MARSHALL, TX — The three finalists for Marshall’s new city manager faced the public Monday evening at the Marshall Convention Center, delivering urgent plans to overhaul the city’s crumbling water and wastewater infrastructure — the top priority for this East Texas community.
The forum, led by Mayor Amy Ware, spotlighted the critical decision before city leadership as they work to select a new manager capable of stabilizing Marshall’s essential services and advancing community growth. “Selecting our next city manager is one of the most significant decisions we make,” Ware said, emphasizing transparency and public involvement in the process.
Water Crisis Takes Center Stage
All three candidates — Greg Smith, Mike Murray, and Cynthia Northrop — honed in on the dire need for permanent repairs to Marshall’s water and wastewater systems, calling it “crucial to the city’s survival.” Smith called the infrastructure issues “not very fun or exciting” but underscored their central role in maintaining residents’ quality of life.
“The City Council has already secured funding, but this problem has been a long time coming and demands immediate action to protect our basic services,” Smith said.
Murray echoed that the city must “figure out the water problem first” before addressing other priorities like streets and community projects. He confirmed city officials have “lined up some of the funding,” including state assistance, to tackle these costly but necessary upgrades.
Northrop pointed to Marshall’s low debt rate as a “strategic advantage” for leveraging capital to fund these urgent infrastructure needs. She highlighted national and local trends where infrastructure gaps threaten community stability and growth.
Candidate Backgrounds and Visions
Greg Smith brings 23 years of city management experience, mainly in East Texas and Houston-area municipalities, with a recent focus on complex emergency management and capital projects such as infrastructure upgrades impacting nearly 95% of households.
Mike Murray, a longtime East Texas city manager currently serving Bridgeport, emphasized his deep ties to the region, stating, “We love Marshall — it feels like home.” His experience managing major public works including sewer and water plant renovations positions him well to lead in the city’s recovery efforts.
Cynthia Northrop has over 20 years in government leadership, with a unique background transitioning from fashion to city management. Now leading Breckenridge, she is passionate about community engagement and educating residents on local government operations. Northrop plans extensive outreach in her first 100 days, targeting civic leaders, schools, and agencies.
Community Engagement and Next Steps
The candidates answered resident questions on public safety, morale, and growth strategies, each promising a commitment to visibility, accessibility, and collaboration with city staff and community stakeholders. Smith stressed unity despite differing opinions to move Marshall forward.
The city council’s next phase will include further public input before naming a permanent city manager, a critical step as Marshall confronts one of its toughest challenges yet — ensuring reliable water service and infrastructure for thousands of residents and businesses.
Mayor Amy Ware closed by thanking the candidates and citizens alike, noting this process “promotes transparency and gives the community a clear voice in the city’s future.”
With water infrastructure threatening day-to-day life and economic stability, the incoming city manager must act quickly. The community and council await a decisive choice that could define Marshall’s resilience and growth for years to come.
