Salina City Manager Jacob Wood has released an open letter addressing what he describes as a shift in local political discourse toward personal attacks rather than constructive critique of City decisions. Wood says residents have the right to question, challenge, and criticize City choices, but he draws a clear line between criticism and personal attack.
In the letter, Wood points to recent public commentary that he says has become demeaning and harmful toward individual City employees. He argues that such hostility does not move the community forward and that City employees, while public servants, are also neighbors and fellow community members who deserve to do their jobs without insults, harassment, or hostility.
Wood also reflects on Salina’s recent progress, saying the community’s job growth, housing expansion, and downtown evolution were made possible through people coming together around shared goals. He describes the documentary 4 Days in June, tied to the Smoky Hill River Festival, as a prompt to consider what makes Salina strong when residents collaborate.
Wood says the City welcomes honest feedback and public scrutiny, but insists disagreements with government should not turn into attacks on character or motives. He closes with a call for decency and respect as the standard City employees and elected officials should expect—and as a standard Salina residents should hold for one another.