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Dallas City Council meltdown over city manager search an embarrassment

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Dallas City Council meltdown over city manager search an embarrassment


An already questionable search process for Dallas’ new city manager has unfortunately lapsed into all-out dysfunction.

Dallas City Council, it’s the holidays. Please take a breath of fresh pine air and work out this search in a new spirit of cooperation before nobody ends up wanting the job.

Given what’s already happened, chances of that are dwindling. Three of the five semifinalists already pulled out of the running late last week.

There was trouble from the start with the resignation of former City Manager T.C. Broadnax in February. He said a majority of the council lost faith in his leadership, but the timing of his “involuntary resignation” rightly raised eyebrows. Mayor Eric Johnson questioned whether his allies on the council helped him orchestrate the move so he could take a job as Austin city manager and also collect on a hefty severance.

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The City Council named Broadnax’s top aide, Assistant City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, as interim manager just days after his resignation amid reservations of some of the council. Since then, the table has seemed set for her to assume the permanent role, underscored by the lack of pushback Tolbert’s received as she’s implemented sweeping changes at City Hall during her interim role. We can’t help but wonder about the chill that’s had on other potential candidates.

Another wrinkle came when the outside search firm hired to vet candidates, Baker Tilly, circulated a draft brochure advertising for the job that featured a photo of the Houston skyline. That was in late August, and since then some council members have blamed both the firm and an ad hoc search committee for moving too slowly and without transparency to the full council.

Tensions erupted this month when three council members — Paula Blackmon, Gay Donnell Willis and Jaynie Schultz — tried to wrest control from the committee and hold an emergency meeting of the full council. That flopped when only two other council members showed up at the Dec. 16 meeting, not enough for a quorum.

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Blackmon told us she expected a quorum, but “it became clear to me that some phone calls were made to pressure people not to show up, and that is their decision.” Another bad look for the city.

A meeting the same day of the ad hoc committee weirdly ended up in executive session for nearly three hours. Members emerged with a plan to virtually interview the semifinalists Monday, the day before Christmas Eve. That seems like a big ask of the candidates and a crummy process. Candidates deserve an in-person interview.

It’s been hard to keep track of who’s on whose team in this mayhem. There are clearly two sides on the council: those who want Tolbert to get the job, and those who aren’t yet sold on her and want a more extensive search.

Council member Cara Mendelsohn, a member of the ad hoc committee, told us any grievances with the search should have been handled privately and that council members not on the committee have wrongly injected themselves in what is a serious effort.

“This unprofessional behavior risks scaring off strong candidates and reflects poorly on our city,” she said.

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That may well happen even more than it has and, at this point, who could blame them? From the start to now, the city has hardly put its best foot forward. We urge the City Council to embrace the quiet of the season, take a moment and begin again in earnest in the New Year.

Rushing this process serves no one and least of all the residents of Dallas.

We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com



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Dallas, TX

Wings’ top pick Azzi Fudd hosts clinic as Cash App donates to Dallas nonprofit

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Wings’ top pick Azzi Fudd hosts clinic as Cash App donates to Dallas nonprofit


The Dallas Wings’ top draft pick hosted a basketball clinic for young girls through a partnership with Cash App, supporting the nonprofit Raise Hope. The event included skills training, a $35,000 donation to the organization, and a $100 donation per participant. The segment also previewed major men’s sports matchups happening the same night.



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Dallas, TX

Trackdown: Dallas 7-Eleven robbery suspect wanted

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Trackdown: Dallas 7-Eleven robbery suspect wanted


Dallas police need a name for a dangerous robber who pulled a gun on a 7-Eleven clerk and walked out with the cash register drawer.

He was caught on camera. But it’s been six months, and he’s still at large.

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7-Eleven Robberies

What we know:

The robbery in question happened on Jan. 13 around 10:30 p.m. at the store at 302 North Marsalis Avenue.

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A Black male who is about 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 170 to 180 pounds walked in and waited until no other customers were inside.

“After it’s empty, he displays a handgun and points it at the cashier,” said Det. Eduardo Lopez Villa. “I don’t know what he said. He just demanded the cash from the cash register.”

Det. Villa said the suspect took the whole cash register drawer before fleeing eastbound on foot on 8th Street.

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What you can do:

The detective believes anyone who knows the suspect will be able to recognize him.

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“Yes, most definitely based on the video and the screenshot. If you know him, you’ll recognize him,” he said. 

Tipsters can call or text Det. Villa at 469-755-8445.

“I need his information so I can talk to him about this incident,” he said.

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FOX 4’s Trackdown

You can watch Shaun Rabb’s Trackdown series every Wednesday on FOX 4. Episodes are also posted weekly online, on YouTube and on FOX Local.

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FOX 4 viewers have now helped to make 220 arrests.

The Source: The information in this story comes from Dallas Police Det. Eduardo Lopez Villa.

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Dallas weighs $500 million‑plus repair plans as City Hall’s future comes up for debate

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Dallas weighs 0 million‑plus repair plans as City Hall’s future comes up for debate


Dallas officials are weighing two costly options for City Hall’s future: either relocate entirely or spend more than half a billion dollars on repairs. One proposal would cost about $532 million over six years, while a second plan would spread repairs over a decade at an estimated cost of $557 million. The City Council is expected to outline the next steps on the project tomorrow.



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