Professional management is the right call

Jan. 19—Yes, it would have been better to let all citizens of Beckley decide whether or not to change the form of government down at City Hall from one that features a strong mayor at the helm to one where the council is making critical decisions about the way forward as an appropriately paid city manager runs the affairs of the city — as a figurehead mayor cuts another grand opening ribbon.

But because the council and Mayor Rob Rappold dragged their feet on such an ordinance, because they did not get all of their ducks in a row to move the change in government along to a vote of the people in a timely manner, because implementation of such a plan would have been delayed four years from this summer, the council also did the right thing by forgoing the vote of the people.

Enough was enough, apparently, and it was time to embrace the future and make progress.

Currently, the city of Beckley is governed by a strong mayor form of government where the mayor sets the agenda while also attending to some of the everyday issues that pop up in various departments — often without the expertise and experience to effect a satisfactory solution.

In smaller towns and cities where the problems are not as complex and professional management is less of an issue, a strong mayor form of government is by most measures almost necessary, especially when considering the cost — around $100,000, not including benefits — to hire a city manager. Little towns do not have that kind of jack.

But bigger municipalities do — just as they have a greater need for professional management to handle all concerns.

It is a busy and stressful job that must be addressed with the skills and talents of a chief executive officer who was educated and trained to excel in the job and move the city forward — not someone who won a popular vote of the people.

The preferred candidate will have strong project management skills and the ability to delegate tasks to competent individuals. The city manager must balance fiscal prudence with the confidence to keep projects on schedule.

City managers implement municipal policy, supervising the day-to-day operations of all city departments and staff. They act as liaisons between the residents and the government, meeting with citizens, local businesses and media alike. They attend all council meetings. They hire personnel, develop fiscal plans, regulate building activities, and maintain a unique understanding of how all city operations function together.

Their job is essentially to run a highly efficient and effective city government that serves the people.

This is no easy assignment, and by no means is it apolitical.

Beckley council members need to be prepared to conduct a significant search, pay appropriately and vet qualified candidates in order to get this new model of government off on the right foot with a fabulous hire.

What may not be so obvious in all of this is that council members will have to take a more active role than they have in the past. Now they will have to develop among themselves a vision for the city and, through professional management, stay trained to the road ahead.

With the change in government, the city of Beckley is headed down the right road.