NEW CITY MANAGER WILL BE KEY CHOICE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL

Cape Girardeau is embarking on the formidable process of selecting a new city manager. J. Ronald Fischer has announced he will retire Aug. 1. Some city councilmen have suggested a good local candidate could avoid an arduous search. Others have said both community members and councilmen should be involved in the search.

A nationwide search for the most qualified candidate makes sense for Cape Girardeau. That isn't to say the search won't lead councilmen back to Cape Girardeau.

That is just what happened in 1988 when Fischer was aptly chosen city manager. The finalists included individuals from Casper, Wyo., Clinton, Mo., and Bedford, Va., as well as two from Cape Girardeau County.

A few years ago, a nationwide search to replace Southeast Missouri State University President Robert Leestamper came full circle to Cape Girardeau. The search took the committee to campuses in Illinois, West Virginia, Texas, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Dakota and Missouri. But the final choice, interim president Bill Stacy, was by far the most qualified.

A far-reaching search for city manager serves two purposes. First, it allows for a wider field of qualified candidates. Without a search, the council has ruled out the possibility of bettering the position from the outside. The search process itself is a learning experience about what the city can expect from a city manager.

Secondly, a wider search gives a greater perspective on local candidates. Out-of-town doesn't necessarily mean better. Several qualified candidates in Cape Girardeau come to mind. A nationwide search would offer the council a solid base for comparison.

A few extra dollars spent now in the search process would be a wise investment for the city.

It would be unfortunate if arguments among the city's elected officials over the search process has discouraged current city employees such as current Assistant City Manager Doug Leslie from throwing their hats in the ring. All qualified candidates should apply.

The membership of the search committee has been another matter of contention. It seems best to leave the process to the group that will make the final decision: the council. Input from other community leaders should be welcomed, but when it comes time to make the final choice, the councilmen should have all the information. Too many search committee members can also bog down the process.

Council members should be the ones to have conducted all the interviews personally. This is too important a task to delegate to others. Hiring a suitable replacement for Fischer is one of the most important decisions this council will make. Top leadership directly affects the city's course of direction in the years ahead. A good decision will bear fruit throughout the operations of the city.

Time is another consideration for the process. Fischer was generous in giving far beyond the standard one-month notice to the city. But his retirement looms only four months away. We encourage the council to begin the process at this weekend's retreat. It takes time to launch an extensive search process, and the time to start is now.