It has not been the practice of the Murphy Messenger to endorse any political candidate running for Murphy City Council. In this election, however, the Messenger wholeheartedly endorses the incumbent Mayor, Bret Baldwin.

The decision to endorse at this time is incited by former city manager Craig Sherwood’s candidacy for Mayor of Murphy.

Based on the unpleasant relationship the Messenger and its publisher had with Mr. Sherwood while he was city manager, it is this newspaper’s opinion that nothing has or will change in regard to Mr. Sherwood’s actions, demeanor, work ethic and lack of openness in regard to city business if he is elected Mayor.

Running for Mayor to work with a council he could not work with as City Manager—a council he voluntarily resigned from serving—begs the question, “Why?” After accepting over $311,000 to “go away” as City Manager, why “come back” as Mayor?

Voters should keep in mind that while Mr. Sherwood was City Manager, he ordered employees not to talk with media, specifically the Messenger, and basically shut down the flow of communication to the citizens of Murphy.  This “gag order” was removed by interim City Manager Jim Berzina and supported by Mayor Baldwin, to the benefit of the community.

There has been continued and improved communication since Mr. Sherwood’s resignation, via press releases, staff interviews and notification of meetings and events by various departments including the Fire and Police Departments. The Messenger applauds the City staff and the current elected representatives for its commitment to more open communication.

In a recent interview with Mr. Sherwood, he stated he still feels that the flow of information to media and residents “should be closely controlled to ensure accuracy.” Mr. Sherwood could not cite any situations since he resigned as City Manager where the new policy of open communication has caused any “wrong” information to be given out and subsequently printed in the Messenger. It is this newspaper’s contention that Mr. Sherwood, if elected Mayor, would adopt his controlled/no communication policy again.  

Personal experience and a common thread on the Messenger’s forums have made it clear Mr. Sherwood, as City Manager, did not respond to emails or telephone calls in a timely manner or at all. As Mayor, it is doubtful his behavior would be any different. In a recent interview with Mr. Sherwood, he stated, in response to the question if he was elected Mayor would he be any more attentive to inbound calls and emails, he replied, “The City should adopt a policy for response time. People need to get over their fast-food expectations and have a little patience.” Some of us are still waiting for a response that even the slowest restaurant would have served by now.

It is doubtful an informative series written on City Government for Messenger readers would be at the top of Mr. Sherwood’s To-Do list as it has been for Mayor Baldwin.  

It is doubtful a meaningful policy for communication between City and Citizens would be at the top of Mr. Sherwood’s To-Do list as it has been for Mayor Baldwin.

It is doubtful the current council would embrace Mr. Sherwood as Mayor as it has Mayor Baldwin, after Mr. Sherwood has cost the city unnecessary litigation fees for court cases gone sour, a hefty buy-out contract and a multitude of unknown expenses surprising council of late.

If citizens want a city government with open communication and accessibility to their elected officials, then there is one clear choice for Mayor. Mayor Bret Baldwin.

Marcia Jowers
Publisher