by confidentiality," Burress said. "Chief Kowalski was a beloved chief with 12 years of service on the job for the community."
Burress said that he believes because of the importance of the police chief to the city's public safety mission that this personnal decision should have included the council ahead of time.
"The city manager should have apprised the city council - if nothing else," Burress said. "That didn't happen. That is unfortunate."
TEACHABLE MOMENTS
City Manager Jason Gray said that he will learn from the reaction to the firing.
"I appreciate the commentary of the public," Gray told the council Tuesday night. "I will learn to the extent that it is productive."
Gray said, "I will not disclose the reasons" why personnel changes are made. He added that what he does is "truly based on what benefits the entire community. My intent is what is best for this community in the long run, and God willing, for the rest of my career."
Brooks said that he fully supports Gray, and that McKinney was on the right track in adding jobs, corporations, homes and money to the tax base to keep improving the city's quality of life. Brooks said Gray had turned the city around, made improvements in many departments and kept the city on budget.
Brooks said Gray's decisions have moved the city up a rung in quality and away from days when things didn't get done.
"We are not going back to that as long as I am on the council," Brooks said.
Day said, "We charged him [Gray] to manage our city. I never expected we would agree with every decision. We also asked him to manage our economic development. That is not something you normally as the city manager to do. We have a fine city manager, and I support him."
Kever said she was told before Gray's arrival that developers found the city staff difficult to deal with under the last city manager.
"They don't say that anymore," Kever said.
Day said he was encouraged that the McKinney Police Association stands behind their new chief.
Mayor Brian Loughmiller said, "This was a difficult decision. We have to move forward as a community in a positive way."
STOIC NEW CHIEF
New Chief Joe Williams sat silently through charges that he was hired only because he was a crony of the city manager.
Councilman Don Day said, "We believe in giving Chief Joe Williams a chance. He was a fine deputy city manager. He will be a fine police chief. I'm not buying any of that business about cronyism."
Councilman Roger Harris said he supports the city manager's strategy and would support Williams in employing tactics to meet the city's goals. Harris said he was dismayed by what he has read. "The misinformation has been astounding," Harris said. "I can't say enough good things about him [Gray]. In a few years, looking back on what has been accomplished during this bad economy, you will be in awe of what has been accomplished. We live in a truly incredible community."
As for Dawgs N Hawgs, no one attended the public hearing offered by the council Tuesday. The city council passed a motion to continue Dawgs N Hawgs' specific use permit. Items on Adriatica were tabled until the Nov. 6 meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The city council met in executive session to discuss possible litigation with Hank's Texas Grill, which the city has found in violation of code on several items.
MORE COVERAGE
WFAA Channel 8: http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Police-chief-termination-angers-McKinney-residents-174507981.html
NBC 5 http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/McKinney-City-Manager-Explains-Chiefs-Dismissal-174491151.html
Printer-friendly version
Comments
Why did not one person notice Gray hiring Williams as asst. city manager with no qualifications? Did Gray even interview any other people? Exactly what is the relationship between Gray and Williams? Are they involved in a partnership of something on the side? There must be more to this story. These guys have to be involved in something.
McKinney Police Department salaries
http://www.flymckinney.comwww.flymckinney.com/police.aspx?id=4964
Wow, what a great posting this is! As a new member who has just joined this forum, I cannot express how impressed I am with the group of citizens like Lori Loftin that went before the City Council against Gray the City Manager. It all demonstrates the great class of our city in such individuals as Loftin and Rath showing their high level of intelligence in such an approach. There must be no doubts in their mind that our ex-chief must have been the perfect human in carrying out his duties over the 12 years he held the position as McKinney's Police Chief. In doing some on-line research about the department during his time in office, I could only find about two dozen reports of poor police work on the department. With a great record like that, I can readily see why McKinney became number two in the nation. I am getting ready to move out of McKinney. Truthfully I cannot afford to live here anymore because of the high taxes. I will be sure to contact Ms. Loftin to market and sell my home. I have no doubt that she has great real estate skills. I especially was impressed with her creative signs insulting the City Manager. What talent!
b
At Frisco Captain Williams had an affair with Chief Renshaw’s married executive assistant. She divorced her husband and married Williams (is now Williams 6th wife). Renshaw had to re-assign the assistant due to possible complaints of nepotism. When Williams left, she was re-hired as Renshaw’s assistant. "Should be noted Joe Williams was informed that he would not progress further under Chief Renshaw command becuase of simular past actions."
Gray was hired by the City of Celina in March 2007 after working as an Assistant City Manager in Frisco. Gray forced the then Celina Chief Cesare Venegoni to resign in August 2007. Williams was hired by Jason Gray in November 2007 to be Chief of Celina Texas. Williams was the highest paid Chief in the United States at $133,000.00 a year for a city with a population under 6000 and only had 8 employees under his charge, 50 to 60 thousand a year above scale based on population. Gray left Celina in March 2011 to become City Manager of McKinney.
It is worthy to note the Jason Gray put a selection board together for the open Chief position in Celina in 2007. The board was asked to narrow down 20 applicants the Gray had select to 5 finalist. When the board turned in the 5 applicants Joe Williams was not among them. Gray told Celina Police Lieutenant Paul Jones to, “Put it in there.
December, 2010. Celina City council ask Chief Williams why he should be payed such a high salary when several council members have noted that the Patrol Seargent of Celina PD was doing the majority of Chief Williams duties. The next day and with out warning, Chief Williams put the same officer mentioned in the City Council meeting the night before on suspention. Dec 31, 2010 the afore mentioned officer was forced to resign and on his F5 ( Admin dismisal papers for TCLEOS) Reason for termination, " Officers leadership abilities do not mesh with my command Philosophy"
On Monday May 9th, during executive session the City Council ask Williams to take a $30,000.00 a year pay cut. He said he need to think about it. On Tuesday May 10th, he declined. Celina and Williams agreed to part ways, however, Celina had to pay out Williams contract through September 30th, 2011, a contract negotiated and approved by Jason Gray.
On Tuesday May 10th, 2011, long-time assistant city manager of McKinney, Jim Parrish resigned effective immediately and without reason. On Tuesday May 16th, 2011, Joe Williams, hired by Jason Gray without any search for candidate, had his first day in McKinney as a Deputy City Manager for $150,000.00 a year. Williams was placed over human resources, parks and traffic, without any experience concerning those duties.
This is only the tip of the iceberg with this rather bizarre and relationship between Gray and Williams. It would make one wonder what Williams may have on Gray…
As most of you have figured out, or soon will, I know All 3 players in this fiasco. Chief Kowalski was one of my nieghbors, and consider him a good and loyal friend. His integrity, honor, and mosy of all his ability as a police Administraitor has been inpuined. And by who? 2 sawed off, balding punks that can't seem to survive without each other working in the same city longer than a few months.
I worked for Joe williams and Jason Gray in Celina. And have seen the damage the 2 of them have caused that community and Police Department. The 2 of them left both in a shambles as far as moral, effectiviness. I watch Joe Williams call a fellow Officer an F***ing Idiot in front of Citizens and other officers, and did the same to more than one citizen complainig about one thing or another. Also I watched Jason Gray tell Celina City Counsil that he was city manager and he can do what ever he wanted via the city Charter.
Now friends, I dont know about you, but does McKinney want that kind of arrogence from its Admin people? I dare say not. The citizens of McKinney expect a little more from the City Manager as well as the Top Cop.
Mark my words well friends, Those 2 are a cancer McKinney just doesnt need at this time nor do they want the possible ineptitude these 2 bring to the table. I encourage all of you to do your own home work and seek out public records of these 2 employee files at Celina and Frisco. I think ya'll will be shocked at what you find.
Mayor and Council supports Cronyism? Through the inaction of the majority of Mayor and Council, excluding, Mayor Loughmiller, Mr. Ricchi and Mr. Ussery, the Council is supporting cronyism.
After reading everything possible on this subject, it is clearly the perogative of City Manager Gray to hire and fire employees. The city chartger clearly spells this out = regardless of whether or not citizens believe the termination was warranted.
What is most incredulous is that the Mayor and Council, one who has espoused transparency at city hall, is by defacto, supporting cronynism. Regardless of how successful City Manager Gray has been changing culture, economic development, etc., this does not give him the right to practice cronynism. It is clearly an unethical practice.
I wonder where the three council members stand on Mr. Gray after each of them has requested a open recruiting process for the chief of police position. It seems to me that the city manager has "flipped" them off.
Mr. Brooks spoke about upholding the council manager form of government last night. How about upholding the form of government based on best practices and ethical principles?
Again, City Manager Gray has the right to hire and fire employees (though we know the reason was to make room for Joe Williams). Isn't it Mayor and Council's obligation to require an open recruiting process? How in the world can any professional organization condone such practice?
Putting the Kowalski firing fiasco aside for a moment, I would like to know -
What qualifications and experiences in city government management, did Williams have to be hired, without a search for any other applicant, as an Assistant City Manager?
From available accounts, the Celina Police Chief prior to Williams, was paid $65,000 a year. Under Gray, as I understand it, Williams was brought over from Frisco and appointed as Chief (No search there either?), and was subsequently paid $134,000 a year by 2011. For a community of under 7,000? That $134,000 surpasses so many larger cities, I was shocked to learn that. (The median salary for such a position in comparable communities, can be found around Texas to be around $83,000.)
Gray has stated that a search for a new McKinney Police Chief may not be needed, because he already knows Williams is the best man for the job. Really? Without searching ALL the prospects out there (including Law Enforcement Officers I know), how can anyone say that? That speaks volumes to me!
I don't know what Chief Kowalski's salary was, but we need to watch what Gray does with Williams salary! $134,000 for a community of under 7,000? What on earth will Williams be paid for a city of 140,000? Will Gray double Kowlaski's salary too? Even if matching William's 2011 CPD salary of $134,000, I could see a LOT of qualified applicants for the MPD Chief position!
Justifed, or not, the way the whole MPD Chief situation has been handled, is very curious, and even suspicious.
As for Joe Williams, he may be a very good Law Enforcement Officer. I hope for McKinney, that is found to be true. But the situation he has been put in, shaddows those possible qualities with suspicion. It actually would have been better for him, had he competed with other professionals, and then found to be the top applicant.
Eagle3187,
Thank you so much for sharing this information. I am wondering if there is any proof or statements to back up the increase in salary for Williams as the Chief of Police in Celina? That would be very interesting if we had factual information to back up this statement to share on the fb page, McKinney Says no to Jason Gray. www.facebook.com/McKinneySaysNotoJasonGray.
cities publish salaries for city employees (or they did when i was a city employee). so celina should have a public record.
Thank you. I will have to reach out to some of those who have asked about helping. Many of whom have an expertise searching through public records.