Mark Watson
Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson is being considered for a job in Texas, three council members confirmed Thursday evening.
Watson is a finalist for a city manager position, and a decision could be made in January, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan said.
The mayor said he hopes Watson, who started here in August 2010, stays in Oak Ridge.
“Mark Watson has been an outstanding city manager,” Beehan said. “He was a great hire.”
Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn said Watson told her that she could be receiving a call, possibly like a reference check, from a recruiting firm in relation to the Texas job.
She pointed out that council had just awarded Watson a 10 percent pay raise because, in part, some members said they didn’t want to lose him.
Apparently, the 10 percent raise wasn’t enough to keep him, Baughn said.
But Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Jane Miller said Watson did not seek the Texas job.
“They sought him out,” she said.
Miller said Watson told council members about the search on Wednesday, wanting to give them a “heads-up.”
Miller also said she did not want Watson to leave Oak Ridge.
“He’s made some great strides,” she said. “I would certainly hate to lose him at this particular time.”
She cited a range of economic development activities in which she said Watson played a role, including the redevelopment of the mostly empty Oak Ridge Mall, the new Kroger Marketplace shopping center and Woodland Town Center, and the hiring of Oak Ridge Police Department Chief Jim Akagi. She also cited the land bank that city officials are now setting up.
“I’m very positive and hopeful that this will take us somewhere where we need to be,” Miller said.
Baughn said it’s her understanding that Watson is being considered in Pearland, near Houston, where Watson’s son lives.
Watson was not available for comment Thursday evening.
Oak Ridge Today has not yet been able to confirm with Pearland officials or recruiting firm Strategic Government Resources that Watson is being considered for the city manager position there, although the current city manager, Bill Eisen, is retiring at the end of the month after 12 years. During Eisen’s tenure, Pearland’s population increased from 39,000 to more than 103,000, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Note: This story was last updated at 12:15 p.m. Dec. 20.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Kay Williamson says
He needs to GO GO GO!!! This is all the PROOF YOU NEED TO GET RID OF HIM,, He does not HAVE our CITY’S BEST INTEREST AT HEART!!! Whether he get the job or NOT, HE NEEDS TO GO GO GO!!!! I have repeatly been saying he SUCKS,,, GET OUT OF OUR TOWN,, PACK YOUR BAGS WE DON’T WANT YOU EITHER… ADIOS AMIGO, DON’T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YA..
Mike Mahathy says
Mr. Watson has done a good job. Oak Ridge has made steady positive progress in his tenure. There are still things needful for sure but all in all positive. The land bank is one good example. Of course if he decides he wants to go, then go.
Jamie Olson says
It seems from the article he did not personally seek this potential opportunity, but was identified by a recruiting firm. Time will tell if he is even offered the job and what his answer (if any) will be, but this particular story, as it stands now, has nothing to do with whether or not he holds the best interests of Oak Ridge at heart. It just means some recruiting firm saw him as a good candidate for a position. His performance as OR City Manager is a different topic, but I don’t think it’s fair to assign blame for something over which appears to have had no control.
BSSHipley says
HOw dare you. Mr Watson has done more for our community since he has been here then anyone else in the years before him. Instead of being negative ALL the time just because you dont get your own way why not try to see the good in people. Perhaps its you that needs TO GO GO GO and get OUT OF OUR TOWN.
Kay Williamson says
maybe you should walk in my shoes and then talk about Mr. Watson…
bsshipley says
Sorry to disappoint. I do walk in your shoes I too am a small business owner and without a good city manager leading the way and motivating people and being excited about the city and its potential then even local business men(women) cant accomplish much. Just because he doesn’t support YOUR agenda he SUPPORTS the city agenda of growing this GREAT city we can call home. If you dont like it i say LEAVE. Its people like you that are so single minded that hurts others that are trying to move this city forward.
Kay Williamson says
really what is so good that he’s done… all of the new business is by local business men NOT THE CITY MANAGER,, so I ask you WHAT DID HE DO…
Mack Bailey says
God help Texas. He came from the west, born and raised in the mid-west, and probably wants to go home. He was probably sought out the same way COR sought him–by hiring a head hunter.
Dave Smith says
Today’s KNS quotes councilwoman Baughn as stating that the job opening is for the city of Pearland, a city of 96,000 near Houston. Mr. Watson has a son living in Houston. The candidates for the city manager position were recruited by Strategic Government Services.
A city with a population near 100,000 seems unusually large to be governed by a city manager-commission organization. The largest city in Tennessee with a city manager government is Brentwood, with a population of about 40,000. They do say that EVERYTHING is bigger in Texas.
Sam Hopwood says
He has been an excellent city manager. Have often wondered how long he would stay in our little village. If he leaves, I wish him well. OR will have their hands full replacing him with someone of equal talent.
Pat Fain says
The question has always been over the extent to which Oak Ridge wants to continue to grow and prosper and the extent to which the old guard will fight to the death against positive change that will benefit the whole rather than line the pockets of the well connected. I have been a civic activist for more than 40 years and watched politicians, managers, superintendents and other civil servants come and go with great regularity. I have worked closely with many who serve the interest of the people well and helped move along a significant number who have only served the special interest crowd.
I have watched the loss of some very good people over time due to a multitude of factors and seen that they are too often followed by someone less than wonderful. I have been impressed positively by Mark Watson from the beginning and have watched his steady hand and sensible head move us forward with a rapidity seldom witnessed and good sense and good judgment even more rarely exhibited by those who seek to protect and advance the public good.
The south is an enigma even to those of us who have always lived here and must look like something out of a William Faulkner novel (which it is) to someone from the wild west. Mark has worked very hard to try to figure it out and has had some very notable successes. While he and I butt heads from time to time, I have a deep respect for his judgment overall. I sincerely hope that the challenges of the deep south have intrigued Mark sufficiently to make him want to stay put where he has done so much good and made so much positive happen in a city that previously was hopelessly mired in mediocrity and often downright self destructive behavior. We need you to pass on this one, Mark. There is a lot more to do.
Pat Fain
Carol Donath says
It seems like some people always complain about something or someone and often those comments are all people see. If he were seeking employment elsewhere, I would think he would have to give a heads up, maybe not. But since he was sought out by another community, they see him as a valued leader, just like in sports. The really good coaches are sought after. I am sure there are others who feel Mr. Watson is working for us as I do.