In light of all the possible job changes East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton has been considering in the last few months, we wonder what his next move will be.

In November, Staton withdrew his application for a city manager position of another college town, Evanston, Ill., where Northwestern University is located.

He also had been in talks with the Michigan Municipal League since October and was one of three finalists from more than 100 applicants for the position of executive director. This week, Staton found out he wasn't offered the position.

In December, Staton said he was not actively seeking out new job opportunities, but is contacted by six recruiting firms on a monthly basis.

However, Staton's recent activities have us concerned whether his loyalties lie with the city or his own career advancement.

Staton has accomplished a number of things that prove he is a capable city manager. He has worked to redevelop parts of East Lansing and is credited with increasing the city's size by about 50 percent. He has done a lot for our city, and we think he can continue to improve it.

But how can we trust what Staton says? In December, he also said it would take an extraordinary opportunity for him to leave East Lansing because of his family. However, at the same time, he was applying for the job with the municipal league. It seems he is playing both sides of the fence: looking for work, but saying he wants to stay here.

Admittedly, 10 years seems like a fairly lengthy time to be with one city, and we do not blame Staton for wanting to seek out a better job. We are just not comfortable with him looking for a new job while telling us he wants to stay.

We want a city manager who wants to be here to do good things for the city, not someone who would jump at another opportunity if one presented itself. It's important that Staton be honest and let the citizens know what his true intentions are so we can trust his words and actions.