Hypothesis Flawed in Gallegly Story

Your recent article, “Turnover Is High Among Top Aides of Rep. Gallegly,” is a prime example of a hypothesis in search of a story.

As Elton’s first chief of staff from 1986 until 1990, I saw from the inside how Elton works with his staff. And having worked with Elton for six years prior, when he was serving as mayor of Simi Valley, and two years before that when he was a City Council member, I probably am the most qualified individual to describe how it is to work with him.

Elton does expect productivity from his staff--there is no doubt of that. In terms of spending policies for staff salaries, he does expect performance for pay--as it should be. And those who perform find it fairly easy to work with Elton. The reverse is also true.

But your story went beyond the facts in an attempt to justify its hypothesis. The story says “a survey . . . suggests . . . turnover in Gallegly’s office runs higher than average,” but the story’s only backs this up in one position (and that was further explained by an independent consultant). While the story says that “some past staffers have suggested that he is a difficult boss,” the article does not name one past staff member who is either backgrounded (or quoted) with a negative thought or comment--all of the former staff quoted, in fact, have only positive comments.

I believe that you usually try to maintain a higher standard of evidence to develop a hypothesis for a story than this article provides. Something must have slipped through a crack--and may have done some harm along the way.

MIKE SEDELL, Simi Valley. Mike Sedell is the city manager of Simi Valley.