Letters to the Editor: City manager's departure
Dear Editor:
Downey government is at a possible crisis juncture.
A misguided majority of the current city council (Catherine Alvarez, Sean Ashton and Mario Trujillo) voted to oust Gilbert Livas as city manager. Fortunately, after serious objections by citizens and city employees, the council backed off. However, since Gilbert determined he could not work further with such a council, he has tendered his resignation, effective next July.
The pending crisis is what does the misguided majority of the council desire? Do they desire a weak replacement city manager who will follow their misguided dictates, such as increasing their and the manager’s payments from the city? Are we going to follow such illegal actions as did the city of Bell?
I know that Downey has intelligent and educated citizens who could serve well on the council. I suggest that some consider getting involved. I moved to Downey in 1957 with my new bride. I served on the council for two terms in the 1990’s, with a capable city manager and a good council. We worked well together and did many helpful things for the city. Downey is a wonderful city in which to live and raise a family.
Let’s keep it that way! Come forward good citizens - get involved with the city and avoid a crisis.
Bob Brazelton
Downey
Dear Editor:
The old ways of conducting City Council meetings with respect and decorum have been thrown, beaten, and burned. I know Valentine’s Day just passed but perhaps couples from Downey can catch the local circus at the next council meeting. The event is free but virtual.
The latest debauchery at City Hall involved the resignation of our 15-year city manager, Gilbert Livas. Mr. Livas will step down and retire July 1, 2022, with an extra $452,000 given as part of the “separation agreement.”
What is the role of a city manager? For me, a city manager is akin to a chief executive officer at a Fortune 100 or 500 corporation. It is a tough job. The job likely involves late night calls every night, working weekends, dealing with disgruntled constituents, and dealing with potential business investors. At the end of the day, the buck stops with the city manager.
Hypothetically speaking, even if the city manager was not the cause of some major failure within the city, he would be responsible. In short, I imagine a short list of qualified people rise to the level of Gilbert Livas.
On Feb. 8, the current Downey City Council voted 4-1 and accepted Mr. Livas’ resignation. Now, I know that I am not the sharpest knife in the box, but if a person resigns, it is on their own volition. Essentially, the person writes a letter to their immediate supervisor, here the Downey City Council Members, stating “I am resigning for….” And that is the end of the conversation.
However, in Downey, the City Council members must vote to accept or reject Mr. Livas’ resignation. Taking the procedure of the Downey City Council regarding resignations to its logical extreme would mean that a person who does not want to work in the role they are presently employed at must secure a majority vote from Downey City Council members to formally resign.
The procedure is quite facetious. On one hand, an employee has provided notice of resignation, which ends an employment relationship, but then if the majority of City Council members vote to reject the resignation, the person stays. What if the majority voted to not accept Mr. Livas’ resignation? Would that outcome have secured Mr. Livas’ job?
At that point, the hypothetical person is in a tough place; on one hand, he does not wish to work for an organization, but on the other hand, he could be forced to stay if the resignation is not accepted.
Vijay Patel
Downey
Dear Editor:
I’m sorry to see Gilbert Livas resigning his city manager post. He did such a wonderful job.
Why the sudden unexplained dissatisfaction? Is it possible that the anti-Livas cabal within our city council has a political crony in the wings waiting to fill the city manager position? A crony who needs a job?
Usually such machinations are well planned ahead of time behind closed doors. What were the grounds for the anti-Livas faction’s move to dismiss Gilbert? Why the closed meeting secrecy?
John Marinelli
Downey