Letter to the Editor: Planning commissioner responds to removal

Dear Editor:

I’ve been asked to address Councilman Alex Saab’s choice to make a change in the planning commission, mid term, in order to give others an opportunity to serve. I intend to do this with two letters. This being the first, simply sharing my beliefs about the motives. The second being more descriptive. 

I want to be clear. I don’t have a problem with leaving the commission, and I’m not lobbying to keep that position. I understand that I serve at the pleasure of the council. I have a problem with what’s going on in the city, and my councilmen not supporting our efforts of transparency, but condoning the city staff’s repression of citizen awareness and engagement.

Why would the city try and stop this effort? I believe that if our efforts were successful,  they feel it might become too disruptive to their process. It’s true that greater community involvement might take more time and effort. Democracy is not always the most efficient, but it’s critical for an effective democracy. 

Anyone who knows Alex, knows he’s a very nice person and I consider him a friend. I believe that, although he has remained mostly silent and unsupportive of our efforts toward an independent planning commission and a more aware and engaged community, his heart and intentions are in the right place. The challenges and pressures of city politics can be overwhelming. The signs are there. From the awkward attempts to prevent Sean Ashton’s mayoral bid, to not supporting the efforts of the commission for increased community awareness and involvement. This pressure is especially difficult for someone like Alex, who wants to do the right thing and remain nice.

I believe those pressures and struggles may have taken its toll on him. I feel for him, knowing that he began his term with the goals of high levels of passion for transparency and community engagement.  He has done, and will continue to do, great things for the community.

In this instance, however, I believe he has fallen short. And that’s ok. We all do. It’s a difficult and thankless job. It’s one of the reasons I’ve chosen to stay away from the political city council arena. 

Power, politics, ethics, friends. Nothing new here. It’s human nature. As old as time. We all know that. (Et tu, Brute?)

Hopefully we can all grow in wisdom and come away from this with more wisdom while maintaining love and respect for each other knowing that we are just human. We need to move forward and keep all of this in perspective by knowing what’s really important, especially today, Sunday,  and this season. That although we all at times fall short, me included, and we all have our own weaknesses and strengths, that our true strength comes from God and His sacrifice and His gift of forgiveness through grace.  

I feel compelled to share these feelings. Remaining silent would only serve to condone and make me complicit. I don’t meet the status quo, rubber stamp mold that I believe they want. I believe we are here to do our best, and to pursue truth, transparency and accountability even when faced with challenging circumstances.

Jim Rodriguez
Downey