07/30/2026
New Eastland City Interim Manager Looks Forward
The new Eastland City Interim Manager, Ron Holliday, spoke with a small media group Tuesday regarding how the city should move forward following the upheaval of the past weeks, which included the resignation of city manager Savanah Fortenberry, and most recently, appointed Mayor Michael Hackney.
Holliday is no stranger to Eastland. He applied for the position of Eastland City Manager in 2008 and held that position until the fall of 2013.
Holliday spoke of his deep feelings for the City of Eastland, beginning in his childhood.
“Going to Eastland was the highlight of my life …” he said, in particular to see his Uncle Fred. Fred had a paper route for the Eastland Telegram, he added, and thus was already earning a dime a week. The highlight was
Saturday when he was allowed to go to the movies with Fred and was treated to popcorn and maybe a coke. “I loved this place … all those memories.” Holliday had a grandmother in Eastland and one in Gorman.
He went to college and later had a dream job as County Manager in Summit County, Colorado from 2002 to 2007. Instead of staying there he decided to come to Eastland, took the job of City Manager, and retired here. Now he has come out of retirement to help Eastland and no doubt there is some “work to do.”
Holliday said he studied communications and he learned that once an image has been formed it is hard to change. “I opened up facebook — Savanah had quit … I woke up … ‘Do you want back in to this? Not an easy thing. Maybe I can help.’ He added: “We need to do what we can to let temperatures cool and jell and get over (this trauma) … earn a new image.”
He was asked if he was fully briefed on Savanah Fortenberry’s departure. “What’s done is done. Can’t change the past … Didn’t know every detail.”
Does he feel that the recent meeting has turned things around? The offering of two people to work together and the shaking of hands?
“Absolutely,” Holliday replied. “I am very positive about tomorrow … I am convinced in positive change and hope it is permanent.”
When ask about power (and what role it might have played), Holliday pointed out that there are all kinds of power. Information is power, he reminded. “Who likes to be blind sighted?” Number one objective: Let everyone know what’s going on.
Holliday reminded that he works for the City of Eastland and respects the relationship with the City Commissioners and Mayor. He has visited with members of the council and mayor.
He said the city employees, police and fire department officials and members were good people.
When asked what people will say about this city incident five years from now, Holliday replied that he hopes (all) will pull together and normality return and (everyone) will aspire to get along.
How can trust be built back? “Be available … talk and listen; have more of this sort of exchange.”
“There is a real good lesson to be learned,” Holliday said.
Michael J. Hackney released his resignation letter to the local Texas Press newspaper, Eastland County Today on July 28, 2026 which was released to public that day.
