McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

November 4, 2009

McAlester City Council agrees to hire headhunter to find new city manager

By JOHN YATES

The McAlester City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to fund an executive search to fill the city manager’s post.

The measure passed after brief discussion between Ward Three Councilman John Browne and Mayor Kevin Priddle. The special meeting lasted less than five minutes.

The council approved the hiring of an executive search firm to aid in the hiring and employment of a city manager.

Such executive searches have been conducted on the behalf of the city before, with varying results.

The city’s top executive post, which has seen a number occupants with varying titles over the past five years, most recently became vacant when Mark Roath left in late September to become city manager in Alamogordo, N.M.

Roath was city manager of McAlester for about two and a half years.

After Roath left, city Planning and Community Development Director Pete Stasiak was named acting city manager. His work drew praise from Browne, who questioned the need to hire an executive search firm.

“I think Pete has done a very good job for us,” Browne said.

The city did not commit itself to a contract, firm or amount Tuesday, but Browne said the $25,000 expected to be spent in the search could be better served elsewhere. He also said the council should have waited another 30 days before taking the action.

Priddle did not argue Stasiak’s job performance in backing the measure.

“I do think Pete has done a great job,” he said.

McAlester’s mayor said it is important for the city to go through the right process in hiring a city manager, and that if the process led back to Stasiak, he was “fine” with that.

Browne questioned Priddle as to the process to be followed, and the mayor gave examples such as background checks and ability to be bonded for the post.

None of the other four council members attending Tuesday’s special meeting had any questions or comments during the session. Creation of the RFP was the only agenda item.

Absent from the session were Ward Two Councilman Donnie Condit and Ward Four Councilman Haven Wilkinson.

Also attending were Public Works Director John Modezelewski, Chief Financial Officer Gayla Duke, City Clerk Cora Middleton and one reporter.

John Yates is the news director for McAlester Radio.

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