City Manager and Councilman Quit Posts in La Palma

La Palma Councilman Kenneth Tipton and City Manager Richard Rowe announced their resignations Monday. Tipton’s resignation came six days after he was censured by the City Council.

Tipton, often the adversary of his colleagues, said he was quitting because he now was fighting both the council and an Orange County judge. Superior Court Judge John H. Smith Jr., hearing a case last month involving a long-running feud between Tipton and his neighbors, said Tipton needed “professional help.”

Rowe was drawn into the incident when the judge called him to verify Tipton’s claim that he had been out of town on city business and could not be in court for the case. But both Tipton and Rowe said the timing of their resignations was a coincidence and that they were not related.

“I’m tired of fighting City Council people who are corrupt,” Tipton said. “And now it looks like I’m going to have to fight judges, too.” Tipton said he was “definitely expecting a public apology” from Smith.

Rowe, city manager since May 1, 1981, said he has accepted a job as city manager of Chino, effective Feb. 1.

Strain on Job

Although Rowe became unwillingly involved in Tipton’s court dispute, he said that did not trigger his resignation. But he conceded that conflicts among council members have placed a strain on his job, particularly in the last few months.

Last week, the City Council censured Tipton, saying the city was embarrassed when Tipton’s attorney told Judge Smith that Tipton had been in New Orleans on city business and could not be in court.

To verify whether Tipton had been on city business, Smith called the city manager.

Rowe said he told the judge that, at Tipton’s request, he had arranged a tour of New Orleans City Hall for him. In answer to the judge’s questions, Rowe said, he told Smith that Tipton, owner of ABC Pool Service, was attending a business convention and that no city money had been appropriated for the trip. The judge decided that Tipton’s trip did not constitute official city business and denied a motion by Tipton’s attorney to delay the Nov. 20 trial.

Rights to Well

Two days later, the judge ruled in favor of Tipton’s neighbors, Dag and Pat Fossen, and ordered the councilman to pay them $15,000. The judge also ruled that the Fossens have the rights to a disputed well--the latest in a series of disagreements the neighbors have had over the years.

Smith suggested that Tipton seek professional help because he is “constantly unhappy.”

In a move for a new trial, Tipton said that “City Manager Richard Rowe, as well as Councilman Dan Collins, a witness called by the opposing party, are longstanding, bitter political adversaries of mine.”

In censuring Tipton, council members said they were upset that Tipton had questioned Rowe’s integrity, adding that Tipton had embarrassed “the community once again.” A censure is a public reprimand that does not strip the councilman of any of his rights or duties. It is “a public slap on the wrist,” Nelson said.

Tipton said the censure did not prompt his resignation, which becomes effective Jan. 7. The judge’s comments, including his suggestion that Tipton receive professional counseling, led to his resignation, he said.

“Until that man (Smith) shows me that he’s a psychiatrist, he’s misused his office unjustly for his own game,” Tipton said. “I’m saying, ‘Hey, I don’t mind fighting four people, five people, or six people, but when I have to get up all the way into the court system. . . .” Tipton said the “judge is out on left field.”

Smith could not be reached for comment Monday.

Reaction from city officials about the resignations varied considerably.

“Maybe (now) we can have a little peace and harmony among the council and work toward the betterment of the city,” Vice Mayor Richard Polis said of Tipton’s resignation, adding that it was “overdue.” Of Rowe’s resignation, Polis said: “I’m a little upset about it. I think we’re losing a good man.”

Councilwoman Norma Nomura Seidel said Tipton’s resignation was “in the best interest of the whole community. . . . I have to commend him for taking the right action.”

Of Rowe’s resignation, Seidel expressed surprise, saying: “Richard Rowe is a very talented person. . . . I’m really pleased that he got this promotion. He’s an achiever. You can’t keep a good man down.”

In Chino, Rowe, 44, said he will receive $67,000 annually, compared to $64,000 in La Palma, and oversee a bigger city--with a population of more than 50,000 people--and a $32-million annual budget, compared to La Palma’s $6.5-million budget.

Mayor Keith Nelson said he knew that Rowe had been job hunting but that he was “stunned” about Tipton.

“I don’t really know what to think,” Nelson said. “I never thought Ken was one to back down from a fight.” But, he said, the resignation is “good for the community. He’s a factor for unrest. This might solidify the council a little more.”

Tipton, whose term would have expired next November, said the continuous bickering with neighbors and fellow council members put a strain on his family and recently had forced him to spend all his time as a councilman defending himself.

“It’s very hard, when you sit down and start filling out the pluses and the minuses, the pluses look like nothing but protecting Ken Tipton for Ken Tipton,” he said.

Tipton said the Fossens and other neighbors, including Vice Mayor Polis’ parents, for years have tried to “run” him out of town.

“I resign,” Tipton said. “They (the council) can sit up there and play their lying and cheating games, and I don’t have to be a part of it.”

Describing his life as a councilman, Tipton said: “You’re always wrong, till proven right. You can’t say things. You can’t do things. You have other council people who have tried for four years to get you off the council (and) for 12 years to get you out of the city.”