Stafford reflects on tenure as city manager

Not since 1928-1946 and the 18-year tenure of City Manager R. J. Brule, has Navasota seen the degree of momentum and positive change that it has under soon-to-be retired City Manager, Brad Stafford. While Brule and the WPA brought parks, bridges and a stadium to Navasota, Stafford put the name “Navasota” on the map of national retail consciousness. He also tackled 19th and 20th century infrastructure trying to accommodate 21st century needs. Before retiring Oct. 29, Stafford shared memories as Navasota city manager for nearly 16 years with The Examiner.

The use of social media for marketing has exploded since City Manager Brad Stafford was hired in 2006. Despite the ability to publicize events to the masses via Facebook with lightning speed, the downside is that faceless people can spread lies or distort the truth on Facebook just as fast.

Stafford said, “I’ve always lived off the truth so it’s very difficult for me when people post things that aren’t true because I’m not a social media warrior.”

The need to get the truth out to citizens during Covid led to the creation of the fun and informative ‘Grilling Stafford.’ Partnering with Examiner publisher Ana Cosino and Willy 1550’s Kenny Graves, Stafford fields questions from local residents and the video is available for viewing each Thursday on Facebook.

Stafford said, “It started to get the word out what was happening with Covid – what we could tell and what we didn’t know because we were getting the numbers from somebody else, and the numbers didn’t match. I’m actually going to miss Grilling Stafford because I enjoy working with Kenny and Ana, and the public can ask me the questions they’ve always wanted to ask, and they can see my reaction. I’m telling it instead of writing it.”

Perhaps Stafford’s desire to communicate with citizens is why he was selected Administrator of the Year in 2015 by the Texas City Managers Association. In 2020, he was elected TCMA president and is just the second Navasota city manager to serve as president in TCMA’s 108-year history, the first being R.J. Brule in 1938 Accompanying Stafford’s enthusiasm for communication is his concern about the lack of emphasis on local government in schools.

He said, “I believe local government is the best government out there. It’s the closest to the people, and where else can you take a manager and put them on the spot with questions? You can’t do that with the state or the federal government.”

A ‘working’ city manager

West Texas born Stafford has worked in municipal government for nearly 32 years beginning with his job in the Baytown Parks Department. He worked his way up the ranks having performed every function in city government with the exception of a police officer, firefighter and librarian.

Stafford says, “I’ve driven the boom mower, repaired the spray rigs, and I’ll jump in a hole if they need help. I’m fortunate to have worked in smaller cities that gave me those opportunities. I tell staff, we work for the city so don’t put yourself in a corner and say this is all I do because if we need you to do something else, you need to be able and jump in and help. Our staff does that. They’ll take care of it.”

Stafford’s grandfather was very proud when he graduated from college, but Stafford admired his grandad’s ‘life degree’ as a farmer.

Stafford said, “A lot of cities do put a whole lot more emphasis on the education than they do the experience. Navasota still understands that a really strong background in local government, regardless of where they started, is beneficial.”

They were all special

Discussing the numerous events Navasota has hosted during his tenure, Stafford doesn’t credit one event in particular with putting Navasota on the proverbial map but describes Texas Birthday Bash as the catalyst for saying ‘We’ve arrived!’

As for his top pick, Stafford said, “Freedom Festival has turned into my favorite because it just shows how a great town comes together to celebrate freedom and our independence. For years we had the Fourth of July parade but when it expanded during Covid to be called Freedom Festival and we added bands and fireworks, I think we really sent the message that we are what America wants to be.”

Reflecting on the last 15 years, 10 months, Stafford calls every day a blessing.

He said, “I’ve always felt like God had a reason to send me to Baytown where I found a great, beautiful wife, then took jobs in cities that prepared me to come here. I worked late a lot of times and, unfortunately, Mary and the kids were affected but they never complained. They knew it was part of the job.”

Stafford recalled previous jobs where he received phone calls at home in the days before cell phones and even citizens coming to his house.

He said, “I’ve always talked to people because they want to know something, and they trust me. It’s not ideal but it’s who I am and what I thought this job entailed.”

Stafford continued, “It’s fun and I love it. People will think it’s funny that I say it’s fun but I’m leaving. There’s still the grind. There’s still the things that happen and things that take a toll on a human being. Some of those days were trying but they were all special.”

Stafford has accepted a job in Public Relations with Bleyl Engineering. He and Mary will continue to reside in Navasota.

Stafford said, “I would just like to say to the citizens, and the city council members that I have served under and the staff I’ve worked with - I just want to say thanks to everybody.”