In the spirit of openness the city turned to the public for help in its search for a new police chief.
Officials wanted an inclusive process with input from business, religious and civic leaders, as well as the community at large. Besides, there was a local or two applying for the job whose candidacies could have political consequences. An open selection process would provide a political buffer of sorts. Seemed like an admirable idea.
A committee of 21 community volunteers sifted through resumes, called references and made recommendations to the City Council.
The city, for all its parsimony, got a lot more than it bargained for. We now better understand why officialdom often relies on search firms, who can examine dirty laundry out of sight.
We have four finalists for Columbus police chief — Curtis Brame of North Chicago, Ill.; Nathaniel Clark of Albany, Ga.; Interim Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen of Columbus; and Robert Spinks of Sequim, Wash.
The city wants to continue its transparency. We think that’s a good thing.
Candidates will be interviewed on Thursday in an open meeting at the Columbus Municipal Complex, starting at 4 p.m.
The interviews will be broadcast live on Cable One Channel 3.
It’s an opportunity for supporters and naysayers to see the candidates firsthand.
Critics have been harsh and frequent.
Thursday’s open interviews present the opportunity to do more than criticize.
Differing opinions are an inevitable and valuable part of a community conversation, but all too many want to do little more than criticize.
When the City Council seemed to be in a bind because they can’t legally use city funds to pay the out-of-state candidates’ travel expenses, Columbus-Lowndes Development Link CEO Joe Higgins said his organization wasn’t having any of it. They didn’t like the process, he said. The Convention and Visitors Bureau took a pass as well.
It’s lamentable that agencies forged to support the city of Columbus and Lowndes County — and largely funded by their citizens — have stayed on the sidelines in this case. Need we remind them, as go the city’s fortunes, so goes theirs.
However you feel about how we got here, the only way to decide on the best candidate is to interview all the finalists.
The Columbus-Lowndes Political Action Committee offered us the chance to do that, by pledging $3,000 for travel expenses.
Let’s make the most of that chance by watching the interviews, in person or remotely.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.