Editorial...Grove Going Into Crisis Mode
Grove's City Council is split into two factions that cannot agree on critical issues that could put the city's important projects at risk. It is understandable, reading the following quote from the Council Meeting Minutes of Nov. 5, 2002:
"Local residents Mike Thompson, Larry Parham and Lendy Tate (now deceased) addressed the city council expressing their personal concerns regarding the hiring of the new City Manager vs. application submitted by Senator Rick Littlefield. The Council heard complaints based on experience and qualifications of denied local area applicant to that of Mr. Galletly, a native of western Oklahoma. The Council voiced their opinions, individually, substantiating their decision. Jobe made the motion to approve a one-year contract with William (Bill) A Galletly beginning on the first day of December 2002 and ending on the last day of November 2003. Nuckolls seconds the motion. Aye: Jobe, Rowe, Nold, Sadler and Nuckolls. Nay: None. Motion carried."
Only one councilor at that time is still on the council, Mayor Nuckolls.
City Manager Bill Galletly had not even worked his first day and people were protesting the council's unanimous decision to hire him. And the protests have not stopped since. Parham has since been elected to the Council and continues to want Galletly out of town, pressured by the group that lost power in the past two elections. Parham said Thursday he never made any statement about Littlefield and the minutes are incorrect.
Councilman Gary Bishop almost always votes in sync with Parham, giving the council a 3-2 split. That's the way it was planned. Unplanned was Terry Ryan's win over Charles Rowe, which upset the good old boys no end. Ryan has recently been trying to broker an agreement with the two factions on firing Galletly and his severance package. Parham says it is he that is trying to broker the deal.
The plan was for Galletly to have been fired Tuesday night at midnight, but the Council could not agree on his severance or consultant package. Why pay someone to sit at home when he is the only person in Grove that knows the complex issues of the utility relocations. Does this make good business sense?
Now the city is faced with Galletly possibly being sent home this Friday, but being paid anyway due to his severance contract with the city; not having a city manager for 2-4 months; (the resumes have not even been opened yet) complex public works projects to begin shortly such as utility relocations on Highway 59 which must be finished in 300 days from start day or the city faces huge fines; an inexperienced acting city manager who would be subject to firing at any time; hiring a new city manager strong enough to please both factions; hiring a public works director to oversee projects since Galletly would be sitting at home; and three council seats up for election in April. You can bet that another fight will ensue over the new city manager's selection.
The city is clearly at a crossroads. Decisions should be based on business, not emotion. ODOT could well say to the city "you have no one in charge and we can't risk such an important project as Highway 59 widening, so we will postpone it." ODOT is not going to move the utilities, the city is, via a construction contract still to be bid. The city is on the hook for getting it done, however, and has ordered the materials.
One only need to look at McAlester down Highway 69 to see what a city government in crisis looks like…entire council gone, two fired city managers in less than 7 months, financial problems and more.
One councilor has said he has been threatened with a lawsuit if he doesn't vote a certain way. Two factions fighting. Groups jamming the council meetings intimidating councilors. False information being spread. Lawsuits threatened against the City Manager over a bike path. Possible resignations at the GMSA board. Pending lawsuits from fired employees. What to do with the Civic Center. And on.
Egads. Who would want to come to Grove and manage city government, facing all of this.
Our Council is going to have to sit down together and compromise and make the hard decisions that best benefit Grove. Otherwise, we are screwed.
Friday's Special Executive Session may well be the most important meeting of the year. We hope the council members can sit down together and agree 5-0 on what is best for the city and its residents.
"Local residents Mike Thompson, Larry Parham and Lendy Tate (now deceased) addressed the city council expressing their personal concerns regarding the hiring of the new City Manager vs. application submitted by Senator Rick Littlefield. The Council heard complaints based on experience and qualifications of denied local area applicant to that of Mr. Galletly, a native of western Oklahoma. The Council voiced their opinions, individually, substantiating their decision. Jobe made the motion to approve a one-year contract with William (Bill) A Galletly beginning on the first day of December 2002 and ending on the last day of November 2003. Nuckolls seconds the motion. Aye: Jobe, Rowe, Nold, Sadler and Nuckolls. Nay: None. Motion carried."
Only one councilor at that time is still on the council, Mayor Nuckolls.
City Manager Bill Galletly had not even worked his first day and people were protesting the council's unanimous decision to hire him. And the protests have not stopped since. Parham has since been elected to the Council and continues to want Galletly out of town, pressured by the group that lost power in the past two elections. Parham said Thursday he never made any statement about Littlefield and the minutes are incorrect.
Councilman Gary Bishop almost always votes in sync with Parham, giving the council a 3-2 split. That's the way it was planned. Unplanned was Terry Ryan's win over Charles Rowe, which upset the good old boys no end. Ryan has recently been trying to broker an agreement with the two factions on firing Galletly and his severance package. Parham says it is he that is trying to broker the deal.
The plan was for Galletly to have been fired Tuesday night at midnight, but the Council could not agree on his severance or consultant package. Why pay someone to sit at home when he is the only person in Grove that knows the complex issues of the utility relocations. Does this make good business sense?
Now the city is faced with Galletly possibly being sent home this Friday, but being paid anyway due to his severance contract with the city; not having a city manager for 2-4 months; (the resumes have not even been opened yet) complex public works projects to begin shortly such as utility relocations on Highway 59 which must be finished in 300 days from start day or the city faces huge fines; an inexperienced acting city manager who would be subject to firing at any time; hiring a new city manager strong enough to please both factions; hiring a public works director to oversee projects since Galletly would be sitting at home; and three council seats up for election in April. You can bet that another fight will ensue over the new city manager's selection.
The city is clearly at a crossroads. Decisions should be based on business, not emotion. ODOT could well say to the city "you have no one in charge and we can't risk such an important project as Highway 59 widening, so we will postpone it." ODOT is not going to move the utilities, the city is, via a construction contract still to be bid. The city is on the hook for getting it done, however, and has ordered the materials.
One only need to look at McAlester down Highway 69 to see what a city government in crisis looks like…entire council gone, two fired city managers in less than 7 months, financial problems and more.
One councilor has said he has been threatened with a lawsuit if he doesn't vote a certain way. Two factions fighting. Groups jamming the council meetings intimidating councilors. False information being spread. Lawsuits threatened against the City Manager over a bike path. Possible resignations at the GMSA board. Pending lawsuits from fired employees. What to do with the Civic Center. And on.
Egads. Who would want to come to Grove and manage city government, facing all of this.
Our Council is going to have to sit down together and compromise and make the hard decisions that best benefit Grove. Otherwise, we are screwed.
Friday's Special Executive Session may well be the most important meeting of the year. We hope the council members can sit down together and agree 5-0 on what is best for the city and its residents.
posted by Editor | 1:07 AM
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