City Not to Blame for His Resignation

I am writing to take exception to the tone of comments attributed to me (“Finance Director Quits After 3 Months,” July 17) concerning my resignation as finance director with the city of Buena Park. The article makes it appear that I resigned over disagreements with the city manager on how to run the department. Nothing could have been further from my intent.

The reporter contacted me because it appeared that a large number of department heads had recently left the city, which in turn gave the reporter the appearance of management problems. I explained that, except for my departure, which was entirely of my doing, all of the recent departures were either for retirement after long and distinguished careers or for career advancement.

The city manager did not force consultants on me, or make decisions about my department without my knowledge. In response to a question, I did say I had some problems adjusting to the number of consultants used for economic and redevelopment work. However, this was intended to describe problems that I had adjusting to a system, not new consultants being hired to do traditional Finance Department work.

In fairness, if the article raised supposed problems, there should have been some presentation of the respect I have for the entire organization. In fact, I explained to the reporter that I came to Buena Park to work with the city manager and would do so again if future circumstances permit.

Resigning my position as finance director was the toughest moment of my professional life. Circumstances surrounding the health of my parents made it impossible (for me) to run a Finance Department.

The decision to resign was mine alone. Nothing associated with this event should reflect ill on the city, including staff, council and the city manager.

I wish my former colleagues all the best and hope circumstances will permit us to work together again in the future. This was the message I tried to relate to the reporter.

BRIAN MAYHEW

Buena Park