Dear Editor,
From: Eugene Shelton
Morro Bay
I'm unsettled about what is happening in Morro Bay. We recently had an election in which a new mayor and council members were asked to change the direction of the previous city council. Yet, we are facing an expensive and unnecessary recall election that aims to oust our new mayor, Jamie Irons. Why should we have a special election to recall the mayor when we will have an opportunity to vote in just little over a year?
What appears to be happening is a few former "movers and shakers" want to change the composition of the city council rather than wait until the regularly scheduled election. Why?
In short , a special election usually generates fewer votes than a regular election and an active turn-out of the recall vote can improve the chance for a successful recall.
Another issue that the special interest group wants to gain control over is the sewer plant issue. A majority of the present city council wants to site and rebuild the present sewer plant in a new location following the suggestions of the state coastal commission. The recall group wants to force Morro Bay and Cayucos to rebuild the sewer plant at its present coastal site. There are many reasonable arguments against rebuilding at the present site.
Clearly, the recall group has an agenda that is not in the best interest of the community and I hope you will let them know.
From: Frank Merrill
Morro Bay
The motives of those attempting the recall of Morro Bay's mayor seem highly suspect. Because their stated grounds don't appear truthful, the whole exercise just smacks as unseemly politics. One might say "who cares, this won't go anywhere" but this thing is another of the expensive diversions that we in Morro Bay are so tired of.
Photo by Vince Cicero
Morro Rock Morning
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From: Roger Ewing
Morro Bay
Never in the 24 years that I have been a resident of Morro Bay have I witnessed such meanness & nastiness directed at a sitting mayor or council. These bullying tactics expressed by those determined to oust the mayor do not reflect the true character of the majority of our citizens . . . citizens who, in 2012, overwhelmingly elected Jamie Irons, Noah Smuckler, and Christine Johnson.
The primary election in June, 2012 was a defining moment for change. Never before have three citizens been elected to office at one time without having to go through a run-off. The "old guard" now finds itself in the minority . . . a position difficult for them to accept. Yet these same people, who want us to keep the new Water Reclamation Facility at its current location, and to do so with minimal standards and no investment in the future, are the same people asking us to sign a recall petition against the Mayor.
It was concluded by the Council that our city attorney, who for 16 years did the bidding of the few, was the wrong individual to promote & secure a new direction for the governance of our city; thus he is being dismissed. This legal and rightful act was the Council's to make and they did so in a public forum; but I don't believe anyone expected the vindictiveness of self interest to be so hateful.
I have absolute trust and faith in the integrity and honesty of Mayor Jamie Irons and Councilpersons Noah Smuckler & Christine Johnson; they are endeavoring to turn Morro Bay around, and establish a community where public input is welcomed, differing ideas are discussed, and transparency and openness are the norm.
So I propose the following question: why would any of us who welcome this change want to negate all that and return to the policies of self interest? I urge you to ignore this petition . . . a petition based on lies and misrepresentations.
From: Betty Winholtz
Morro Bay
RE: Anti-Firing of Lueker, Schultz Buried in Politics, Issue 52
Perhaps the reason there is such a charge from some regarding the Morro Bay city manager/attorney controversy is the fundamental perspective succinctly stated by former Morro Bay Fire Chief Jim Jones when he addressed the Morro Bay City Council with these words, "You guys are part-time advisers to the city. These guys are professionals."
He is calling the mayor and council members advisers, rather than acknowledging their positions as leaders selected by a majority vote. Is he implying that the unelected, hired help should set policy and direction, rather than the duly elected representatives of the people? Our government was designed to work the other way: staff is hired to carry out Council's goals, goals selected as a result of public deliberation.
Is it professional to stir up controversy? Is it professional to be insubordinate? Is it professional to occupy a position without the accompanying education?
Professionalism is a desirable characteristic in any position. Professionalism should not be confused with longevity. Longevity is a matter of endurance, not quality.
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