Re “Bixby, White in as Chiefs – They Can Send Out Their Laundry”
[img]2705|right|Scott Bixby||no_popup[/img]City Councilman Jim Clarke was on a flight to Europe yesterday to enjoy a family holiday when he returned a call on the City Hall question of the moment:
Was it an easy decision, after months of presumed deliberation, to make official the appointments of Scott Bixby as Police Chief and Dave White as Fire Chief?
“Yes,” said the fittingly succinct Councilman, a popular view across the community.
No need to elaborate, vacuously stretching the conversation into a second word.
The business of elaboration was the duty of the new leader of the Police Dept., the 53-year-old hometown boy Mr. Bixby, who was named interim chief four months ago this week.
So the impossible question was put to Chief Bixby, the only choice for the position:
Was there ever any doubt?
This was a moment for diplomacy. A “yes” response could sound overconfident and a “no” answer was unrealistic.
Therefore, who won last night’s baseball game?
The new chief carefully crafted his words.
“I hate to sound overconfident, but frankly I would have been a little surprised” if anyone else had been selected.
‘We All Knew Each Other’
“I felt the timing was good. I was in a good position for the amount of time I have been here (his entire law enforcement career).
“I knew the Council people. They knew what I was about.
“I felt like all indications were very positive, but there certainly was not a guarantee.
“Without sounding not appreciative or happy, I suppose I would have been a little surprised. Obviously, though, I would have accepted whatever decision they would have made,” Mr. Bixby said.
All summer, every City Hall observer was confident with a rare degree of certitude that Mr. Bixby was the deserving heir to retired Chief Don Pedersen.
“It was a unanimous easy call,” said City Councilman Andy Weissman. “Once Scott and Dave White settled into their respective positions and had the opportunity to work at it for a period time, we all became comfortable with the initial choice. We also were comfortable with the idea making the decision permanent.”
