McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

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September 15, 2009

Former councilor also wants interim city manager slot

By James Beaty

Another McAlester resident says he has applied for the position of interim city manager.

Louis Smitherman, the former Ward 6 city councilor, says he has applied for the job.

Smitherman says he has a lot of experience serving in the community, including 11 years and nine months as the Ward 6 city councilor, as well as 14 years on the McAlester School Board.

Smitherman said he has experience as a city manager, previously serving as city manager in the Oklahoma County community of Spencer.

“When all is said and done I feel I can make a contribution to this city,” Smitherman said.

He said he feels McAlester has offered his family a quality of life.

“We’ve been a vital part of this community and I want to continue to be a vital part of the community,” Smitherman said.

Smitherman is the second applicant to confirm he has applied for the post.

City Planning and Community Development Director Peter Stasiak has also applied for the position.

“I asked for consideration, yes,” Stasiak said on Monday when asked if he had applied for the job of interim city manager.

When asked why he is seeking the post of interim city manager, Stasiak said, “I want to do everything I can to help this community to move forward.”

Smitherman lost the Ward 6 city council seat several years ago during a recall election, won by Sam Mason, who remains the current Ward 6 city councilor. The recall election came about following a petition drive by those who wanted Smitherman off the council because he had served during the administration of former City Manager Randy Green, who is serving a federal prison term on embezzlement convictions.

Smitherman said the city council accomplished a lot during the years he served on it, including bringing Lowe’s to the city— which Smitherman said resulted in everything from a Chile’s opening here, to the addition of more hotels.

Whoever serves as interim city manager will fill the position while the city searches for someone to fill the regular city manager’s position.

The McAlester city council could make a decision on the interim position as early as tonight. A special city council meeting is set for 5:30 p.m., with the council set to discuss the matter in an executive session behind closed doors.

An interim city manager is needed because City Manger Mark Roath has resigned from his office, effective Sept. 25. He’s set to become the new city manager in Alamogordo, N.M., on Oct. 5.

McAlester Mayor Kevin Priddle is hopeful that the city council will make a decision tonight on hiring an interim city manager, so whoever fills the position will have approximately a week and a half to work with Roath before he leaves the office.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.

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