Grilling Stafford, the end of an era

Grilling Stafford started during COVID-19 as a way for Navasota City Manager Brad Stafford to address not only COVID-19 pandemic questions but answer all city related questions from the city.

Stafford answered community-submitted questions on the weekly segment, leaving the community more-informed. An era that lasted over a year and 75 episodes ended with the final taping of Grilling Stafford Wednesday, Oct. 27. Stafford retired as city manager and Grilling Stafford is retiring with him.

In the final episode it’s business as usual as The Examiner Publisher Ana Cosino and Willy 98.7 FM Radio Personality Kenny Graves ‘Grill Stafford’ one final time with community-submitted questions.

Highlights from Grilling

Stafford – episode 75

Can the City shut off the gas for everyone in the same way it can shut off water? “Yes, we can. We have valves at every house, so we can disconnect it.”

Is the City of Navasota feeling the impact of supply chain shortages and delivery issues? If yes, how? If no, why do you think that we’re able to avoid it? “To some extent we are. One of the biggest things, and we have talked about this for quite some time, but our wastewater treatment plant has several big projects that need to be completed out there. They keep pushing back the order of the supplies that we need. We’re hoping that we get them by the fi rst of the year. We thought we were going to get them 6-8 months ago. So yeah, we’re still suffering through some of that. Another place we have supply chain issues is at our police department. Our outfitters for our patrol cars can’t get all the lights we need.”

What motivated city council to seek input from Navasota residents about a new city manager since the council alone has the hiring author ity? “There was a lot of talk about the city manager serving the public as well not just the city council. People like to have input on who that next person is going to be. Sixteen years ago, when they hired me, they had input then, and they thought that was nice. But yes, ultimately the hiring of the city manager relies on the five council members.”

You are a tough act to follow but has anyone dared to apply yet? “Oh yeah there are plenty of people that want this job, and I don’t know that I am that tough to follow. I think they have had over 20 applicants to this point, and they will accept applications through the end of October.”

Since the City does business with Bleyl Engineering, will Navasotians see you return to city council to represent Bleyl on a project? “I guess there is a possibility that could happen. We do quite a bit of business with Bleyl, and it might be nice to sit on the other side for a little while and see what it’s like. Unless the city council gets upset, then they grill me.”

Talk about the award-winning Pretty City Committee. “Our Pretty City Committee got the People’s Choice Award from the Texas Downtown Association for the Resiliency Award. That is voted on by the general public. Some of you probably received a tag from me on your Facebook page asking you to vote for us. And we appreciate everybody that voted. We have talked about the Pretty City Committee in the past and we are really proud of that little group – I think it has a catchy name too. They have really made a difference in the beautification of our city. It is our staff (city staff) and some of our citizens that have volunteered to spend about half a day on Friday out working and beautifying our city.”

Brad, outside of your family, who was a major male influence in your life? “I got lots of good colleagues that are city managers and have been a good infl uence. My very fi rst mayor, Ray Lewis, was an interesting character. Like me he also thought he was a ‘paralawyer,’ and he also thought he was a ‘paraengineer.’ He instilled that in me, and we can do a lot of things ourselves. I would say Ray just because I was such a young city manager and very impressionable at the time. I was only 27 years old and that was my fi rst city manager’s job. Ray was probably 65 back then, and he kind of took me under his wing and taught me a lot. I would say he was a pretty big infl uence on my professional career outside of my parents and grandparents.”

What is one good piece of advice you would give a young person who was starting out in a position of city manager? “First off, you have to treat people right. You have to set the example and be a great leader. Also, don’t be afraid. We don’t know everything – nobody knows everything. Use your staff. Make sure you hire good people and you let them do their job. Really just have confi dence and be good with people and be somebody they can count on.”

What is the most random knickknack or item you have in your office? “When they were rebuilding these streets around city hall, I found a piece of an old carriage that I picked up in the pile of debris. I also found several horseshoes and other things. But I think that is pretty unique, and to me that is pretty cool. I am leaving it for the city. I feel like it is the city’s. In fact, somebody has already been in my office rummaging through some of my goodies. I don’t remember who it was, but I gave them a horseshoe the other day and told them that would be good luck for them. But I am going to leave that stuff here because that is really cool history for the city. Who knows whose buggy that came off of, that could have been Frank Hamer’s or somebody else further back than that.”

What do you think will be the legacy of Brad Stafford as Navasota City Manager? “That he got things done. That is all I’m going to say. We were able to get things done. I would like to think that most people liked me. Maybe not everybody, you can’t satisfy everybody.”

To view the full video of Grilling Stafford – Episode 75, or to watch archived episodes, visit The Examiner website, www.navasotaexaminer.com.