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Gosack Gains Support Ahead of Performance Review

Fort Smith City Administrator Ray Gosack is gaining support ahead of his Tuesday evening performance review. City Directors Steve Tyler and Pam Weber, requested...

gosack

Fort Smith City Administrator Ray Gosack is gaining support ahead of his Tuesday evening performance review.

City Directors Steve Tyler and Pam Weber, requested at a July 10 study session to place a performance review for Gosack on the agenda for the July 17 meeting.

In an email sent to 5NEWS late Monday Night, Matthew Holloway, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Logdge 39 cited support for Gosack saying, “As President of the FOP Lodge 39, I have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Gosack and have found his focus is squarely on the good of the city. While we have not always agreed, he has always treated our members with respect and has come to the table with an attitude of cooperating in finding solutions amenable to both sides.”

He continued, “The members of the Fraternal Order of Police look forward to continuing our working relationship with Mr. Gosack for the betterment of our members and the progress of this community.”

City Director Don Hutchings who has cited support for Gosack to our partners at TheCityWire.com thanked Holloway for his support saying in an email sent to 5NEWS, “It is so great to hear these positive words about Ray. The FOP carries a great deal of clout with me.”

Gosack is required to have a review every six months, but just had one in May. The board concluded at that time that Gosack performed his role satisfactorily. Hutchings questioned the review when it was first proposed saying in a comment to TheCityWire.com, “I have no idea why the directors are calling for another evaluation. We just had one May 15.”

Only four directors are needed to terminate employment for city personnel, and under Fort Smith Municipal Code Chapter 2, Article II, Section 2-34(a), the mayor “shall have the power of veto over all decisions made by the board of directors, except with respect to matters relative to city personnel.”

Fort Smith City Directors will discuss Gosack’s performance at their executive meeting at 6 p.m. July 17.

Click here to read more from our partners at TheCityWire.com

Below is the full letter from Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 39 Matthew Holloway:

Dear Board,

As I am sure you are all aware, for the past five years the City of Fort Smith as well as many other municipalities within Arkansas, has seen economic down turn and troubling financial times. Mr. Gosack has been involved in the operational capacities of the City of Fort Smith. During these tough fiscal times, personnel and strategic decisions have been made for the betterment and survivability of this city. The Fraternal Order of Police believes decisions have been tempered with respect for the city workers and for the overall good of this city.

Our city continues to face hard times and hard decisions. Now is the time to have someone at the helm that is familiar with its inner workings and has a true affection for continuing to make life worth living in Fort Smith. It is our belief that as the second largest municipality in Arkansas, we owe it to the citizens we represent to work together for the advancement of this great city.

As President of the FOP Lodge 39, I have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Gosack and have found his focus is squarely on the good of the city. While we have not always agreed, he has always treated our members with respect and has come to the table with an attitude of cooperating in finding solutions amenable to both sides. The members of the Fraternal Order of Police look forward to continuing our working relationship with Mr. Gosack for the betterment of our members and the progress of this community.

As a constituency that lives, works, and is also dedicated to the citizens in this community, we look forward to continuing a good working relationship with Mr. Gosack. His knowledge and commitment to this community is what is needed during these hard times and to move us towards a brighter future.

Respectfully,

Matthew Holloway

President

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 39