Fort Smith Director Good, challenger Wade talk consent decree, diversity in hiring

Fort Smith Ward 2 Director Andre Good faces challenger Bruce Wade on Nov. 8 in the general election. Good has served two consecutive terms with no opposition until now.

Good and Wade participated in the recent four-candidate forum presented by the League of Women Voters. At the forum, the pair agreed there were inequalities throughout Fort Smith with some areas of the city being treated better than others.

While Ward 4 challenger Neal Martin criticized opponent George Catsavis’ vote to approve the $480 million consent decree, Wade did not go there with Good in spite of Good’s decision to affirm as well. At the forum, Good expressed regret over the decision, but noted it was to avoid a harsher penalty from the DOJ. In a recent interview with Talk Business & Politics, Good confirmed he would be for appealing the consent decree during a new term. He also spoke of the city budget as well as the city’s deficient hiring practices when it comes to minorities.

Following are responses from Good and Wade to questions from Talk Business & Politics.

TB&P: If elected on Nov. 8, would you consider appealing the consent decree? How would you respond to Mr. Martin’s criticisms of the previous vote voiced at the LWV forum?

Good: The Consent Decree is a moving parts kind of issue. While I do not like all processes of the mandate, I do understand that the sewer and wet weather issues need to be addressed. We cannot rely on the federal government for funding. It’s our responsibility now to invest in and protect our water. If we don’t protect our liquid assets,  we can’t protect and grow our economy.  But yes, I would be in favor of appealing the consent decree. I believe that the EPA mandate is too top heavy in upper-level staffing. Processes such as trenchless technology, which is a cost-saving type of subsurface construction work that is less labor intensive, need to be considered if we aren’t already. The City was making improvements on our system and reducing the number of overflows, back-ups and line breaks. Using technology like the trenchless method, we could continue to make the needed improvements, repairs and ongoing maintenance on our liquid assets, some of which are 100 years old. Also, we have a new set of eyes reviewing the decree. City Administrator Carl Geffken may have experiences, ideas or contacts dealing with such matters and may have a different approach.

Wade: First, did all of the directors read and get a full understanding of the consent decree? If not, then the citizens weren’t represented fairly.

TB&P: The budget will be a source of concern for some time. What are some specific areas you would look at reducing or cutting out altogether, and what new revenue sources should the city look at creating?

Good: Reducing duplication of services at all levels will help. We look at ways to be more efficient and drill down with staff the same expectations. Our revenues are not increasing at the same rate as our cost, so we have to reduce our costs. Increasing franchise fees would only be a “pass-through” measure. We increase the fees for our franchise businesses and they in turn could increase their rates to the consumer which are our citizens, so I am not in favor of that. Business as usual is no longer an option. We have to look at new, creative ways to operate. The board looks to staff and expects our budget to be balanced yearly. Insurance, retirement, pay increases, training, travel, education payouts and employment levels are all being considered.

Wade: There has to be something not being exposed about how this budget shortfall came about. There are reasons for all problems. The citizens need to know the real reasons.

TB&P: On the issue of diversity in police, fire and other areas of city employment, is enough being done by leadership to address the issue? If not, what other measures should city leadership take to find the balance between fair representation and a highly qualified workforce?

Good: Let me first point out and make it clear that the lack of diversity is a problem within the entire City organization, not just the Police and Fire Departments. The Fort Smith Police Department must do a better job with diversity and inclusion. Great leadership looks for ways to diversify its workforce. That entails: (1) ramping up recruiting efforts to get more women and people of color into the officer/employee candidate pool; (2) examining existing testing and evaluation systems to eliminate any barriers to fair and equitable treatment for all; and (3) engaging officers, administrators in the Police/ Fire Departments as well as City Admin in ongoing de-escalation, diversity and inclusion training and education. These measures will strengthen our departments and enhance the level of trust between our departments and all sectors of the Fort Smith Community. The recent hire of Police Chief Nathaniel Clark is a good start to addressing our disparity but more so, allows us to address some implicit biases, unlike explicit bias which reflects beliefs or attitudes held at a conscious level. Implicit bias often operates at a below conscious awareness level. The City as a whole must do better. We will do better.

Wade: Fort Smith is far past due on diversity within the city departments. If the qualifications are set to bring in the most qualified, then that bar shouldn’t be lowered for any reason. Careful consideration must be taken if moving forward for a better future for all the citizens.

TB&P: What parts of the city are treated unequally, do you feel, for better and worse? Why do you think this inequality exists, and how will you address it in the next term?

Good: Some of the unequal treatment mentioned are perception issues. Growth in Chaffee Crossing and to the south of the city is viewed by many as neglect by the city on the north side. People just want to feel valued as tax-paying citizens and to see their dollars working for them where they live and work. The spectrum of Ward 2 residents includes a broad array of socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, age and other demographic groups. So the range of perceived pressing issues is as vast as the demographics of our community where every one of us should feel valued. When citizens make calls to city departments with questions or looking for help and are spoken to inconsiderately, given the run-around or a sense of empathy not expressed by city staff, of course people feel neglected or devalued. The majority of correspondence I receive from citizens deal with water/sewer rate increases, property maintenance, drainage and flooding, reinvestment of their tax dollars and poor/good service reports about our staff.

Wade: When standards are set for City service departments. Standards should be across the board for the whole city. A city service should be of service to the citizens.However that is not the case. There is a difference in law enforcement, that’s really to serve and protect. And a city service that has the intrusive power to make citizens criminals. What a Deal!

TB&P: What do you feel is the better form of government for Fort Smith – City Administrator or Mayor-Council, and why?

Good: I feel that our current form of government, a hired City Administrator is better than an elected Strong Mayor form. The argument I hear locally is that if an elected Mayor doesn’t follow the will of the people he can be voted out. The same can be said in the City Administrator form as the elected Council/Board of Directors can vote on the removal. Politics can be played out in either scenario. As I’ve stated before, both forms of government, City Administrator or Mayor-Council, could lend itself to non-transparency issues, nepotism and other forms of corruption. In my opinion, we have a better checks and balances with our current form of government. Again, either way, the people you have in positions of leadership or at the helm determines the direction of the ship.

Wade: Maybe, as Fort Smith looks to moving into the future, a change could be interesting for the citizens overall. Because, if the present government isn’t working well, then change is needed.