Council majority unfairly attacked

As the 1991-1992 chair of the planning commission of the city of Thousand Oaks, it has been with great interest and sadness that I have watched the supporters of ex-City Manager Phil Gatch attack three of the finest public servants I know: Andy Fox, Dennis Gillette and Jacqui Irwin. Ironically, these unfounded attacks belittle Gatch, though he may not realize it, and emphasize that it is best we have a new city manager.

The citizens of Thousand Oaks must remember that Gatch was a political appointee entrusted with our city. Although Gatch was an able director of planning, there was no substantive search for a qualified city manager candidate—the normal routine when this type of opening occurs. He was appointed.

I have no doubt that he thought that his personal relationship with the council members who appointed him would keep him in good stead. He had conscientious and professional long-time staff members who were able to cover his performance issues.

A city cannot be effectively managed in this manner.

Councilmembers Fox, Gillette and Irwin, who had to know that they would be attacked by the Save the Conejo 2000 group, acted as responsible leaders. They gave Gatch an opportunity to save face, which he promptly squandered. They also chose to take the heat. Knowing them and the integrity with which they have served our city, they did the right thing.

Fox, Gillette and Irwin did not respond to these ill-placed attacks because it was an employee performance matter and nothing else. They could have leaked information or lied but they did not.

Fox, in particular, was attacked because he apparently took on the thankless job of telling Gatch what he didn’t want to hear. Fox could have embarrassed Gatch by bringing it up at a public hearing. Instead, Fox treated Gatch and the situation properly with the utmost professionalism.

Instead of the rancorous circus we are witnessing, it’s time to grow up and move on.

My personal thank you to Councilmembers Fox, Gillette and Irwin.

Mervyn Kopp

Thousand Oaks