Man of Many Titles, He Submits Resignation(s)

Charles R. Martin--whose jobs in Irwindale include city attorney, city clerk and acting city manager--is calling it quits on a colorful 23-year government career.

Martin, 67, announced last week he will resign from all of his positions in the tiny industrial city, where he earns $120,000 annually. His other jobs include personnel director, redevelopment director and counsel to the Redevelopment Agency.

Martin set no specific date for stepping aside, saying he would remain in each job as long as it takes the council to fill the position.

His multiple roles have given Martin considerable clout. During his tenure, he helped transform Irwindale into a magnet for business and industry, which briefly captured the attention of the Los Angeles Raiders football team.

Martin reaped the benefits of redevelopment; for a while, he took commissions on bond issues he recommended to the City Council, but stopped the practice in 1987 after an investigation by the Los Angeles district attorney’s office. He agreed to pay $400,000 in civil fines to avoid criminal prosecution on conflict-of-interest charges.

In an Oct. 10 resignation letter to the City Council, Martin said he was leaving “on my own free will. Nobody has made my jobs impossible or in any way forced me out.”

“Together, we have accomplished a lot and converted the city of Irwindale into a most desirable place to live,” Martin said.

Martin and the five City Council members were attending a League of California Cities conference this week and could not be reached for comment.

In the past, at least one council member questioned whether Martin was spreading himself too thin with all his responsibilities. After he was elected in April, 1990, Councilman Frederick Barbosa said he would try to persuade Martin to relinquish at least two of his posts.

One month later, Martin announced he would resign as manager but keep his other jobs.

But in May, 1991, he found himself back in the manager’s seat when his replacement, Fred Herrera, left work on a stress-related disability. Herrera is not expected to return, a city employee said.

Martin will continue to serve as city attorney for Sierra Madre and Temple City, both part-time jobs. He earns $12,000 a year in Sierra Madre and $33,000 a year in Temple City.

Earlier in his career, Martin came under heavy criticism as he built up a network of jobs all over the San Gabriel Valley.

At his peak, he held 16 positions in six cities, including city manager and city attorney in Irwindale, San Marino and South Pasadena; city attorney in Sierra Madre and Temple City, and city administrator, city attorney and redevelopment director in Azusa.

In 1983, after vocal residents’ groups and some city officials questioned whether they were getting their money’s worth with Martin, he agreed to give up most of his jobs. He said he would retire by 1986.

But when a chance came to lure the Los Angeles Raiders to Irwindale, Martin postponed his retirement plans indefinitely to work on the football stadium deal that ultimately failed, costing the city $10 million.