How did we end up with Jim Thomas as our city manager? The city commission hired an organization to send out for applications with job requirements that the city felt like they wanted in their city manager.

This organization sent the city 10 applications. The commission took their sweet time to set up interviews. Applications were closed in March, but the commission did not do any interviews until June.

During this time, eight of the applicants found a job elsewhere. Who could blame them? They were looking for a job when they turned in their application.

Of the two applications left, the commission chose Mr. Thomas. After the City spent tax dollars to get the applications, they only interviewed two. That means Mr. Thomas was chosen ninth out of the 10 because the commission was not prompt concerning the interview process. Another example of putting things off until you have no other choices, much like delaying infrastructure for years and years.

Most recently, I have been approached by several businessmen and others in Kingfisher telling me that Mr. Thomas is very unprofessional and rude to them and others. I certainly believe them after dealing with Mr. Thomas as an employee.

He contacted me at home one Sunday accusing me of something that he had done, using the “F” word on me. I don’t hold that against him, but as the representative of Kingfisher, someone should rein him in, especially when dealing with his constituents.

I know for a fact that Mr. Thomas has been very unprofessional when dealing with BRW Architects and staff since the meetings after hiring them. I don’t want to believe that most, if not all, of the commissioners know about his unprofessionalism towards the citizens of this community and that it is going on unchecked.

After all, the commissioners are the boss of Mr. Thomas. I have noticed that if the commissioners are within earshot, he appears to be on his best behavior.

I had called Mr. Thomas and asked if the committee could meet before our next Zoom meeting with BRW. I felt like there were some things we needed to discuss privately before we met next.

I didn’t get an answer, so I texted him on Jan 23, 2025, at 6:21 p.m. to see if he had given any thought about meeting before the next meeting with BRW. Jim said that he had a full day on Monday so we couldn’t meet until Tuesday.

I asked “Before the zoom?” and he said “I guess we could meet at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday.”

Jim called me instead of texting to say that he didn’t want to meet because I gave him an upset stomach and a headache. I hear that from him when he doesn’t want to talk about something that may put him in a negative light.

I wanted to let him know that he was being very unprofessional towards the BRW staff and also spoke of females and Spanish people in a negative light. That was witnessed by the BRW staff and the rest of the committee.

The commission must be OK with all that he does because I understand that the commission wanted to give him another three-year contract, but he only wanted enough time to secure his fire department legacy.

Tony Stewart
Retired Kingfisher Fire Chief

(The thoughts expressed in this letter are entirely those of the author and not of this publication. Letters to the editor are welcome from those who will sign their names to them.)