The executive committee of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council met again this week, in a special called session, to discuss the contract of EDC President James Chavez. Some want him gone.
Why, specifically, we don’t know, but the street talk has been intense. Rumors of his possible firing have been “hot and heavy” for the last couple of months, but have intensified in the last week.
The meeting this week was a total waste of time, causing a lot of anxiety on both sides of the issue, and was adjourned until board members could get clarification about discussing personnel matters in public. We may never know “on the record” what the problem is, but this dispute could not come at a worse time.
Clarksville/Montgomery County is on one of the hottest streaks in the country. In spite of all of our “petty” politics, and disagreements, this city is kicking ass. We landed Hemlock Semiconductor Company, an investment worth billions. We have a major economic engine in Austin Peay State University, and Fort Campbell.
The housing market is good, not great, but steady. We have infrastructure problems other communities would love to be griping about. We’re not sitting around “pickin” our noses. We’re on the move. If we were Albert Pujols, we would get an unprecedented contract. That’s why this “soap opera” is disappointing.
Depending on who you talk to, and I’ve talked to a lot of people connected to this, James Chavez has either done a great job, or he’s a pain in the ass.
The bottom line is, he was heavily involved in landing the greatest single investment in our community ever. He didn’t do it alone. It took lots of teamwork, and there was plenty of credit to go around. I don’t care that he comes off as arrogant, or cocky. I’ve had my disagreements with James, but I think he’s smart enough to “get the message” and make the appropriate changes in how he conducts himself and how he relates to those who expect better.
If he’s done something that warrants being terminated, then so be it, but this smells a little like Kraft Street on a hot summer night. The public has a right to know. That’s why I’m disappointed that the executive committee might retreat behind closed doors and shut us out.
Clarksville needs a salesman. Someone who’s not afraid to do the work, and sell the product. Chavez knows how to “hobnob” his way around the recruitment game. He’s comfortable in that environment and despite his faults, (and we all have them), we’re not as “top heavy” in leadership as we would like to be. That’s not to say we don’t have good people, but if you have the best car on the market, and nobody to sell it, what good is it?
If you have an employee that’s worked hard, and done a decent job, but makes mistakes, is that employee worth saving? Is the problem too serious to overcome? Can broken relationships be fixed? The people who have a problem with James Chavez need to sit down, air their differences, then shake hands and get back to work.
I think we all remember the Joe Pitts/George Halford experience several years ago. That turned into one big “power play” and next thing you knew, Halford was gone. This is a similar situation.
It’s a real political gamble for some of the players, and if it doesn’t get fixed, then the citizens of this great city will suffer. With HSC moving along, we have loads of opportunities, and now is not the time to be looking for a replacement for Chavez.
Put all the cards on the table, and let’s play. I’m game.
