Mayor Matt Webber
Alderman Bo Bunker
Alderman Steve Jones
Alderman Rick Moses
Alderman Nancy Schnell
Alderman Mike Wheeler
Gentlemen and Lady,
Thank you for the open process of selecting our new Police Chief. It is much appreciated and I think will help the city come together and solve the tremendous financial problems that we face.
After the recent experience with hiring an interim Chief that proved disastrous, I assume and trust that you have done the due diligence necessary to protect the city from further problems in hiring a Chief. I understand that both of the “outside” candidates have problems in their backgrounds but trust that you have investigated these problems, have come to the conclusion that the issues are irrelevant to the position, and have put forward for consideration the the best possible candidates for the job.
Given my assumptions and trust, there was really only one valid question that I had for each candidate at the reception that was held for the citizens on Saturday, January 11th.
That question was simple but means a lot to me as a citizen:
Why do you want to be Police Chief of Shoreacres?
I received the following answers:
Roger Free – He currently is the Chief in Point Comfort, a position that he has held for less than a year. In response to my question, he told me that his wife works in Galveston and that this would be much closer to her and allow him to move home. He told me that he was currently living in an RV during the week and goes home on weekends.
Curtis Pope – He told me that after 26 years with the Texas City Police Dept., he wants to retire and find a job close to home and that Shoreacres is just up the road from Texas City and would be an easy commute.
Troy Harrison – He told me that in his two years of working as an officer in the city, he has grown to love it. He has met several citizens that have become a part of his life. His training as a Marine has prepared him to be a leader and he has, on his own time, taken the training necessary to be a police chief. He has seen the problems in the department first hand and wants to lead the police force and remove it from city politics.
Other citizens listened to my questions and the answers given. In Mr. Pope’s case, one of the council members was present and heard his answer.
I have also had the opportunity to interact with Officer Troy Harrison in day to day activities in Shoreacres.
My recommendation, as a resident of Shoreacres, is to hire Officer Harrison as the permanent Chief of Police. I think that his character is unquestioned and that his military service in the Marines demonstrates his integrity and attitude of service to the community and will help him to improve the morale of the department.
I wish you the best in making this critical decision for the future of our city.
David Jennings
1017 W Forest Ave
Shoreacres, TX 77571
Neil Moyer says
Wot?? He wuz vetted by prior mayor…kiss of death with crazies!!