Published: May 22, 2006 11:03 pm         

Council members criticize Alva city manager for making decisions without approval

ALVA — The city’s business manager is being criticized for keeping council members in the dark by making decisions without their approval.

Ward I Councilman Murl Wilkins said some residents have been taking issue with Steve Tomberlin, Alva’s business manager, for problems surrounding a grant-funded sidewalk project and the county’s enhanced 911 system.

Wilkins moved to table an item on the May 15 city council agenda to rehire Tomberlin. The item is set to appear on the June 5 meeting agenda, Wilkins said. The vote was unanimous to table the item.

Wilkins said he wants to see an evaluation process and job description outlined for the business manager position.

Tomberlin said city leaders are working for residents on the particular issues, but they aren’t likely to please all the people, all the time.

“We’re working out those problems,” Tomberlin said.

Jerrie McKinley, Ward II city councilwoman, said she has been repeatedly accosted by people who are unhappy with the way the downtown area looks.

“Unfortunately, they don’t realize we cannot do anything,” McKinley said. “It’s up to business owners to improve the appearance of their business. It’s the business owners’ job to keep the sidewalks up.”

Both McKinley and Tom-berlin say they are working toward a grant to help beautify downtown.

The city was recipient several years ago of a transportation enhancement grant earmarked to follow the prisoner of war trail through the Northwestern Oklahoma State University campus to near the airport. One group, Tomberlin said, was unhappy the money wasn’t being used to plant trees and update around the city’s downtown square.

“Part of that will be up with the council,” Tomberlin said.

When the Woods County enhanced-911 system takes effect this week, dispatching duties will become the county’s responsibility.

“That’s been an issue,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins called Tomberlin a “power freak” and said there have been a number of “problems in this (enhanced 911) transaction.

“He seems to want to dictate everything,” Wilkins said.

Tomberlin said not all the dispatchers are familiar with the system and not everyone has been happy with the transition.

“Some don’t like the new arrangement,” Tomberlin said. “It’s all new to everybody.”

McKinley said council members have to remember they are representing residents, but ultimately the council is responsible for making decisions.

“Sometimes what’s best for the city isn’t what the people want,” she said.

As for Tomberlin’s future at Alva, Wilkins said there will be an executive session June 5, but there may or may not be action taken on Tomberlin’s rehiring.

Tomberlin has been the city’s business manager for 16 years. He said residents should look at Alva’s track record over the past 16 years to see progress.

“People today want a quick response and that just doesn’t happen,” Tomberlin said. “We try to work with everyone. You’ve got to realize you’re representing all of them.”