Bailey sworn in as city manager

Luckenbach honored for lifetime of service

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  City Councilmember Jerry Luckenbach receives a Token of Gratitude and Certificate of Appreciation from Fredericksburg Mayor Charlie Kiehne for his lifetime of service.

A new, yet familiar face was sitting in the seat held for the past decade by Kent Myers during Monday’s Fredericksburg City Council meeting.

Clinton Bailey, former assistant city manager, was sworn in by Mayor Charlie Kiehne as the new city manager for Fredericksburg.

“Although he was officially sworn in at City Hall this morning, it’s an honor for me as the mayor of Fredericksburg to do it one more time,” Kiehne said.

Bailey credited his success to the people around him who have helped him along in his career.

“The Fredericksburg team we have in place is the best team I have ever worked with, and this is the best council with the City of Fredericksburg I’ve worked with,” he said. “It takes all of us to help shape the decisions that the city council has to make. Y’all are the reason I enjoy doing what I’m doing.”

With Myers now out of the position, he will take on a new role titled Director of Special Projects until his retirement date of Sept. 30. He will receive the same salary and benefits and continue as a full-time employee.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t say thank you to Kent Myers for his dedicated service to our city,” Kiehne said. “I certainly have enjoyed his company and the nice visits I’ve had with him. I know he’ll still be around, but I wanted to wish him and his wife and family the best of luck as he transitions into a new lifestyle.”

Jerry Luckenbach

Monday was the last council meeting for Jerry Luckenbach, as his term ends this month.

To honor Luckenbach, Kiehne surprised him with a Token of Gratitude coin and a Certificate of Appreciation.

“Jerry has been a great councilmember and a friend,” Kiehne said. “Not only that, he and his family have done so much for our community.”

During the council comments, all councilmembers offered their congratulations to Luckenbach for his service.

“It’s been a pleasure, it’s been an honor and it’s been a lot of fun,” Councilmember Bobby Watson said.

Councilmember Kathy Sanford O’Neill said it’s been a joy for her to work with him.

“Being the only girl on this council, Jerry Luckenbach is very special to me,” she said. “Every time I see him, he gives me a hug, squeezes my arm or pats me on the back. What he’s contributed to this council has been immeasurable.”

Councilmember Tom Musselman thanked Luckenbach for his years of service and joked about how he’s come back to the council after retiring before.

“I have served with Jerry for a long time. Every time he retires, he seems to reappear, so we will just have to see what happens,” he joked.

Resident George Studor also expressed his gratitude for Luckenbach, saying he’s an inspiration to him and should be for everyone.

“I see him come and go from his home daily, and the dedication to go and be where the action is in the city is an example to all of us,” he said. “Everyone ought to be engaged in all kinds of aspects in their own hometown like Jerry does. He’s been doing that for a long time, that’s stamina.

“He pushes through being tired and making hard decisions. I think everyone should look to him with some respect. He could be a good role model for everyone to work toward.”

While Luckenbach said the past year-and-a-half has been a challenge with issues like short-term rentals, disaster declarations and mask mandates due to COVID-19, he always tried to look at everything from both sides and make the decision he felt was right.

“I don’t regret anything I voted for,” he said. “Most every issue, the council talked things out and came up with the right decision.”

Luckenbach not only thanked the council, but all the staff at the city.

“They’re confident, they’re committed to their job and I take all of their comments and criticism very seriously,” he said.

He hopes people who frequently come to meetings will volunteer more in the city.

“The city and county really thrive with volunteerism,” he said. “You don’t see a lot of towns that have the get-up and gumption that his town has.”

During the city manager’s report, Bailey said interviews have wrapped up for the police chief position.

A decision between the three candidates — Student Resource Officer Chris Ayala, Lt. Brian Vorauer and Lt. Braxton Roemer — will be made later this week.