There are pros and cons associated with the decision of Lawrence city commissioners to make the search process for a new city manager a secret affair.

Commissioners say it is necessary to keep the names of applicants secret so that their current employers won’t be aware they are seeking another position. That’s a valid consideration, but the fact is, the selection of a city manager is an extremely important matter, and the interests of the city should take priority.

Although city commissioners set the direction for the city and its top administrator, Lawrence’s manager-commission system of government gives a great deal of authority and responsibility to the city manager. Will he or she be expected to be the visionary for the city, coming up with new ideas and new ways to meet the city’s needs and opportunities? Does the city manager merely follow the wishes and direction of the commission or will he/she provide the leadership, eyes and ears for the elected commissioners?

Have the applicants been given a thumbs-up or thumbs-down based on whether their philosophy on the role of a city manager runs counter to the thinking and philosophy of current city commissioners? With Kansas University having one of the nation’s most respected programs for training city administrators, shouldn’t KU officials be involved in the hiring process?

It seems reasonable that those selected as finalists should be given the opportunity to visit with a wide cross-section of Lawrence residents and leaders to get a good idea of what the city is all about. They should hear the dreams and hopes of residents and what others think are the community’s pluses and minuses, not just the opinions of city commissioners. Such interactions not only allows the community to learn more about the candidates; it gives the candidates a better feel for the community they are considering serving.

City commissioners should want local residents to meet the candidates and offer their ideas, thoughts and reactions. What did they think? What were their concerns? Did the candidates raise some issues or questions that would be of interest to commissioners?

This is too important a decision to be left solely in the hands of five city commissioners, no matter how sincerely they profess to be guided by what is best for the city and its residents.

The selection should not be subjected to a town hall process, but neither should it be conducted in secret. Better to err on the side of being too open than being too secretive.