“It’s inherently unfair to criticize the city manager when he can’t defend himself due to confidentiality laws. I’m disappointed in that,” Councilmember Geralyn Kever (Dist. 2) said during the comments portion of Tuesday night’s meeting of the McKinney City Council.
Citizens packed council chambers at city hall Tuesday, during the meeting, many hoping to hear an explanation as to the management of the Oct. 5 firing of former Chief of Police Doug Kowalski. Kowalski had been in that role for 12 years.
Kever, as well as Councilmembers David Brooks, Don Day and Roger Harris publicly declared support of City Manager Jason Gray’s decision to fire the former chief, in what sounded like a scolding lecture a parent might rail upon his errant teenager. All four read what appeared to be prepared statements, saying they feel that the Gray, in his role as City Manager has done a good job during his 18-month tenure.
Mr. Brooks, Mr. Day and Ms. Kever appeared angry and defensive - angry that the public was questioning, angry that citizens dare make comments opposing “how” the events surrounding Mr. Kowalski’s firing took place and defensive about the entire situation. Have the citizens of McKinney hit a nerve?
Certainly, the council had anticipated citizens speaking out, questioning to some extent Gray’s decision, but most definitely the methods of Gray’s managing, to fire Kowalski and appoint his former Deputy City Manager Joe Williams to fill the role.
Councilwoman Kever, I understand the challenges of confidentiality, however, to say that you are "disappointed" that the public has been critical of our city manager's behavior led me to believe that you felt the public should refrain from any critcism of his position. While many individuals are sorry to see Doug Kowalski booted out of his job, it's the manner in which the entire cycle of events occurred that is most disturbing to me and to many McKinney residents. As I have said on many occassions to my children, "It's not you I'm upset with, it's your behavior." Same deal here.
Leaders are always subject to criticism - it comes with the territory, so please don't scold me for being critical. Often, criticsm is the crux of change and improvement. Often criticism drives us to do better.
"It also means that they (leaders), as part of their job, will almost inevitably face criticism in many occasions. Great leaders are aware of this and deal with criticism constructively. They see it as a normal part of their role and they approach it with an open mind. They have a fundamental and positive impact on the change, precisely because they deal with criticism effectively." Leadershipwatch, July 2011.
Thank you for clarifying to me that you really don' t believe public officials should be exempt from any public criticism. Thank you for saying that you did not agree with the way the events were handled by the city manager.
Day (Dist. 1) said he received a statement from the McKinney Police Association, which said, “We believe in giving Chief Williams a chance to be a leader. We don’t currently agree with starting a new process. ”
“In the last 18 months, our city manager has done an excellent job,” Day said. “I never expected that we would agree with every decision he ever made. If we fire our city manager every time we disagree with him, we’ll never get anything done. While I regret what has happened, we have to move forward. We have a fine city manager. I support him.”
“Everyone sitting around this table considers public safety a top priority,” Kever said. “Mr. Gray knows how to affect change for long-term value. He’s very good at the details. He’s managed our budget over a difficult economy with no increase in our tax rate. He’s resolute and strategic in the details and also strategically capable of making good decisions.
“He’s also not perfect. I don’t believe that you’re are only as good as, nor should you be, judged by your last error, or mistake,” Kever continued.
Ms. Kever also said she wouldn’t argue with those who have said the “how” part of this could have been handled differently. She said that she had already talked to the city manager about things she would have done differently. She continued to describe Gray as a leader who looks at a situation and “says this is wrong” and is willing to make tough changes.
“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right. This quote from Thomas Paine, is a good one,” Councilmember Kever said. “Someone that sees something that is wrong and acts on it has a lot of credibility. “
Harris (At-Large) emphasized that the city charter gives the city manger the power to make the changes, to hire and fire, and that council is not permitted to interfere in that process.
Councilman Brooks explained that “our city manger is the CEO of our city. It’s up to the CEO to surround himself with talented women and men who can lead forward and accomplish those goals (set by council). He vehemently criticized the three members of council (Mayor Brian Loughmiller, Ray Ricchi and Travis Ussery) who made public statements, saying, “Then comes along a little bit more controversial change and all of the sudden we feel free to do our own personal press releases, to express out there our outrage at what’s happened, to undermine the city manager - council form of government. Do not mistake yourselves, what you’ve seen these past 10 days is an attack on the city manager-council form of government.”
To those councilmembers who appeared defensive and scolding of the public, I would say this: I know that it’s difficult to be under public scrutiny, but remember you all signed up for this when you ran for office. I would expect that the firing of a high profile individual, particularly without preparing a public relations message, would raise eyebrows and would set our citizens to questioning. After all, isn’t that part of the democratic process?
Councilman Brooks, I’m not saying that the former chief of police should or should not have been fired. I don’t know. But if this entire situation had been handled differently, I believe there would not have been reason for the mayor and two other councilmen to fire off individual press releases. But I also think they have every right to do so, given the circumstances. Our political system, on the national level, allows Democrats who don’t agree with the Mr. Obama to say so. At times, I would hope that it’s more important for members of council to voice their own opinions.
Sitting in the audience, witnessing the statements made by these four members of council was difficult. I was reminded of the word my son Colin, who is a sous chef, uses in the kitchen - “Heard.” Colin tells me that in the kitchen where he works, the line cooks answer “heard” as the expeditor calls out the list of dishes he needs, meaning, “I heard what you said – I hear you.”
From my perspective, I believe that most citizens simply wanted members of council, and our city manager to say, “I hear you. I understand that you have questions, I understand that you have a difference of opinion – I hear you.” I wish they could admit that the “how” in all of this was mishandled. I believe most of our citizens would like to hear what they intend to do to prevent this from occurring in the future. And then, we would like to move forward.
It takes a principled, practiced leader to sit at the table and be willing to listen to the opposite viewpoint without being defensive. It’s a tough thing to do and it takes practice.
Tuesday night, at least Ms. Kever alluded to the fact that mistakes had been made in handling the “how” of the events of Oct. 5. No one else did.
Councilman Ricchi thanked citizens for attending and for their comments. He said that he stood by the statement he had released last week. Mayor Pro-Tem Ussery said the city has had its ups and down, “but we have recovered from worse.”
Mayor Loughmiller said “The reality is that we have to move forward and move forward in a positive way. I appreciate the community outpouring and appreciate hearing from you. Mr. Gray was hired to make tough decisions.”
As a community, we should move forward. But all of us -- council included -- should be reminded that the right of citizens to voice their opinions is the backbone of our country's political system. I could turn around the Thomas Paine quote that Kever used. Perhaps many McKinney citizens now feel that there is something wrong in our city and maybe that something should be changed. Citizens have the right to exact change in their own way, through elections.
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Congrats to the Citizens of McKinney, Texas: I wanted to take time to render my congrats to the level-headed citizens of McKinney, Texas, who were not fooled by the "Obama-type-media-hype" in having our ex-police chief reinstated. To those who have been following these posts, note that the posting of Mr. Gray, our city manager, which had the largest number of comments posted has been removed from the TSB site. Either by request of the MPD and/or/by Ms. Bado and staff, this posting has been removed. The City of McKinney currently has numerous legal proceedings against them by citizens, former MPD officers, and businesses located in McKinney. The posting of Mr. Gray seemed removed from this site in order to lower the profile of our city from these proceedings. I respectfully request that Ms. Bado and the Matthew staff have enough ethics to repost said blog by our city manager, as well as the comments that were posted thereof.
There are two things Mr. Gray can do to make the situation better.
1. Provide evidence-an evaluation-that the chief was not doing a good job.
2. Prove that he isn't just hiring cronies-by opening up the job to the best qualified candidate.
If he is really just hiring cronies, this is almost certainly not the only person he has hired this way. I would like someone to do an investigation of his other hirings and firings. I imagine there is something under the surface. These guys don't just wake up one morning and decide to hire the people they know from previous jobs. These officials learn on the job, as they work their way up the political system. Most manager types learn to play the game the correct way; they interview several candidates and THEN they hire the person they wanted the entire time.
This "city manager" is evidently so arrogant that he thinks he doesn't even have to interview a single other person.
One other point. If the city council decides to leave Gray in his position, does Gray have any credibility moving forward? Iow, if he fires someone, will high quality candidates be interested in interviewing with McKinney, knowing of his previous problems?
I don't think the high quality candidates would be interested in coming here at all, I think his credibility is gone. Can someone offer a reason why he would have any credibility?
I enjoy reading your column, but I do wish you would maintain some level of objectivity in your reporting and conclusions. Much of what you have reported on this story, including previous publications, is highly inaccurate in several key areas.
Code14 - Thank you for you comment. Please remember, my column is an op ed piece. Which areas do you feel are "highly inaccurate"? Please feel free to expound.
Please accept my deepest apologies. I was attempting to comment regarding prior publications on the subject and picked the wrong publication to post a comment. Absolutely nothing inaccurate about your current publication that I can see! I thought it informative and you obviously did due diligence on the subject at hand. I find myself in total agreement with many of the points you make... in this publication.
McKinney, I have been there since 1956 until 18 months ago. I have been very involved in downtown McKinney, thus McKinney City Council. I understand the CM being the CEO, but isn't the Council at least his board. You mean to tell me that the CM would not let a whisper that one morning he is going to fire the Chief? Come on boys and girl, I have been there too long to know you don't keep secrets like that in McKinney, TX. I know all but one on this board and all but one of those very well. This line of division has been there since this council and one or two before were installed. I believe in supporting the person YOU put in place, Council, but that does not make him blameless or faultless. People of McKinney, just like in November YOU MUST VOTE; YOU MUST VOTE in May. This is NO way to run a city of the distinction of McKinney. It didn't win all those accolades by having absolute blunders and non-leadership as this one!
amen, sister.
I hope the voters memories are long when these 3 are up for re-election. Mr. Gray botched the firing, that much seems clear. But to further muddy the water by installing his buddy in this position makes McKinney look like a "good ole boy" "one-horse town". I don't believe this is the direction we are looking for.
Thank you Angie for your briefing of the cc meeting Tuesday night. I thought it was more or less a cheap "pony show." I was less impressed by the 3 despicable council men & woman who carried on as holier than tho. I'm referring to Mr Day basically telling us what is determined by the city manager is ok by him and shouldn't be questioned. Mr Brooks lecturing the citizens for questioning Mr Gray's decision, as if we have no rights to do so. And Mrs. Kever talking down to the citizens as she knows better than the citizens of McKinney. Frankly I don't care how many boards you've sat on in the past or present ( most people don't care to be in your position by choice); it didn't help you on Tuesday night addressing the citizens with your lecture. I didn't go there to hear famous people's quotes or your excuses. I went to the meeting in hopes to find out why the firing of Chief Kowalski? Why you (claiming to be watching out for the citizens of McKinney's best interest) allowed for this to happen or why you think Mr Gray did the right thing. No one not even Mr Gray answered the question. Instead we were lectured, talked down to, lied to and you told us its confidential. So one can only assume there's corruption at city hall starting with the city manager. I already know he's too immature to handle his job of hiring and firing city staff. He proved that with his posting of the You tube video, which he later removed after realizing it was s bad move. He shows no respect for anyone not even himself.
At the end of the "pony show" I felt betrayal from our city government.
I had every right to be there to find out "What's going on at City Hall?"
Don't worry we know who will be up for re-election & no one will forget the council members who let us down. I'd hate to be one who goes to work for people who don't have any respect for you. It would make for a long hard day.
Councilwoman Kever, Councilman Day, Harris, and Brooks you will learn a thing or two about who tells who what and how to do it.... The constituents of your district have spoken and you have chosen not to listen. The VOTE against you will teach you and Jason Gray that you are only a public servant and to do as your told!
Angie thank you for discussing your personal view points on the situation.
I do think that some of our council members are forgetting that our country was founded on the freedom of speech, ability to criticize our government, and the ability for the citizens to overthrow the government (even if now it seems to mean only in the form of elections). These rights are given to us in the U.S. Constitution, and although there have been rumors about it I am not aware of Texas formally seceding from the Union.
Once again, thank you for practicing your first amendment rights.
Good Day Ms. Bado, I am so happy to be on-board your wonderful forum site as a concerned and interested McKinney resident. I have been reading your blog sites for some time now. It seems this issue concerning the "handling of the firing of our ex-Police Chief" has generated a great amount of interest including postings by yourself on your website for McKinney. Of course police personnel I doubt do much advertising on your site. Seems strange to me that you have spent so much time in attacking the city in your own personal postings on your site. Would think in the long run such actions might affect your good will in referral advertisers in the future from the City of McKinney. What actually seems strange to me is all this conversation about the "way" Mr. Gray handled the firing. He did speak to the ex-chief first, did he not? In this day and age of smart phones, facebook and all the other tools of the internet it seems to me that Mr. Gray was taking advantage of the modern age of media tools. I will agree with you, it is my belief that many members of the council could have handled their comments to the citizens better than did. Of course, I am not surprised by the greatest anger displayed by Kever. As a council member, she is not the best bright star on the council. As I recall, she petty much, single handed destroyed the McKinney school system in her ten years as President of the school board. Because of her lack of leadership and putting self-interest aside, today we have a green school system that costs three times more to operate. Also, I observed that a judge has gone against the City of McKinney in the Hanks Grill case. It seems what the MPD did in handling that case leaves great questions as to the honesty and character of MPD behind the scenes under the leadership all these years under our ex-chief. It will truly be fun to stay tuned to TQB and see what will occurr in the future....all of this is better reading than a $8.95 novel. Oh, by the way, the tear on the picture of the stone woman? That represents seeing such a great community going down what seems.... the tubes.
Being a part of the younger generation (per the standards of most young professional groups) and being a Realtor I agree and utilize social media multiple times a day. It is probably one of my top sources of receiving news and other information, and probably the #1 way I share it with others. I do not think a youtube video is all that inappropriate way of communicating information. I do feel the video made and posted by Mr. Gray was made in a distasteful manner and has brought embarrassment upon our community. Shooting the video in more of a press conference manner would have been more appropriate. I don't think that would change that fact that the verbage of the message was tacky. The naming of a longtime colleague who has followed Gray from town to town to town as the new chief was even more disgraceful. Mr. Gray did not for 1 minute (and still doesn't) believe his actions were inappropriate. He still refuses to prove that Chief Williams is the most qualified person there is to run the MPD by opening up the search to all qualified applicants like the citizens and multiple members of council (including the mayor) have requested.