By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio Emergency Management Director John Sheedy IV said he is ready and willing to accept the challenges of the city’s top administrative position at the end of the month.
The city council Tuesday appointed Sheedy to serve as interim city manager beginning July 31.
“I’m honored and thrilled that City Council has selected me to become the Interim City Manager starting July 31 and continuing until a permanent city manager has been appointed,” Sheedy told the 830 Times in an emailed statement Thursday.
“Since I’ve both been a city employee, retiring after 27 years, and have also served four years as an elected member of the city council, I’m hopeful that my experience in both areas of city service will help me facilitate progress for our organization. I’m determined to work as hard as I can to find solutions to some problem areas that have been resistant to change and to focus on the root causes of these issues so that our council members and citizens will no longer have to experience symptoms that continue to cause frustration,” he added.
Sheedy has served as the city’s emergency management coordinator since June 2019. He also served as deputy chief of the Del Rio Fire Department and city emergency management coordinator from January 1999 until July 2013, emergency operations director for the local public school district from June 2013 until July 2017 and as director of homeland security/director of 9-1-1 for the Middle Rio Grande Development Council from July 2017 until June 2019.
Sheedy continued, “I’m committed to remaining focused on the most important responsibilities and the greatest opportunities for growth and progress, but at the same time I will place equal importance on being available to citizens to hear their concerns and seek ways to help them through any difficulties.”
Sheedy said his first priority would be fine-tuning the city “machine.”
“My focus will initially be on reviewing every piece of the city machine to see where we can find parts that need adjustment, then move immediately to fix the ones that are easily adjusted, and then work with council to tackle the more difficult or costly ones. I believe progress in all the areas we seek to improve will be difficult unless we are able to implement new collaborative tools, clear and concise policies and guidelines (which citizens and employees alike can take advantage of), and implement and maintain strict management review and control for every single task and responsibility held by every single employee.”
“It is my belief that the majority of any of our problem service areas can be improved by simply establishing detailed and easy to follow policies and by then building an ongoing review to ensure that they are being followed at all times,” he added.
Sheedy said his investment in the city and its operation is personal.
“The City of Del Rio has been my home for over 40 years, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, especially because of the other people who also call Del Rio home – my family, friends, neighbors and other residents. Our city is also fortunate and blessed to have some of the best and hardest working employees I’ve ever known, and our city council leadership is determined to provide the resources and support necessary for them to succeed, I hope to be a conduit to bring these positives together for maximum potential,” he said.
Sheedy added, “Every day that I’m fortunate enough to be able to work in such a critical position for our citizens, employees and city leadership, I will remember how important the work is and I will remain committed to progress, positive, and humble to all.”
Sheedy also thanked his colleagues for their ongoing support.
“I’d like to thank all the City of Del Rio employees, and especially current City Manager Matt Wojnowski, for all the things they have helped me with and the things I have learned from them during the years we have worked together.
“Most importantly, I’d like to thank each of the City of Del Rio City Council leadership for their support and for the opportunity to serve our community, and I look forward with great excitement to working with both the council and every member of our community to find the clearest path forward for our great City of Del Rio,” he said.
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