Former City Manager Phil Gatch has portrayed himself as a victim of our council majority.

It appears to me, however, he’s a victim of his own poor judgment and lack of professionalism. That Gatch would rely on the campaign committee of failed council candidate Michael Farris and current Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña to defend him against an honest attempt to let him resign with some dignity shows that Gatch thought himself above answering to the rest of the city council.

While council majority Dennis Gillette, Andy Fox and Jacqui Irwin declined to discuss his performance because it is a personnel matter, Gatch let his supporters run offensive newspaper ads and feed the press his version of his resignation.

Few people have forgotten the circumstances of Gatch’s hiring two years ago. The council majority at that time of Bill-de la Peña, Ed Masry and Bob Wilson appointed Gatch after forcing out then-city manager Mary Jane Lazz and city attorney Mark Sellers. Though many expressed concern that Gatch did not have the skills needed and that his years as planning director showed some glaring weaknesses, these concerns were ignored by Bill-de la Peña, Masry and Wilson.

Gatch’s personal relationship with those councilmembers resulted in early raises for him that also increased his retirement benefits. His total compensation soared past $250,000, more than the county manager earns, while morale and excellent long-time staff fled the city for Conejo Recreation and Park District, the city of Westlake Village and retirement.

I commend Councilmembers Fox, Irwin and Gillette for refusing to be intimidated by Gatch’s loud and powerful support. Unlike Gatch, they put the taxpayers first.

Vicki Melia

Thousand Oaks