Kudos to the Council

Baker City councilors have had their disagreements recently, but they proved Tuesday that they can carry out the public’s business in an admirably efficient manner.

And a very vital piece of business at that.

We’re encouraged by the straightforward — and cordial — way in which the Council went about finding a new city manager.

On Tuesday, just six weeks after Steve Bogart told councilors he would resign Sept. 23, they voted unanimously to offer the job to Mike Kee, Ontario’s police chief and a former Baker City resident.

Kee brings solid credentials as an administrator. He has run Ontario’s Police Department since 1998, and two years ago he served as that city’s interim manager for seven months.

Perhaps more important, though, Kee, in a sense, has brought the council together.

Whatever their differences — and there will be some, inevitably — at least councilors agree that Kee is the right person to run the city.

That’s only a start, sure.

But it’s a pretty significant one.