As Baker City is looking to hire a replacement for the outgoing city manager, I believe it would behoove the city council to convene a city manager search committee (as has been done at times past during previous manager vacancies), to establish search parameters, evaluate applicants and then present a select slate of potential candidates to the full council for their consideration. I’d strongly recommend that the committee be comprised of city council members, Baker City residents at-large, business owners, individuals with previous law enforcement and/or public safety experience, as well as individuals who’ve dealt with city budgets, and, if possible, someone with prior city planning experience. As Baker City residents, we’re all affected stakeholders when it comes to the office of city manager. It should go without saying then that it is requisite that Baker City voters and taxpayer’s participation in the hiring process be the primary component in the selection of new city management.

Davey Peterson

Baker City