A change for the positive

— It was just over two weeks ago that Texarkana, Ark., City Manager Harold Boldt announced that he would step down at the end of June.

The announcement came the same day the Texarkana, Arkansas, Board of Directors announced a settlement in the lawsuit by former City Clerk Patti Scott Grey related to her termination just over a year ago.

The lawsuit named the city, Boldt and four board members including incumbent Directors Laney Harris and Sue Johnson. The settlement figure was $220,000.

After the news of Boldt’s pending retirement broke, some in the community decided that there was no reason for Boldt to remain on the job until June 30 and plenty of reason for him to leave sooner. Much sooner.

Last week, they got their wish.

At Monday’s city Board of Directors meeting, Boldt agreed to vacate his position immediately, though he will still be paid until June 30.

We think that was a wise choice. We may have some qualms about what is essentially a “paid vacation,” but it was time for the city manager to go and the city to begin the search for a replacement.

For quite some time, the Arkansas-side city government has been in a state of turmoil.

Now there is a chance to rebuild trust with the public and among city officials.

Mayor Ruth Penney-Bell is providing sound leadership. And city board member - with a couple of exceptions - seem to be reasonable, open to compromise and willing to do what is needed to get the city in shape.

Choosing a new city manager will be a big part of that.

On Friday, the board named Dr. Kenny Haskin, the city’s economic development director, as interim city manager.

We are sure he will do a fine job until a permanent city manager is named.

In a story published Thursday, the mayor said she wants to hire a professional headhunting firm to find the city manager, ideally one without local ties, one who would presumably be free of undue influence from any particular individual or groups with the city.

We think that’s a wise idea.

And we think it would be a wise idea for the city to cast its net far and wide for the best possible candidates. (Of course, that’s what they said last time this job was open, and look what happened.)

Looking at both sides of the state line, there have been times when the pool was shallow indeed and the final choice seemed, to some, to have been preordained.

That’s not good.

This is an opportunity, and it’s up to the mayor and city board to make the most of it. We wish them the best of success.

– Texarkana Gazette

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