A few quick remarks on officials and giving notice of departure.  An official who’s not very good, just struggling along, will give ample notice (both implicit and explicit) of a departure.

Here’s how to tell: the official will have been a second or third choice initially, will try unsuccessfully for years to leave (being rejected elsewhere time and again), will have a reputation for being dull and delinquent, and will give notice as much because there’s nowhere else to go as any other reason.

It’s only a retiree or mediocrity who gives seven months’ notice.  By the time the official declares that notice, no one is surprised, of course: the years of wasting time, money, and others’ opportunities will already have been known in the community.

By contrast, a good administrator will always be in demand, and present an organization with a chance of departure for the many other places in which she’s likely to be in demand. Talented officials are always in demand, and well-known to national organizations that are searching for, and welcoming of, excellent candidates.

If Whitewater wants good officials, really excellent ones, she’ll have to get used to fighting to keep those officials from leaving for the exciting, competitive opportunities that are open to talented people.

Anyone who thinks that it’s better to have a mediocrity (who’s so undesirable that she can give a half years’s notice) over an excellent administrator (who will be in demand  nationally and so operate under a shorter notice of leave) is foolish.

It takes more work to keep a good administrator, but that work will always be worth the effort — as the community gets the continuing tenure of a good leader in return.