Four finalists for the open position of city manager in Port Arthur present a variety of choices, some of whom might make a workable fit for the City Council that will choose. For the good of this city, we hope councilmembers choose well.

Finalists are:

• Hani Tohme, city of Port Arthur’s director of public services.
• Natasha Henderson, management consultant and former city manager in Flint, Michigan.
• David Strahl, former city administrator in O’Fallon, Missouri.
• Henrietta Turner, city manager in Floresville, Texas.

The successful candidate will replace interim City Manager Harvey Robinson, who has provided oftentimes wise and reliably principled leadership since assuming the temporary role in late 2017. He has provided great service to Port Arthur by stepping into a leadership void. He did not always tell City Council members what they wanted to hear, but more often what they needed to hear.

Robinson’s permanent replacement would be wise to follow his good example. The mayor and council are seven part-time representatives of the people. While some of the councilmembers have gained political experience, their areas of expertise are not in municipal government.

Successful city managers become equipped for the job by becoming steeped full time in running a city. It’s a career that requires slow, deliberate steps. Reaching that mountaintop might include experiences as a city employee, department head or assistant city manager. It might include time spent as cities encounter challenge or triumph. It ought to include time spent under wise, knowledgeable leaders.

Tohme gave city leaders a confident, upbeat outlook. He’s been part of government here and in Beaumont for many years. As an engineer, he understands infrastructure — improving roads and drainage is the city’s biggest challenge — and told the councilmembers that he won’t need the learning curves that accompany being unfamiliar with an area. Educated at Lamar, he’s been here for almost three decades. He’s had well-publicized struggles, too, in Beaumont, but has seemed to meet only success while in Port Arthur.

Turner was oftentimes delightful in her interview, and although Floresville is significantly smaller than Port Arthur — or Groves, for that matter — she has good experience running a small city. That counts for something.

Strahl was a pleasant surprise. He has much less experience in the top job — most of his career, he’s been an assistant — but he seemed knowledgeable and philosophically attuned to what Port Arthur leaders want.

Henderson suffered as city manager in Flint. She struggled to answer some council questions and seemed short on confidence.

The successful candidate will need the City Council’s confidence and vote. After that, councilmembers will need the successful candidate’s experience, wisdom, knowledge and forthrightness. Their choice will say much about the councilmembers, as well. They, too, are under the microscope.