Council Criticized for Firing Manager

The holiday spirit was far from evident at the Pasadena City Council meeting Monday, when some residents belittled officials for deciding last week to fire City Manager Phil Hawkey before his contract is up in 1999.

Speakers took turns either praising Hawkey’s seven-year tenure or questioning how, just a few weeks after deciding that the city manager should serve out his contract, the council changed its mind. The council voted 4-2--with council members Paul Little and Bill Crowfoot dissenting and Ann-Marie Villicana absent--to have Hawkey leave as early as June.

Several African American community leaders spoke in Hawkey’s favor, even though the city manager was criticized for being disliked by many in the minority community.

The Rev. David Scott said the council never gave Hawkey a chance. “It’s nothing but a lynch mob,” Scott said. He compared Mayor Chris Holden’s support of Hawkey’s firing to the departure of former LAPD Chief Willie L. Williams, which drew criticism from Holden’s father, Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden.

Mayor Holden said it was inappropriate for council members to discuss Hawkey’s performance while they were still trying to negotiate his departure.

Under Hawkey’s contract, he would get $74,000 if he leaves before October 1999. The city is also negotiating whether Hawkey must repay $300,000 it lent him to buy a house.