MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The president of Morgantown Firefighters IAFF Local 313 came to WAJR’s “Talk of the Town” to express deep concerns about a charter change on the April ballot that would allow the city manager to reside outside city limits.
The current policy states a city manager must become a resident of the city after accepting the job, but residency is not a requirement to be a candidate. Leading to President Chuck Campbell speculating on where the measure came from and what the purpose is?
“We’re not sure where this initiative even came from or what the purpose behind it is?” Campbell asked. “But, on face value, it just doesn’t make sense to us.”
Campbell cited the quickly changing environment and the need to be available when issues that need immediate attention arise. Being on the ground gives the leader of the city administration the complete perspective rather than the assessment of another city employee.
“The individual who is responsible and charged with the day-to-day operations of the city and the well-being of the city should probably have a vested interest in the city,” Campbell said. “It’s hard to correct the issues if you’re residing in the city and understanding what the issues are.”
The weekends are an important time for the image of the city and another important time for the manager to be visible and set the tone for city operations. Living in the city limits gives the manager more opportunities to be a hands-on leader that provides needed direction to maintain consistent operations through the week.
“Anybody who lives in Morgantown understands that the city of Morgantown at 2 o’clock in the afternoon on a Wednesday is not the city of Morgantown at 10 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon,” Campbell said. “Game days change the city in a matter of hours.”
The residency requirement puts the city manager on the ground to see the strains on the public safety network and how the city works with other agencies. There would also be more team building between managing agencies that could help morale and improve performance.
“Whether it be a WVU basketball game that affects traffic in the Evansdale, Sunnyside area of the city or a WVU football game that affects everything,” Campbell said.
The matter is on the ballot because the issue was challenged in writing by a city resident, requiring the city to either reject the idea or let the voters decide. Members of the city council most recently voted 4-3 to support the charter change before the written objection was filed.
“The city is ever-changing, and if you’re not here to see the changes, I’m not sure how you can repair issues, make improvements, or have a real understanding of what Morgantown is,” Campbell said.