The proposal was accompanied by conditions requiring confidentiality, a performance evaluation of the city manager, and public endorsements by the mayor, city council and police chief.<\/p>\n
When asked about those stipulations and an email that detailed the requirements, Luetchford said the requests were tied to DRL\u2019s need for confidence in city leadership and management stability.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur lenders are only interested in lending money to us to do this refinery if we were confident we could actually improve the community,\u201d he said. \u201cI had to see evidence that the community was properly managed.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said one of the conditions in that email involved ensuring support for the city manager by the council and police chief.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam Beam<\/p>\n
Taft Chief of Police John Landreth looks at the squad cars the city purchased, and must now return following recent financial developments.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause he is a key member, that position is a key member of the city management,\u201d Luetchford said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI require the council, a majority, to agree to whoever is the city manager. I want them to be supportive of the city manager.\u201d<\/p>\n
Luetchford also addressed the termination of former Taft Police Chief John Landreth, who was removed from his position after alleged threats toward city staff.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t have to support it, it was not my decision,\u201d he said. \u201cI was not disagreeable. I think the chief of police has clearly been disruptive to this city. And they\u2019ve made a decision now, and I think it was a good decision, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that DRL\u2019s goal was not to influence personnel decisions but to ensure consistent management.<\/p>\n \u201cCity management needs to act as a management team,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was quite obvious that it was unclear who was the city manager. The city council needs to clearly be definitive on who is going to manage this city.\u201d<\/p>\n Luetchford said DRL cannot begin construction until environmental permits are approved, but added the company expects that process to begin next year.<\/p>\n For the latest local news updates, click here<\/a>, or download the KRIS 6 News App.<\/a><\/p>\n