Williamsburg has chance to embrace openness and transparency
City Council should prioritize fresh voices and viewpoints in search for new leadership
This post is guest commentary and contains opinions that are not necessarily those of the Williamsburg Independent.
The recent departure of the City Manager provides an opportunity for the City to engage a fresh voice with new ideas for the future of our City. We can change the culture that has in recent years undermined clarity, accountability, and public trust and introduce a climate of openness and transparency. The City should seek a new City Manager from outside the current City staff.
The City of Williamsburg has long stood as a symbol of representative governance – one in which public officials act in the best interests of the people they serve, and not special interests. In recent years, the City has taken actions that have undermined transparency and public trust. Among them were threats of legal action against residents for displaying small yard signs expressing opposition to City proposed plans.
More troubling, the City failed in its fundamental duties: the responsible management of essential public infrastructure. The water system, critical to the health and well-being of all residents, has not been properly maintained or updated. The City instigated a failed power play to separate the combined school system resulting in higher costs to the City and in the meantime ignored the needs of under-performing students. And despite record increases in real estate assessments and revenues, the City continues to pile on debt and increase City staff faster than the increase in the City population.
These actions reflect a broader pattern of governance that is neither open nor responsive to the community. When officials ignore residents’ concerns, obscure vital information, and prioritize special interests over public welfare, they erode the foundational trust upon which effective local government depends.
Hiring a new City Manager unassociated with these past decisions and with fresh ideas for the future of the City should be your priority. We need new leadership committed to transparency, integrity, and the people of Williamsburg.
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About the Writer: During a 45-year career, Robert Wilson worked with senior leadership teams to develop and implement innovative strategic and business plans that have fostered growth and profitability. Mr. Wilson holds a BBA degree from the College of William & Mary, a MS in Finance degree from the University of Arizona, and a Doctorate in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.
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Now would be a great time for the City of Williamsburg to host a series of listening sessions throughout the community. All community viewpoints should be encouraged without any encumbrances of City-generated advocacy nor rationalizations. Having a skilled facilitator independent of current staff and council would be a requirement. Any city manager search should be delayed until all the community voices are heard and understood.
I think the author is making assumptions that the interim City Manager knew about and agreed with past decisions of the former City Manager. We don’t know that at all and I personally think Ms. DeWitt is an extremely talented professional who has served the City for years and I think is very well respected by residents and Council alike.