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Memo to Greensboro City Council:

Congratulations.

You have found a new city manager.

You have approved his hiring by a commanding  8-1 majority.

And if first impressions are any indication, Rashad Young is a very good choice to succeed Mitchell Johnson.

He is smart and personable and excellent on his feet.

And he is uncommonly experienced for a 33-year-old.

Neither Johnson nor Johnson's predecessor, Ed Kitchen, had been a city manager before taking the job.

Young has, and for a reasonably large city in Dayton, Ohio.

So far, so good.

Now don't screw this up.

For Young to do his very best work he will need a clear vision from you and consistent feedback.

Johnson got neither.

You should set specific, measurable goals for him. And you should evaluate him on that basis.

You have said this was a good idea before, then you didn't follow up.

You confused and frustrated Johnson with mixed signals and conflicting orders.

You have a clean slate now and a golden opportunity to get this right.

Don't blow it.