Search for new Butte Local Development Corp. director

Summary: Diligent search needed to replace BLDC executive director.

It’s no secret that the public has been frustrated with the Butte Local Development Corp. in the past.

By Leslie McCartney, Standard editorial page editor –

http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2004/12/12/newsopinion_top/hjjfihihiihgeb.txt

In a thinly veiled revolt against the longtime economic development agency, voters took away the longstanding practice of automatically giving one-mill money, worth about $65,000, to the quasi-public agency.

There have also been questions about the BLDC’s annual contract, worth about $46,000, with Butte-Silver Bow which lead to some contractual language changes aimed at producing more accountability from the BLDC.

Board members have taken admirable steps to pry open the agency’s secretiveness and polish its image focusing on the BLDC’s work to retain jobs, provide financing and work with businesses, which is not as sexy as efforts to lure big business to the city.

The slow, steady work often overshadows big-budget busters like Destination Montana, which of course turned out just to be a bust.

So it would be a shame if the BLDC’s volunteer board does not conduct an earnest search to replace Evan Barrett, who has been with the BLDC for nearly 19 years and is heading to Helena to be governor-elect Brian Schweitzer’s top business officer in his administration.

Simply installing Jim Smitham, who is the marketing director for the BLDC and a swell guy who sports a professional image, would be a mistake.

It smacks of ‘Old Butte’ and voters have made it clear — through their power at the polls — that they want change and want our county run in a professional, efficient and business-like manner.

Smitham may in fact be the man for the job, but the position should be thrown open to a competitive process to ensure the right person is found.

There are several arguments against a search since they are chancy and expensive.

There is also some concern that a professional will simply overlook the Butte job that paid Barrett around $90,000 since they can make more elsewhere.

The real problem with that logic is that without a search we will never know if a better candidate is out there, and we think people will be dismayed at not trying to find the perfect person for this job, which pays more than nearly anyone in county government and most businesses.

As long as the BLDC receives taxpayer money, either through contracts, grants, loans and awards given through the federal government, taxpayers have a stake in the important organization.

And with other communities growing around Butte, which unfortunately is still struggling, it is important now more than ever to have an active, reliable and accountable economic development agency.

The board’s leadership will be crucial on this issue and will go a long way toward building a better relationship with Butte residents.

We urge them to conduct a valid search for Barrett’s replacement. As Barrett himself stated, his leaving offers an opportunity for renewal of the agency, which is healthy for every organization.

We couldn’t agree more.