Gatch was his own worst enemy

Gatch was his own worst enemy

Don Volz’s letter in the May 5 Thousand Oaks Acorn stated that he was "puzzled" that speakers would both wish former city manager Phil Gatch well in retirement and also commend Councilmembers Andy Fox, Dennis Gillette and Jacqui Irwin for their leadership in facilitating the change. It’s unfortunate that Volz doesn’t recognize class when he sees it.

I, too, wish Gatch well, but believe that he should not have remained as city manager. The resignations of valued department heads and other city staff when Gatch’s hiring was announced, the decimation of the city attorney’s office and poor morale during his tenure probably barely touched the surface of other performance problems. I also found the pricy newspaper ads run in Gatch’s defense offensive. I am surprised the newspaper did not write a story about the origin of the payment of those ads.

I commend Fox, Gillette and Irwin for their handling of this matter. It was Gatch who created the entire controversy surrounding his resignation by portraying himself as a victim. He has only himself to blame.

Donna Pettengill

Thousand Oaks