Withhold judgment until the facts are in

Withhold judgment until the facts are in

Why are memories so short? Does anyone in Thousand Oaks remember former City Manager Mary Jane Lazz or former City Attorney Mark Sellers?

Both were forced into retirement when the city council’s political interest changed. Mark and Mary Jane both worked for the city for many years in good standing. Where was the public outcry then?

With former city officials like Frank Schillo, Judy Lazar and Bob Wilson standing behind the integrity of the city council’s courageous three musketeers, I can’t help thinking there is something more behind Mr. Gatch’s departure. How was Mr. Gatch’s performance as city manager? No one has considered this important fact.

There is nothing to debate about Mr. Gatch as a city planner. He did a great job. Could the Peter Principle come into play here? Sometimes employees in corporate and government America get promoted beyond their expertise. Did this happen here?

Let’s not pull a Dan Rather here. Why not wait until the district attorney investigates if any Brown Act violations occurred before or after Mr. Gatch became city manager. This way we will have a nonbiased investigation into the facts.

Lance Holt

Thousand Oaks