Arnold to return to work
By Erin Cooper
The Community News
Changes in administration are once again taking place at Willow Park city hall.
Last Monday, Feb. 11, the city council voted to create the municipal office of deputy chief of police and immediately appointed someone to the office – former mayor Brad Johnson.
According to Mayor Marvin Glasgow, Johnson had expressed an interest in being Willow Park police chief several years ago and when this new office was created, he seemed like the perfect fit.
“It seemed like the logical choice to pick him,” Glasgow said. “He lives in Willow Park, he has 25-30 years experience, is already familiar with the city, as being mayor, and he’s familiar with all our activities around here.”
Council member Barry Tatum was the only opposing vote for both action items.
Johnson’s office as deputy police chief will be a full-time paid position and he will be responsible for running the police department.
Meanwhile, Claud Arnold, the former police chief who had been suspended with pay since November, will return to his duties as city administrator, relinquishing control of the police department to Johnson.
“I think this will be good for the city, having both of them back; it was kind of a load on Mr. Arnold having two jobs as chief of police and city administrator and there were times that it kind of stretched him pretty thin, in my personal opinion,” said Glasgow.
“As far as the day-to-day activities and the provision of the police department, Mr. Johnson can take care of that and Mr. Arnold can take care of the day-to-day activities and get us moving on down the road on things we need to do, like our roads, our sewer system, water and all the other stuff that cities are going through right now.”
Both men have signed contracts with the city and will begin work on Monday, Feb. 25.
Johnson served as Willow Park mayor from 2006-07, having filled an unexpired term, but declined to run for re-election last May.
He is a retired 25-year veteran of the Fort Worth Police Department officer, who returned to work last year as a commander of a Palo Pinto County drug unit.
Johnson served as a council member for three terms and mayor for one term.
“I don’t think I can address the needs of the city right now,” he said.
He was succeeded by former Planning and Zoning Commissioner Linn Wetwiska, who ran unopposed one year ago. However, Wetwiska resigned last December in an apparent power struggle with the other council members.
Glasgow, who was Mayor pro-tem, was appointed as his successor.