Membership Renewal
Members can renew their membership online at www.tcma.org. Simply
click on the “About TCMA” link and select “Dues
Renewal.” Dues can be paid with a credit card, and member
profiles can also be updated from this link.: Dues
Renewal.
The Texas City Management Association is pleased to
send you this month’s edition of the Management Messenger.
It features recent changes in city management positions around the
state, current job listings, names of new members, information about
upcoming educational events, and news about our colleagues. The newsletter
and past issues are also posted at http://www.tcma.org/newsletter.htm.
You play an important role in the ethics process. Acquaint
yourself with the Code
of Ethics and its Rules
of Procedure for Enforcement .
Please remember to browse through YOUR Web
site, http://www.tcma.org.
The TCMA Management Messenger welcomes 21 new members. Their memberships
were approved at the TCMA Board meeting on August 24.
Full
Larry D. Morgan, City Manager, Bullard
Jesse “Chuy” Garcia, City Manager, Alpine
Erik J. Walsh, Assistant City Manager, San Antonio
Juan F. Zuniga, City Manager, Rio Grande City
Associate
George Antuna, Jr., Executive Director of Economic
Development, Schertz
Bart Bingham, Assistant to the City Manager, Burleson
Kellye Cunningham, Management Assistant, Burleson
Sharon De La Garza, Assistant to the City Manager,
San Antonio
Eric Ellwanger, Customer and Utility Services Manager,
Plano
Brad Gildea, Special Projects Coordinator, Schertz
Kara Shuror, Assistant Police Director, Fort Worth
Rita Duprat-Waldo, Executive Services Coordinator
and Risk Manager, Schertz
Ashleigh Whiteman, Communications Manager, Hurst
Cooperating
James Bryan Beck, Engineering Manager, Fort Worth
Kevin Haines, Firefighter, Plano
Paula X. Stallcup, Director of Downtown Operations,
San Antonio
Rosanna Nieto, Customer Service Specialist, San Antonio
Matt Shaffstall, Special Projects Director, Hillsboro
LaQuintta Denish Wilson-Owens, Housing Administrator,
Garland
Student
Stephanie Aughinbaugh, Student, Rhodes College,
Tennessee
Abra Nusser, Graduate Management Intern, Richardson
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Lance Avant is no longer the city administrator
for the City of Morgan’s Point.
Ernesto Ayala, Jr. is no longer the city administrator
for the City of Edcouch.
Jerry Brooks is no longer the city administrator
for the City of Valley Mills.
Torry Edwards is the new city manager for the City
of Terrell.
Larry Graves is the interim city manager for the
City of Fate.
Jim Gray is the new city manager for the City of
Ingleside.
Andres Gutierrez is the interim city manager for
the City of Jarrell.
Al Lagos is no longer the city administrator for
the City of Cockrell Hill.
Rob Lindsey is the new city manager for the City
of Goldthwaite.
Manuel Longoria is the new city manager for the
City of Shavano Park.
Bobby Rountree is the new city manager for the
City of Brownwood, beginning September 17.
Dolores “Molly” Topper is no longer
the city manager for the City of Taft.
Florencio Sauceda is the interim city manager.
Danny Valenzuela will no longer be the city manager
for the City of Ft. Stockton, beginning in November.
Visit tcma.org to
see if you qualify for TCMA In-transition Services. For a list of
current city management job openings in Texas, please visit http://www.tcma.org/jobs_openings.html.
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The TCMA Management Messenger introduces and welcomes Jim
Gibson to his new position as the city administrator for
the City of Jefferson.Jim's appointment as city administrator began
on May 16.Prior to his appointment, Jim worked as regional services
manager for the East Texas Council of Governments.He has also worked
as a management analyst in the public safety department for the
City of Pasadena.
Jim received his bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University
in 2000 and his master of public administration degree from the University
of Houston in 2002.
Jim and his wife Janelle have been married for seven years and
have two children, Celeste and Cecily.Jim and Janelle are very active
with their kid's activities, which includes dance, gymnastics, and
theater.
The TCMA Management Messenger also introduces and welcomes Andy
McCuistion to his new position as the city manager of
the City of Canton. Andy’s appointment began July 17. Prior
to his appointment, he worked as the controller for SkillsNET Enterprises
in Waxahachie. Andy began his municipal career with the City of
Irving and has worked for the City of Palestine in the positions
of finance director and city manager. Approximately half of his
career was in the private sector, working in the accounting and
management fields.
Andy and his wife Nell have been married 33 years and have a daughter,
two sons, and three granddaughters. His daughter Alison is a CPA
for Roger Staubach in Addison. His son, Andrew, is a firefighter
in Palestine, and son Micah is attending pharmacy school in Michigan.
Andy’s hobbies include bluegrass music and growing gourmet
garlic.
The TCMA Management Messenger introduces and welcomes Ernest
Terry. Ernest is the new city manager for the City of
Fritch. He served six years in his previous position as city manager
for the City of Bovina. Ernest has a bachelor’s degree from
the University of Texas-El Paso and a master’s degree in
public administration from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Ernest and his wife Quida Elaine were married on December 20, 2005.
He enjoys playing chess and western trail riding. He may even take
up fishing now that he lives near Lake Meredith.
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Larry Groth, city manager for the City of Waco,
recently testified before a U.S. Senate panel supporting legislation
to authorize $8 million in federal funds for a sewer project to accommodate
growth in Waco and surrounding areas. The bill was unanimously approved
by the House and awaits approval by the Senate this month.
John Maresh was recently recognized for his service
of 20 years for the City of Sealy. He will resign his position as
city manager when his replacement is named and will serve as a consultant
for three months.
Tom Muehlenbeck, city manager for the City of Plano,
completed ICMA New Board Orientation on July 26-27. Tom serves on
the ICMA Board as vice president of the Mountain Plains Region.
Ron Patterson, assistant city manager for the City
of Frisco, retired from the Texas Air National Guard. Ron served
for 23 years and was presented with the Lone Star Distinguished Service
Medal.
George Russell, city manager for the City of Marble
Falls, will retire January 31, 2008.
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The City of Plano was awarded the TCMA City Council of the Year
Award on Monday, August 27. Mike Perez, TCMA president,
presented the award and recognized the Plano council for its high
standards. Tom Muehlenbeck, city manager for the
City of Plano, was also present to honor the council. Click Plano
City Council for the full story.
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The City of Allen hired Luis Tapia to participate
in the TCMA Internship Program. Luis will begin September 4 and will
be assigned to special projects in the city manager’s office
and the human resources department. Luis is currently enrolled in
the MPA program at the University of North Texas.
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I would like to thank TCMA for the opportunity it has provided me
through the Clarence E. Ridley Scholarship to pursue a master’s
in public administration.It truly is an honor to represent TCMA and
Mr. Ridley in this way.I have been amazed time and time again by
the character and ethical standards of TCMA members.It is the camaraderie
and dedication to public service that TCMA members demonstrate that
motivates and encourages individuals to become public servants.The
outstanding communities you create inspire future leaders to give
back through public service.Thank you again, and I look forward to
seeing you at events this year! Submitted by Micah Grau, 2007-08
Ridley Scholar and Finance Budget Analyst, Hutto
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The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report
in July projecting that in the next decade the largest challenge
facing state and local governments will be the rise of health-related
costs. Without policy changes, expenditures will exceed revenues,
with health care being the primary reason. The National League of
Cities has been positioning itself to address these needs. The GAO
report can be viewed by clicking on Fiscal
Challenges, and for information about NLC’s public finance
work, please contact Chris Hoene at hoene@nlc.org or
202-626-3172.
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The TCMA Board met on August 24 in McAllen at the McAllen Convention
Center.
The Ethics Committee will meet September 21 at the Texas Municipal
Center.
The Professional Development Committee will meet October 18-19 at
the Sheraton Arlington Hotel.
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Make a note of TML’s upcoming educational events:
Public Officials’ Liability Workshop, September
14, Texas Municipal Center, Austin
Grants for Texas Cities: When They’re Rolling In.
. . They Add Up! October 25-26, Texas Municipal Center,
Austin
Texas Municipal League Annual Conference and Exhibition,
November 6-9, Dallas Convention Center, Dallas
We also encourage you to visit the entire TML Web site at http://www.tml.org.
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Financial Planning Services: TCMA, in conjunction
with Total Compensation Group Advisors (TCG), offers a series of
financial planning and employment agreement services to TCMA members.
Recognizing the uniqueness of the city manager’s position,
these services are designed to address stability and security of
the profession. The services include financial planning, investment
advice, employment agreement structure and negotiation, and legal
advice. Educational programs are available to TCMA regions. A brochure
is available at tcma.org, or contact Blake Rhodes at www.tcma@tcginvestments.com or
512-306-9939.
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