Kudos for Boudreau's city manager vote

Only a thorough, open and unbiased search for new top executive will restore confidence, credibility in Longview government

I’ve had nothing good to say about the Longview City Council’s four-member majority, whose actions this year have city government in upheaval.

But I want to give a shout-out to Mayor Spencer Boudreau. The youthful councilman last Tuesday helped deep-six a proposal by Councilwoman Kalei LaFave to make Jim Duscha the permanent city manager. 

Boudreau, who is a pivotal vote on the council, reminded the council’s majority bloc about its 4-3 March 13 vote to terminate former City Manager Kris Swanson. It was instigated in part by the fact that the former council promoted Swanson to city manager without a formal search.

Voting for LaFave’s motion would be “repeating the exact same action (used) to hire the former city manager, where there was immense public outcry from both sides of the aisle,” said Boudreau, who attended via Zoom. “This is not transparent.  It has nothing to do with Mr. Duscha himself. I think he is doing a fine job. But this is not the right move to make for our city, our council or our community.”

Afterward, Councilman Keith Young, “upon further reflection,” pulled his support for LaFave’s motion, and it died.

The council later voted 6-1 to start the process for finding a permanent city manager. LaFave cast the sole nay vote on the measure. Boudreau and Councilwoman Ruth Kendall brought the proposal to the council for consideration.

Boudreau, a two-year incumbent, has been deservedly criticized for going along with the three council freshman members elected last fall — LaFave, Young and Erik Halvorson — when they terminated Swanson without official cause and immediately tapped Duscha as interim.

At least for now Boudreau recognizes how two-faced it would be to hire Duscha now without a search and public process.

The process leading up to official council action was hush-hush. It has spawned a lawsuit alleging the foursome violated the state Open Meetings Act. Duscha, who retired as Longview police chief in 2020, has never had to apply, submit a resume or qualification or submit to a job interview. 

Firing Swanson over objections of former city managers, council members and dozens of city staff and citizens has led to resignations of top city administrators. It is proving costly and is delaying key city initiatives, as I’ve reported previously.  Voters should not forget this if Boudreau stands for re-election next year. (Council members Angie Wean and MaryAlice Wallis also are up for re-election next year.)

However, at least for now Boudreau recognizes how two-faced it would be to hire Duscha now without a search and public process. He previously opposed an earlier attempt to extend Duscha’s tenure until 2025.

Let’s hope this streak of independence continues. As mayor, his role is to lead, not follow.  He must recognize that the council must be ultra-transparent for healing and a restoration of credibility to take place.

The council ’s vote Tuesday created two separate council subcommittees to  work with the city’s HR director to recommend how to search for the next permanent city manager.  (For example, should it hire an executive recruitment and search firm?) The subcommittees are due to report Aug. 27.

Halvorson unsuccessfully attempted to remove the Aug. 27 deadline.

One committee is composed of council members Halvorson, Young and Ruth Kendall. LaFave and Wean are on the other. Boudreau and Wallis did not want to serve on the groups.

It’s good that the subcommittees mix members who have been at odds over this issue. It could promote healing and cooperation.

I’ve heard some people suggest that LaFave should recuse herself from the process. She’s been a long-time ally of Duscha since her days as head of United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. Duscha resigned from the United Way Board after she was terminated for financial mismanagement in 2015, although he never publicly explained the reason for his decision.

LaFave keeps saying Duscha is doing a good job as interim manager, even though the evidence so far says otherwise. She knew before proposing to make him permanent that the council, on that same evening, would be asked to hire a $250-an-hour consultant to help the city write its 2025-26 budget. LaFave does not seem to recognize that Duscha is tainted by the council’s own flawed process and that he will never have public credibility unless he goes head-to-head with other applicants — if he chooses to do so.

However,  excluding her — especially at this early stage of the process — from the search for a new city manager would be unfair to the people who voted for her.  She was duly elected and has a right to weigh-in on one of the most significant decisions the council can make.

Still, she herself must to be aware of her biases and put them aside for the sake of the city. Boudreau, I hope, is finding his moral compass in this matter. LaFave needs to as well.