Former League City official: My resignation had nothing to do with Mark Rohr

Former League City, Texas, Assistant City Administrator David Benson, who resigned recently, posted the following comment on the article in which his departure was noted:

I just became aware of this post and related comments earlier this week and feel it's important that I let you know my choice to leave League City's employ had nothing to do with Mark Rohr's hiring. If it did, I wouldn't have given notice in a manner that keeps me in League City past Mark'ss arrival (during the three weeks I'm to work for him, I plan to do everything I can to foster success for him and League City). 

Beyond that, I would never make such an important life decision based on what people say about someone on the Internet, because it's always possible that folks can get things wrong (as an example, the individual who speculated that I was disappointed in not being selected for the job is incorrect -- I didn't apply for the job, and so I would have been very surprised to have been selected).

 I'm not here to engage or provoke anybody; I just don't want my decision to be misinterpreted as any kind of reflection on Mark's pending arrival. I wish him and League City all the best. And as someone whose family comes from places like Carl Junction and Quapaw and Picher (a generation or so back), I wish the same for the people of Joplin as you continue recovering from the horrible tragedy of 2011. Good luck as you go forward.

Bloc of one opposed to Rohr in League City

Though the original decision to hire former Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr as the city manager of League City was unanimous, Rohr lost one councilman by the time the formal decision was made:

League City City Council on Tuesday voted 7-1, with Dennis OKeeffe opposed, to formally appoint R. Mark Rohr as its new city manager. Rohr, who previously served as city manager of Joplin, Missouri, will replace Mike Loftin, who resigned in October.

No word has been received as to whether O'Keefe is being labeled "a bloc of one" by any know-it-alls in League City.

Mark Rohr to Houston Chronicle: If you can handle the Joplin Tornado, you can handle anything

In an interview in today's Houston Chronicle, former Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr, who will start as the city manager of League City March 31, said League City will be in a better position because he is there: 

Rohr cited his experience in economic development and propelling the rebuilding of Joplin after the E5 tornado swept through the city in May, 2011, destroying a third of the property and killing 161 people.

Rohr said when he left office 92 percent of the homes had been rebuilt or were in the process of being rebuilt, and 90 percent of the businesses were back on track. In addition, he said the city still had $190 million in aid to spend.

"League City may not have a natural disaster - hopefully - but it will be in a better position by having me to manage it," Rohr said. "I can be a manager under difficult circumstances and manage well. You can't imagine the disarray and anxiety in circumstances when a third of your city is destroyed. If you can handle that, you can handle any circumstance that comes your way."

KOAM/Fox 14 coverage- Mark Rohr gets new job

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KSN video- Mark Rohr accepts League City, Texas position

League City on Rohr's firing: That's just politics; he was already a candidate for our job.

As some have surmised since former Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr was announced as a finalist for the League City city manager post, the application was in the Texas city council's hands well before the Joplin City Council voted 5-4 to fire Rohr.

It all worked out for Rohr, who was hired by a unanimous vote today.

The tumult leading up to his firing didn’t phase the League City Council.

“That’s politics,” Councilman Todd Kinsey said. “He was already a candidate for our city prior to that happening.

“(It) wouldn’t surprise me if that council found out about it and that could’ve been the catalyst for his release.”

Kinsey said he believes Rohr is a perfect fit for League City.

“He has a wide breadth of knowledge in finance, economic development, infrastructure and utilities,” Kinsey said.

“Most importantly he is proven in building partnerships, which is of critical importance in this day and age.”

Kinsey also praised Rohr’s leadership to rebuild Joplin after the 2011 tornado, but still kept the city’s debt at a minimum.

“His track record of leadership and his vast municipal experience will compliment our city staff’s expertise and council’s vision for the city,” Mayor Tim Paulissen, said.

Rohr should feel comfortable in League City since the Galveston newspaper describes the town as having a "sometimes-dysfunctional council."

Rohr is expected to start the job within the next month.

Texas town gives roar of approval with approval of Rohr as city manager

Media reports indicate that fired Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr has emerged as the choice of the League City, Texas, City Council for its vacant city manager post. The vote was unanimous.

Rohr was announced as one of the four finalists last week, made the first cut to two candidates, then was selected for the position.

The Joplin City Council voted earlier this month, by a 5-4 margin, to fire Rohr, who had been city manager for the past decade.

Video- Mark Rohr finalist for League City, Texas, city manager post

A KODE report