Theron Sanders Sr.: Atwater has an opportunity to change city’s direction

With the hiring of a new interim police chief, and the retirement of the city manager, major changes are coming to Atwater. Clearly, Atwater now has an opportunity to shake off its management and fiscal malaise to bring in fresh new leadership.

However, the temptation to play musical chairs and simply appoint new leaders from within would be a serious mistake. When Atwater was a small town, nepotism and the good-ol’-boy network was unavoidable. After all, in a small town, everybody knows everyone. At the time, a department head would never be criticized for hiring his brother Jethro or his nephew Goober. Today, Atwater is no longer “Mayberry RFD,” and the need has never been greater for a new, competent city manager.

The man or woman selected must also have clear vision. Too often, city leadership has never looked beyond the present, resulting in bungled finances, reduced city services and city hall being open only four days a week. Thirty-thousand citizens desire better. Don’t mess up!

This story was originally published August 12, 2016 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Theron Sanders Sr.: Atwater has an opportunity to change city’s direction."