A Tenaha City Councilman believes a city manager form of government is what’s needed for the town, and has been circulating a petition calling for such an election. Tommy Rinkle informed the council at their meeting two weeks ago he was working on getting the proper number of certified voters needed.

Rinkle said that 20 percent of the voters that voted in the last city election are needed on the petition, or some 47 signatures.

Rinkle says he respects Mayor Orinthia Johnson and believes he’s an honest man that cares about Tenaha’s future. However, he feels the mayor needs help in overseeing the day-to-day operations.

Rinkle says paying a city manager’s salary has been an obstacle he’s run into among citizens. But says unlike many small towns where their mayor is either unpaid or receives very little compensation for the position, Mayor Johnson draws $1,500 a month, plus benefits running the City of Tenaha. Rinkle believes the monetary base is already there for a manager’s position.

As of Friday afternoon, Rinkle said he had around 30 of the required 47 names needed on a petition to present to the council for consideration. Even though the item is not on today’s meeting agenda, Rinkle said he’s probably bring it back up for discussion.

Among the agenda items on this afternoon’s Tenaha City Council meeting are: a proposal from Stacey Cranford for assistance with utility services; procedure for disposing of seized property/vehicles from Stephen Shires; and Frank Polley with East Texas Regional Landfield is to address the council.