Crawford is new Public Works Director

The new Blytheville Public Works director has a familiar face.

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders has appointed assistant police chief Marvin Crawford as the new head of Public Works.

Crawford spent 31 years in law enforcement, including serving the city at the Blytheville Police Department since 1978, when he began as a patrol officer and worked his way up the ranks.

Along with being in several supervisory roles at the BPD, Crawford is also a former owner/operator truck driver and holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Arkansas State University.

Crawford takes over the position held for the previous 14 years by Rick Mosley, who resigned June 28.

Crawford will earn considerably less than his predecessor, Mosley, who made $63,229.42 in 2011.

Sanders said Crawford's base salary will be "$40,000 to $45,000."

As far as Crawford's replacement and if there will be one, Sanders said that will be Police Chief Ross Thompson's call.

"If he feels a need to fill that position, that's a position that's open," Sanders said. "If not, then he would communicate that information back to me."

Friday afternoon, Thompson said he hasn't made an immediate decision.

Meanwhile, Roy Simmons had been filling the role of interim Public Works director since Mosley's departure to Heber Springs, and Simmons did a tremendous job, according to Crawford.

Crawford has also been impressed with the Public Works staff, noting employees work hard in difficult conditions.

"I have never seen a more energetic group that is committed to getting the job done, especially this time of the year, in the 100 degree weather," he said.

Crawford said he wants to see the city prosper and grow, and is willing to do his part in his new career.

"I look forward to it," he said. " I like challenges and working with people. I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect."

Sanders chose Crawford over three other applicants.

The two have a history together, having formerly worked alongside each other in law enforcement.

"He has a love for the city," Sanders said of Crawford. "I personally know his skills in management. He too is a person if there is an issue or problem, he goes directly to that problem to address it."

Sanders said Crawford has integrity, the ability to coordinate with different departments and the capability to develop and implement strategies to improve efficiency in Public Works.

Before choosing Crawford, Sanders had discussions with his staff as well as spoke to Public Works employees about issues that affect them.

"We've asked questions about the lack of equipment," Sanders said. "As a result of that, I felt certain, one of the key issues here is to have someone in that position with management skills and who was very responsible and able to take charge and to satisfy the needs of the people in the Public Works so that we can get the equipment necessary for them to do their jobs."

"Our main asset that we have is our employees," the mayor added. "We can't provide a service to the citizens if we don't have the right equipment or if we don't have the right employees. That's what I believe he is going to bring to the table and help us development strategic plans, not just for right now."

Sanders said the Public Works director does more than oversee trash collections, "their obligation is for the safety of all citizens in the city."

He said Crawford will also work closely with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to comply with the stricter environmental laws and coordinate with the Highway Department on matters like the future Highway 18 overpass.

Sanders wants to see all city department heads working together as well.

"What I'm trying to do is join all departments in one asserted effort, not everybody doing their own separate thing," Sanders said.

The mayor is confident that Crawford will be able to analyze situations and bring good ideas to the table that will benefit the city.

Crawford knows some of the other departments well, having been heavily involved with the Police Department, obviously, as well as Code Enforcement.

He may still have some involvement in code enforcement even in his new role.

"Our sanitation people should have the authority, that if they see violations, to contact code enforcement and to be able to address those issues immediately, rather than code enforcement always contacting Public Works," Sanders said. "Public Works will see things prior to code enforcement identifying the violation and they contact code enforcement. It's almost like putting the cart before the horse. We have been coming to the table to discuss those types of issues, to see if whether or not we need to allow Public Works to actually handle the code enforcement side."

mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com