GALVESTON — Two days after saying he had pulled his name out of consideration for the city manager’s job in Pflugerville, Deputy City Manager Brandon Wade was given the job in the Central Texas town.
On Monday, Wade, who was one of three finalists for the position, said he told city officials in Pflugerville he wanted to stay in Galveston despite his desire to be a city manager and the better pay.
Wade said “it didn’t feel right” to leave Galveston during its recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, which struck Galveston on Sept. 13, 2008.
“I really felt like I was needed here in Galveston,” he said. “It’s really not time to be leaving Galveston.”
But by Wednesday he had obviously changed his mind because the city of Pflugerville announced he would be hired. The Pflugerville city council met Tuesday night in executive session to discuss its pick for city manager and is scheduled to make the hire official during a council meeting next week, according to a city news release.
Wade did not return calls Wednesday night to explain why he had the change of heart.
But he did make a statement released by the city of Pflugerville.
“It is also with a deep sadness that I leave the city of Galveston after nearly 11 years of service. There will not be a day that goes by that I will not be grateful to Galveston for the support and opportunities I received there,” he said.
Galveston City Manager Steve LeBlanc, in an e-mail to city council members Wednesday night said he was sad to see Wade leave the city but congratulated him on his new position.
Pflugerville’s mayor said Galveston’s loss was his town’s gain.
“I’m excited about the vision Brandon expressed for Pflugerville’s growth and our need to maintain Pflugerville’s unique sense of community as our growth continues to spiral,” Pflugerville Mayor Jeff Coleman said in a statement.
