Missed Opportunities: A San Bernardino Story

When Michael McKinney was appointed Chief of Staff to San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis, a tremendous opportunity was handed to him.

McKinney, who is also the proprietor of MICA PR, was the lead consultant in last November’s recall effort. Whether one agrees with the recall or its result, it was a successful effort against two long-sitting San Bernardino elected officials, City Attorney Jim Penman and Council Member Wendy McCammack.

McKinney then managed Mayor Davis’ successful election campaign defeating McCammack in February of this year.

In the midst of bankruptcy and the apparent end of turmoil at city hall, Mayor Davis was given free reign by the public and the media to create his own legacy and rebuild trust in city government. A fresh start was welcomed by most everyone.

As a neophyte to government, Carey Davis would require extensive assistance in learning the ropes of city government, especially in the convoluted environment of San Bernardino and its archaic Charter. When Davis proposed hiring McKinney under the unusual concept of a contract with his public relations firm, concerns were raised as to potential conflicts of interest. Another question less asked but still in the minds of everyone was how well the political consultant who managed a divisive recall campaign could effectively serve in a position requiring the ability to build consensus that was expected of the new Mayor.

McKinney was generally given the benefit of the doubt by community and business leaders, and the press. His contract was approved by the Council and he was given a long leash by Mayor Davis. McKinney was handed the keys to the castle, with full support of the Mayor.

While some questioned how much could be done for San Bernardino in the thralls of bankruptcy, what better opportunity could exist for any individual to make a difference and build a positive reputation. Even if you made the best herculean effort, and failed, the worst anyone could say is that San Bernardino was too far gone to be helped in the short term. But if you did succeed, and there is every real opportunity to do so, your future success was almost guaranteed.

It was soon apparent the Mayors leash was too long, or even nonexistent. In meetings with Council Members, business leaders and others, McKinney soon began to alienate people in town. His ability to transition from recall leader and campaign manager to conciliatory bridge-builder was apparently too far for him to travel. Council members began openly criticizing McKinney for his abrasive style and my-way-or-the-highway attitude. Mayor Davis was warned by Council Members that he needed to get his Chief of Staff in check, but apparently that never occurred.

Then in the midst of this situation, the Mayor (on advice from McKinney) pressed forward with Charter reform as the most important issue in San Bernardino. The committee assigned the task came up with a number of recommendations, none of them having any real impact on the underlying organizational problems of San Bernardino. Then, surprise, Measure’s Q and R were born, primarily targeting public safety officers in the city.

In the middle of bankruptcy, when every effort should have been made to pull everyone together (including city employees), the governing body of San Bernardino, in a 4-3 vote, decided to pick a fight with two of the most powerful groups in town, San Bernardino’s cops and firefighters.

It really did not matter who was right or wrong on the Charter reform measures. The city was just coming out of the most divisive election in recent history and the last thing the community of San Bernardino needed was another battle that was completely voluntary. Picking a personal fight on the deck of the Titanic as the ship was sinking is a good analogy.

Measure Q failed. In the meantime, McKinney continued to build a reputation in city hall including efforts to direct the City Manager, take control of contract proposals, and speak to developers on behalf of the city in contradiction to council and staff. Which brings us to the last Council meeting.

The contract with MICA PR and McKinney was only authorized through December 31st, 2014. As early as August, dissatisfaction with McKinney from some council members was beginning to fester. In a last minute decision, McKinney’s contract extension was placed on the council agenda for December 1st. Word on the street was that McKinney’s primary past benefactor and financier of the recall, Scott Beard was making phone calls to council members threatening to withhold future support if McKinney’s contract was not approved.

In the end, it was too little, too late, and too much for the council to swallow. Leading the charge at the city council meeting against McKinney’s contract extension were Davis stalwart Fred Shorett and straight talking Jim Mulvihill. McKinney only drew one public speaker in support.

The vote was 5-2.

Michael McKinney, who rode into town seated next to the new Mayor in his golden chariot, is out on January 1st. A tremendous opportunity squandered. Now the only real question left is whether Mayor Davis has any future as an effective leader in San Bernardino?