Killeen Daily Herald

[Stu]

January 28, 2012

LTG Campbell leads the Army’s first multimedia and interactive town hall meeting and the best the KDH can do to report how it was received in the community is to quote two skeptics. The retort so totally fits - C’mon, man! (General fields questions at forum, KDH, Jan 27th).

The article was factual and timely – the KDH must have had the required two weeks to prepare - but was bland and exhibited a lack of propriety and editorial rigor. There were 400+ questions, on a wide range of relevant topics, but the KDH felt it both appropriate and necessary to highlight the local “anti-war, pro-Soldier” hangout and the musings of a Soldier concerned about Army policies to protect homosexuals. Really? Sadly, this skewed perspective is predictable given the track record of the KDH.

Fort Hood leaders were assiduous in conducting this town hall and making it a valuable experience and will no doubt ensure that every question is addressed. We’re blessed to have these leaders in our community. For the leading local newspaper to blandly report a “mixed reaction” was, once again, unsurprising and regrettable.

Still Serving, Army Strong!

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

[Stu]

April 9, 2012

The KDH is flailing, this time in a front page, above the fold “Herald Exclusive”. (Pentagon may cut 1st Cav battalion, April 8th). This disjointed, confusing cacophony of data and speculation will not inform the community but it certainly may cause unnecessary angst.

Some at the KDH remain absolutely clueless about military subjects despite the extraordinary efforts of local and national subject matter experts to educate them. Where to begin…..

1st Cavalry Division officials apparently said a battalion social event is not a harbinger of a pending force drawdown but the KDH opted to trust a source and run a misleading and incomplete article. It’s not unusual for military units to gather for social events prior to a deployment or before personnel are reassigned en-masse to new units. The former are usually early in the training cycle and before the tyranny of the urgent bow-waves the unit’s calendar. The KDH may be a lot of things but its not prescient and citing unofficial sources and a unit event as signals of looming force structure changes is absurd. And that is being kind.

The Pentagon doesn’t proactively make force structure changes. DoD makes recommendations but Congress makes decisions and often within the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) process, as it did in 2005. Instead of jumping to wrong conclusions the KDH should listen to experts, allow the process to mature, and responsibly report the facts. Its zero for three on this one.

If Congress implements a BRAC in 2013 – which is being discussed – the force structure impact to the Army will likely center on brigades, not battalions. Open source data reveals that DoD is considering eliminating the 4th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) in selected Army’s divisions. That decision however has not been made and most affected Soldiers would likely be dispersed across the force. As with the 4th Infantry Division’s move from Fort Hood to Fort Carson, the number of patches might change but the number of Soldiers would likely remain about the same. Once again, the KDH staff missed the mark when it rushed to trumpet “news” that is unsupported by facts.

The KDH staff might want to invest the time to learn about evolving changes to the Army Force Generation Model (ARFORGEN), specifically the difference between Deployed Expeditionary Force (DEF) and Contingency Expeditionary Force (CEF) missions. That might help the newsroom understand the emerging shift in how units are formed, equipped and trained for future operational deployments, including those at Fort Hood.

Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT), like those in the 1st Cavalry Division, have for years been structurally and functionally reorganized before deploying to Afghanistan. Pegasus 6 reinforced this point but apparently to no avail. In short, Soldiers, equipment and functions are temporarily added and subtracted from ABCTs to help the required organizational structure accomplish missions like training host nation security forces.

The KDH needs a Journalism 101 refresher vis-à-vis getting quotes right. “If the 4th Brigade Combat Team’s two maneuver brigades were divided among the ….” I’m sure Mr. Parry said two maneuver battalions. A correction is therefore in order. Flash cards would also help the staff understand the organizational structure of Army units.

Those interviewed reinforced that Congress has made neither force structure nor BRAC decisions. Read – Wait, it’s too early. The KDH, knowing better, ignored them and jumped to its desired conclusion. That’s often referred to as inventing news instead of reporting it. And it’s a bad thing.

No matter how many regional awards the KDH receives, it continues to have a choice in reporting issues that matter. It can either exercise patience and journalistic rigor, especially when that is in the best interests of all concerned, or it can stir the pot with inaccurate, incomplete and precipitous “Exclusives”. Unfortunately, the norm for important subjects remains tilted heavily in one direction.

Still Serving, Army Strong!

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

[Stu]

April 16, 2012

That’s a technique. Instead of admitting it’s front-page mistake as above, the KDH tried to cover the error within another front-page story. (Spartans celebrate at ‘Spring fest’, April 13)

The ball was indeed just a ball; and no doubt a good one. No surprise there – that’s the way the First Team rolls.

The story closed on page 3 with “It was previously reported that…” and a stray volt about DoD, force structure changes, and Germany. Not sure how all that was relevant to the article but that’s typical of the KDH.

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

[Stu]

July 24, 2012

“Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, these [low income] communities may have no food access or are served only by fast-food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options”.
US Department of Agriculture

The KDH has an uncanny ability to seize the absurd, this time a construct invented to justify Nanny State intrusion into where we shop and what we eat. (Killeen tackles food deserts, Sunday, July 22).

If you can, please define in 25-words or less why we should embrace the thesis, rationale, and solution contained in this expansive, front-page article and the supplemental data provided on page A-7 by the USDA Secretary, a US Senator, the Washington Post, and several apparently relevant experts. I sure can’t.

It would help if we first establish a relevant baseline. Urban decay and poverty are real issues; nutrition, exercise, sleep and hydration are keys to a healthy lifestyle; the proper balance of fruits, vegetables, oils, dairy, meat, and beans is essential to good nutrition; poor nutrition leads to health problems; and too much “fast food” is unhealthy.

The USDA defines “food deserts” as areas of mainly urban decay where 20% of inhabitant incomes are below the poverty threshold – in 2011, $22,350 for a family of four living in the lower 48 states - and 33% of these live at least 1-mile from “acceptable” food stores, 10-miles in rural settings. I was unable to find a source that defines the USDA standard for “acceptable” vis-à-vis food stores.

Direct market food sources are valuable sources of fresh, healthy and affordable food but it’s ludicrous to claim they require government subsidies to help low-income Americans escape so-called “food deserts”. Why not just extol their value and continue to educate and encourage behavioral change? Probably because Nanny Staters – like the Major of New York City – are uber-smart and frustrated by not seeing the desired pace and degree of societal change.

In typical liberal fashion, when all else fails, appeal to feelings and drown with data. Spewing studies and regulations no doubt also keeps some public sector employees employed.

Its not surprising that “convenience stores” with “over-priced food items” are under attack given the Obama administration's 2010 Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) and Mrs. Obama's "Lets Move" campaign to counter childhood obesity. The intent and goal are commendable but, as Captain Renault might say, I’m shocked, shocked, to find that fresh food prices in convenience stores exceed those in large grocery stores.

News flash. That’s why the word “store” is preceded by “convenience”. Economic status, habitat and store location, and mode of transportation are irrelevant – everyone pays more in a convenience store because you’re also paying for the convenience. Fortunately, prices don’t usually include the cost of roads built by others.

Its important to note that the USDA and National Academy of Science (Institute of Medicine) has neither established a causal link between “food deserts” and dietary health, nor proved that increasing access to fresh food changes people's behavior and solves urban decay. We should continue to educate our citizens but, barring martial law, Nanny Staters will likely be unable to stop those who choose to shop in convenience stores, including those using food stamps.

It’s really pretty simple. The main barrier to raising the nutritional water level in America is behavior as shaped by education. It’s not transportation; location; quantity, variety, and price; or a nefarious plot to site grocery stores in a way that represses the poor and minorities. In America, we can figure out ways to get everyone from Point A to Point B and back.

For the sake of argument though, lets pretend “food deserts” were real and a story that needed to be told. The KDH again failed to provide the level of journalistic rigor expected by informed readers. The article could/should have included the following.

• Explain how the use of “census tracks” resulted in boundaries depicted on the USDA maps, specifically those for Killeen, Temple and Copperas Cove. Note that the eastern side of the Killeen map is dominated by Stonetree Golf Course, Skylark Airfield, and undeveloped property.

• Interview residents of The Willows, Green Forest Circle, and Stillwood Drive to get their reaction to living in a “food desert”.

• Explain why the Green Avenue Farmers Market (717 North 2d Street) is considered part of the solution but not the IGA Foodliner (3301 East Rancier), Killeen Food Care Center (210 North 16th Street), and HEB (809 North Gray). All are located just outside the Killeen “food desert” boundary and accessible via the HOP. It is also possible that folks in this area especially consider the Food Care Center an oasis.

• Illuminate the vision for how the Killeen Hike and Bike Trail facilitates food access, specifically during winter, summer, and inclement weather.

• Educate readers on the USDA initiative that provides taxpayer funded, non-construction, competitive grants to enable direct marketing. Explain how congress created the Farmers Market Promotion Program via an amendment to the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2002 (aka the Farm Bill) and the benefits accrued by $35 million in grants since 2006, $10 million each in 2011 and 2012. Grants are intended to encourage communities to establish Farmers Markets because they benefit local and regional economies. As with farm, ethanol, and oil subsidies however, these grants are not essential, contain embedded federal hooks, and omit small retailers, grocery cooperatives, and roadside stores, all operating without government subsidies.

• Highlight the KISD nutrition program that provides breakfast and lunch meals year-round, often at locations within the footprint or walking distance of the Killeen “food desert”.

Enough, you get the point. Rigor is good.

The uninformed and entitlement-centric will however likely accept the USDA meme as parroted by the media. Purporting the existence of “food deserts” in America however is as asinine as arguing that requiring photo IDs infringes on the ability of minorities and old people to vote. But then, mirages make people do strange things.

The KDH is quick to note that a limited number of reporters constrain its ability to cover community events. Yet it continues to dedicate them to inane stray-volts like “food deserts”. Perhaps a better use of reporters would be to have them attend all local city council meetings instead.

I’m probably just being cynical. After all, if the federal government said it, then it must be true. “Food deserts” are even on the Internet. Right. And I’m a French model.

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

[Stu]

September 1, 2012

I’ve recommended previously that the KDH staff use a military equipment primer but it apparently also needs one for military ranks since mistakes on service branch and rank remain standard data when addressing Soldiers. (We did it together, - Fort Hood’s highest-ranking NCO retires after 34 years of service, August 30, 2012.)

The Commanding General of III Corps and Fort Hood is a LTG - the Army abbreviation for Lieutenant General (aka 3-star).

In the pictures, LTG Campbell is referred to as a LtCol - the Air Force abbreviation for Lieutenant Colonel, four ranks below a LTG.

In the article, LTG Campbell is referred to as a LtGen - the Air Force abbreviation for Lieutenant General.

In both, the KDH used the abbreviation NCO – Non-Commissioned Officer – and therefore should have also used CSM, the Army abbreviation for Command Sergeant Major. I’m not sure where “Command Sgt. Maj.” came from – someone at the KDH must have made it up.

These mistakes are nothing in the great scheme of things and Soldiers get used to them when dealing with the media. Their frequency however highlights a negative trend that continues at the KDH – the staff is untrained in military topics and editors fail to check. That’s not good, especially for the newspaper serving the Army’s largest mounted warfare installation.

Still Serving! Army Strong!

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

[Stu]

October 21, 2012

“Food Deserts” again. Really?

The American economy is sputtering; the President’s foreign policy is imploding; the Benghazi debacle remains shrouded in deceit; the third presidential debate is tomorrow; and American voters face a pivotal election in two weeks. Yet “Food Deserts” dominate the front page of today’s KDH. (Few options for fresh food, October 21, 2012)

It would have been better to leverage the KDH reporter embedded at the AUSA convention in Washington DC. At least that topic is relevant, especially with sequestration potentially looming on the near horizon.

The article regurgitates the same USDA meme contained in the original KDH article on July 22, 2012. It provides none of the editorial rigor suggested above but attempts, unsuccessfully at that, to demonstrate how hard and unfair life can be in America. This feeble attempt at journalism likely evoked emotion but likely not that hoped for by the reporter.

The facts remain. Life is hard at times but fresh food is plentiful, transportation is available, and Americans find ways to overcome and adapt.

Editorial selections like this are just another example of why the legacy print media is dying.

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

[Stu]

January 13, 2013

The headline was promising but the article lacked a key piece of the good-news story vis-à-vis training facilities. (Fort Hood gets $50 million for construction, KDH, January 11, 2013)

The President’s $633 billion FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act authorizes DoD to pursue a number of projects and programs; some the Department of Defense wants and some it does not. The former includes $50 million in new construction at Fort Hood of a Training Support Center and Unmanned Aerial System complex and renovation of a small arms, record-fire range. The NDAA however does not appropriate funds.

It’s appropriate for reporters to discuss infrastructure with the Directorate of Public Works. It’s also appropriate to discuss training with the staffs of III Corps, the Mission Support Element, and Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security. If that had been done then we’d know that Forces Command has also allocated Fort Hood ~$51 million in FY 2015 for a new Mission Training Complex.

I’ll avoid delving into DoD’s Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution System other than to say it includes a sliding 5-year mechanism called the Future Years Defense Program to justify requests to Congress which then appropriates funds. The Fort Hood TSC manages training simulators and a new facility has been included in the FY 2014 FYDP for several years. The Fort Hood MTC however has been in-again, out-again several times in the FY 2015 FYDP.

Here’s the good news - FORSCOM and III Corps recently agreed on construction trade-offs and a new MTC is again in the FY 2015 FYDP. This facility will replace a number of older buildings – some made of WWII era wood - and consolidate several dispersed training functions to provide a superb environment for the conduct of command and control training using simulations. The MTC will also serve as the nexus for an integrated live range, virtual simulator, computer simulations, and gaming technology training capability called the Live-Virtual-Constructive Integrated Training Environment. The Army tested the LVC ITE at Fort Hood last fall and then fielded it first to Fort Hood in December 2012.

$50 million in new military construction at Fort Hood is a big deal, especially in the current economic environment. $100+ million is even better, especially as the Army reenergizes home-station training capabilities. Unfortunately, the KDH only gave readers part of the story.

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

[Stu]

January 21, 2013

I'm hard on the KDH but, as noted previously, give credit when they get it right. (Height’s resident: “I’m speaking for the trees”, KDH January 20, 2013.)

The genesis of this article was my briefing to the Harker Heights city council during its regular meeting on January 8, 2013. I provided a copy of my written statement to the city – pasted below but slightly modified to remove information about neighbors - and used visual aids: a piece of the melted electric line and pictures of the mangled trees. I then met on-site with officials from Harker Heights, Oncor, Time Warner and CenturyLink between December 11th and January 8th to discuss the way-ahead. I also solicited input from Duncan Brooks, my arborist.

I emailed Kristi yesterday. Her integration of the city and Oncor perspectives was well done and the Editorial provided valuable "reinforcing fires”, especially regarding tree viability and their impact on property values. Together, they provided readers useful information that can improve our community. I call that journalism.

I asked Kristi to keep the article positive and focused on process and information sharing. She did but I need to note two corrections. First, I encouraged the city to work with Oncor to improve (not approve) the way trees are identified and protected. It is likely that any local ordinances would need to be shaped by input from the State of Texas. Second, I did in fact take issue with how Oncor’s subcontractor mangled some of the trees, as well as Oncor’s failure to notify other service providers that falling limbs – not the cold front – damaged their lines.

Have you read Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax? If not, do. It takes just 5-minutes. Unlike Theodor, I’m neither a staunch environmentalist nor railing against consumerism but you'll see the connection fits and why the word “Unless” is key. We could use more of the latter in our community, state and nation.

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

*****
January 8, 2013

Good afternoon, my name is Stu McLennan and I’ve been a resident of Harker Heights since July 2001.

Recommend the city coordinate with Oncor, and other utility service providers as required, to improve the way trees are identified prior to, and protected during, routine maintenance and emergency repairs of overhead utility lines located in high foliage residential areas.

On December 10, 2012, a cold front and strong northerly winds caused tree limbs to break several electric lines along both my rear fence line and one between [two neighbors].

An explosion of sparks awoke me at 0230 and I watched as tree limbs buffeted several lines; the lines imploded and broke; and sparks cause a fire in leaves in the back yard of [the house behind me] and vacant since October 2010. I quickly dressed, extinguished the fire with a garden hose, and called 911 at 0240.

I know it wasn’t smart to be spraying water on the ground below exploding electric lines but I didn’t want the fire to spread, especially to my new wooden fence.

HHFD and Oncor reps were on-site at 0300. I’ve provided a written chronology of events between Dec 10th and Dec 26th when Oncor, Time Warner Cable, and Century Link completed repairs. I’d like to commend Mark Hyde [Director of Public Works for Harker Heights] who, as usual, was engaged and responsive. I’d also like to make three recommendations.

First, that the city help implement proactive mechanisms designed to preserve trees.
• Encourage service providers and residents to collaborate on potential issues in high foliage areas served by overhead utility lines.
• Increase visibility of Oncor’s willingness to conduct “Make Safe” recons with residents along property and utility easement lines.

Being proactive best sets conditions for residents to have trees professionally trimmed and to be informed on preserving trees as a key, yet often overlooked and expensive, component of property value.

Of particular concern in this instance is a large Live Oak adjacent to the transformer pole located in the rear yard [of another neighbor].

I made the same recommendation after a similar incident on my property when a transformer blew on Sep 14, 2009.

Second, that the city generate an ordinance that balances the timely response of service providers with crew and resident safety, the protection of property, service interruption and restoration, utility line maintenance and repairs, and tree preservation, especially high-value Oaks.
• The Wrights crew was professional but severely mangled – some might say butchered – several trees in the process.
• I took video of the crew in the trees on ropes and using chainsaws to cut off branches, many at the trunk. This was done in the dark except for light provided by a couple of ground-mounted floodlights.
• Trees should be trimmed during daylight and involve residents if possible. This may require extended utility interruptions during emergencies but crew safety and tree preservation are worth a relatively short delay.
• Establish a time-line to apply pruning paint to cut wounds on Oak trees. The crew member trimming the Red Oak in my yard did a good job, and used black spray paint to immediately seal the cut sites. Of note, I stood in my backyard and watched the entire time he was in my tree.
• Confirm the source of Oncor’s “7-foot standard”. OSHA also apparently has a 10-foot standard. As you can see from the pictures, many of the branches were cut off at the trunks and thus far exceeded both standards.

Third, that the city request utility service providers share information regarding cable and equipment damage.
• Oncor repaired its lines on December 10th but neither informed Century Link nor Time Warner that tree trimming operations had damaged their cables.
• The city notified both companies and repairs were completed on Dec 18th and Dec 20th respectively.

Speaking of Time Warner, I briefed the Council on March 27, 2012 about service disruptions in Highland Oaks Estates. I’m happy to report that, while it took 18-months, the problem was resolved on October 12, 2012. A line maintenance crew found and replaced a line connector that was full of water.

In sum, service providers and residents – assisted by the city - can do better when it comes to conducting routine and emergency overhead utility line maintenance and repairs in high foliage areas while simultaneously preserving trees. The drought has stressed many of the trees, and not just the Oaks, and implementing measures to facilitate their survivability will benefit both residents and this community.

Thank you for your time and attention.

[Stu]

March 20, 2013

Texans will quickly resolve the school security dilemma after the legislature removes carry restrictions in Texas Penal Code Chapter 46. (Guns on campus debate, Killeen Daily Herald, March 15.)

In addition to law enforcement officers, school districts could leverage a small cadre of employees and volunteer Concealed Handgun License (CHL) holders to provide layered armed security. (Candidates address issue of guns in schools, March 19) The latter could be deployed like federal Sky Marshals; rotating between campuses and varying on-site presence each day. Few would need to know the location of School Marshals and not all campuses would likely be covered each day.

The legislature should give school districts the freedom to adopt solutions that fit their communities. A policy change would also send a clear Texas message – our schools are no longer Gun Free Zones and an armed capability has been sensibly integrated into the security system that protects our children.

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

[Stu]

April 28, 2013

The municipal election is in 14-days. (Candidates share views before early voting starts, Killeen Daily Herald, April 28.) The Voters’ Guide on pages A6 and A7 was space constrained but allowed candidates to state their qualifications and opine on issues. The online version allowed candidates to expand on their answers and address additional questions but neither provides the Paul Harvey. Permit me to expand on one of the Harker Heights races.

First, what makes a candidate best qualified to serve on a city council? The answer is a heavy dose of relevant experience with boards or commissions appointed by the council as augmented by personal character, life lessons, professional experience and expertise, and civic involvement.

After 7+ years of volunteer service, I’m now the candidate with the most relevant experience with city governance and therefore the best qualified for Place 1 on the city council. I was invited to and participated in three candidate forums - Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce, NAACP and LULAC, and Kiwanis. A fourth is tomorrow - Exchange Club - and I’ll again highlight my experience and contrast it with the other two candidates for Place 1.

I served on the Harker Heights Planning & Zoning Commission from 2005 to 2012. I was elected Vice Chairman in 2007 and Chairman four times from 2008 to 2012. I served on the Infrastructure Committee of Exploring New Heights in 2008. I participated in joint workshops with the Council and staff in 2008 and 2011 that refined the city’s strategic priorities. During this 7-year period, I worked closely with the City Manager, four Planning Directors, and the city staff. I also became familiar with the Texas Local Government Code and the Harker Heights Comprehensive Plan, Code of Ordinances, Exploring New Heights, and Land Use and Thoroughfare Plans. Neither of the other candidates can match this record of relevant, successful experience.

It should be noted that military careers leading Soldiers, business careers managing malls, and community involvement are commendable but equating them to city governance is a stretch. It’s a fact that candidates with recent, relevant experience in city governance have a flatter learning curve and that sets conditions for them to be more effective and sooner during a 3-year term. I’m that candidate for Harker Heights Place 1.

Second, what have candidates done recently to prepare to serve on the Council?

In addition to leading the P&Z for 5-years, I’ve attended 21 meetings and 9 workshops since February 2012, learned the issues, and distilled the city’s strategic needs and priorities. One candidate began attending city council meetings in January of this year only after being encouraged to do so. No one has seen the third candidate at any city council functions or candidate forums. Makes you wonder why he’s running……

Two additional comments.

I chose not to clutter the community with campaign signs. Personally, I think they’re obnoxious but I understand the role they play in “politics”. Still, minimize was in effect. So, I did what Soldiers do. I analyzed the avenues of approach (aka roads) and results of previous municipal elections; identified key terrain and voter concentrations; created a map overlay and identified six key locations; placed 4x8 foot signs at each; and distributed yard signs to cover the gaps. My friends just smile and shake their heads.

I also chose neither to seek public endorsements nor to solicit financial contributions. Family and community relationships put some people in uncomfortable positions when asked to publicly choose between friends. So I didn’t. I’ve been encouraged however by the response to my approach and am confident voters will choose wisely.

I’d now like to address some good news that a few are attempting – poorly, at that - to spin as an issue.

I was hired on April 11, 2013 to join Team Killeen as the Executive Director for Support Services. I’m now responsible for providing visionary, effective and efficient leadership to and operational management of the Fleet, Building, Custodial, and Printing services divisions and the Purchasing department. I’m leading a great team of 59 people and managing a department budget of $2.9 million.

I didn’t seek this job – it pursued me. I then had the option to wait until after the election to decide. Some encouraged me to do that but when God opens a door we have a choice to trust His timing, or not. The new team is forming and we’re committed to changing the culture in the motor pool, fixing systemic problems, and restoring confidence in Fleet Services.

Does this pose a conflict of interest? The answer is “No” – neither the city charters nor State statute prohibit serving in an elected position in one city and city staff in another. It would however provide a unique and timely opportunity to enhance local cooperation and synergy across the Greater Fort Hood community. Regional issues require team solutions and resource efficiencies; areas like public safety, water planning, and infrastructure construction. An example is the ongoing Rosewood extension at Hwy 190. The bottom line is this – leaders with integrity and experience are best equipped to team with others to resolve common issues and no daylight needs to exist between local communities in that process.

You can click-in to my Website to learn more - http://www.stu4council.org. Elections are decided by votes; not campaign signs, newspaper ads, or flyers. Choosing those with relevant experience in city governance is wise because we deserve the government we elect.

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

[Stu]

May 4, 2013

The annoying trend continues. (Killeen, Heights rivals face off, April 30, 2013)

The KDH remains challenged in a core competence of journalism – rigorously reporting news that informs readers about important subjects. An example is a dust-up from a recent Exchange Club candidates forum.

The quote: “Military careers leading Soldiers, business careers managing malls, and involvement in the community are commendable but equating them to city governance is a stretch. Fact - candidates with relevant experience in city governance have a flatter learning curve and that sets conditions for them to be more effective and sooner during a 3-year term. I’m that candidate for Place 1.”

The report: “McLennan challenged the other candidates level of relevant experience for the council position, saying it would be a “stretch” to equate other careers to one in city government.”

The retort: “I regret that Mr. McLennan has to elevate his limited experience by disparaging my extensive business credentials and experience derived over a long and successful business career.”

The KDH had the opportunity to redeem itself but only included half the quote in a follow-up article in the Harker Heights Herald on May 3, 2013.

The crux of the Place 1 election is relevant experience. Webster’s defines relevant as being closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand. If you read the Voters Guide then you may have asked yourself “Did he really just say “limited experience”?” Someone is either in denial, spinning, or both.

If the goal is to inform voters, and not just stir the pot, then someone at the KDH should have read the city charter, learned what the city council does, and conducted follow-ups with the candidates. You know, the whole “We Report, You Decide” thing. That didn’t happen, so I’ll again stand in the gap.

Governance functions are codified in the City Charter; a pocket sized, 19-page document last updated in May 1991. Harker Heights has a Council-Manager form of government (1.02) with duties aligned as follows.

City:

1) Coordinate intergovernmental relations. (2.03)
2) Exchange territory with other cities/towns. (2.06)
3) Condemn property and exercise eminent domain. (2.08)
4) Establish and manage streets, parks, bridges, sidewalks, and public places. (2.09).
5) Manage utility pipes, lines, and wires. (2.10)
6) Provide for and manage a sewer system. (2.13)
7) Maintain a police force. (2.14)
8.) Define and regulate nuisances. (2.15)
9) Levy and collect occupation and license taxes. (2.16)
10) Condemn and remove dangerous structures. (2.17)

Council:

1) Enact local legislation [by ordinance]. (1.02, 3.13)
-Designate territory to be annexed. (2.04)
-Establish city limits, adopt and modify the city map, and annex territory. (2.05, 3.07, 3.08)
-Create up to four (4) wards and change boundaries. (2.07)
-Manage handling & disposal of garbage, trash [& recycle]. (2.11)
-ICW 2.07, expand the Council to seven (7) members. (3.04.01)
-ICW 2.17, adopt and execute plans to rehabilitate areas designated as blighted or affected by disaster. (3.07.9, 3.07.10)
-Regulate [taxi services] operating within the city. (3.07.11)
-Adopt [building fire code standards]. (3.07.12)
-Approve elections. (3.12)
-Consider certified initiatives or referendum petitions. (8.07)
-Propose amendments to the City Charter. (10.03)

2) Adopt the annual city budget (1.02, 3.07.3)
-Establish the salary of the Mayor and City Council. (3.04)
-Assess and collect an annual property tax. (6.01)
-Conduct a public hearing. (5.05)
-Authorize bonds. (3.07.4)
-Designate a CPA to conduct an annual audit. (3.16)

3) Determine policies (1.02)
-Appoint boards and commissions. (3.07.6)
-Adopt plats. (3.07.7)
-Establish regulations for the conduct of municipal elections. (7.02)
-Fill Council vacancies as required. (8.17)

4) Employ the City Manager. (1.02, 3.07.1)
-Establish [city staff] departments and distribute work. (3.07.2)
-Provide oversight and conduct investigations. (3.07.5, 3.15)

5) Appoint a City Judge as Magistrate of the City Court. Establish a salary. (2.12, 3.09)
-Appoint a City Attorney. Establish a salary. (3.10)

Like I said, military and civilian careers and community involvement are commendable, and help shape us, but they do not by themselves provide relevant experience in city governance. You can best do that by volunteering to serve on appointed boards and commissions. Doing so for extended periods of time is the optimal solution if you then desire to serve in an elected position. I think I said that too.

This is yet another example of the media kabuki-dance that causes competent, qualified people to eschew public office and/or distrust the media. Some acknowledge the challenge and press on because they’re responding to a high calling. Our community is best served when citizens ignore the chaff, learn the facts, and vote for candidates who model integrity and possess relevant experience. It’s Go Time!

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights

[Stu]

May 11, 2013

More of same.

If someone asked “What have you learned from this campaign?”, the answer would include an appreciation for why public figures get annoyed with the media, in this case the KDH. You could opt to answer every question in writing but reporters still need to be educated about the basics of city government before they put finger to keyboard.

Case in point. “With Saturday’s election approaching, all Harker Heights City Council candidates expressed support for establishing a master city development plan, a hot-button issue recently tapped by council members. Stu McLennan said an across-the-board concept plan should cover spacing requirements between businesses and roads and compatibility with surrounding areas.” (Candidates outline plans for city ahead of election, Harker Heights Herald, May 10.)

News flash. Harker Heights already has a “master plan” - it’s called the Comprehensive Plan. I’ve consistently referred to this document during this campaign but the reporter apparently got confused after witnessing the spirited discussion about Concept Plans at a recent council workshop.

The two are not the same.

Comprehensive Plan. The most recent version is dated Jan 23, 2007 and contains relevant historical data, an inventory of City resources, and City goals and objectives and a framework for attaining them. An important supporting document is Exploring New Heights II. The most recent version of this document is dated Oct 7, 2007 and contains citizen input vis-à-vis the Comprehensive Plan.

Concept Plan. Also known as a Concept Development Plan, it serves as one of several master-planning tools that normally precede the platting process. The Concept Plan specifically informs how an individual lot(s) will achieve synergy with the surrounding area. Some landowners object to using it because of potential impacts but land within the city – and even the ETJ - is not developed in a vacuum and cooperation is essential. Planning considerations are reasonable and contained in the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 154.20(a)(2)(a).

I’ve displayed copies of the City Charter, Comprehensive Plan, and Exploring New Heights at each of the candidate forums. I’ve consistently used the correct terms and explained their importance, especially when KDH reporters are present. It’s annoying to then see my name imbedded in a muddled, inaccurate article.

I emailed the reporter but a correction is likely not forthcoming. This is worse than.....but there is no genie to fix it. This will have to suffice.

Stu McLennan
Harker Heights