Simonian Still Has Supporters

* Yorba Linda City Manager Art Simonian was recently put on a paid administrative leave of absence by a bare City Council majority of three votes following a career of nearly 30 years (Aug. 18).

The three, led by the publicity-seeking mayor who is a candidate for state Assembly and a council member who has already resigned his position, claim that they were unaware of the city’s long-standing staff bonus program.

Certainly well-informed City Council members should be cognizant of all city programs, and a highly professional staff should uniformly provide comprehensive information to all City Council members.

That is the way I was taught, and, hopefully, the manner in which I served during my 30-some year municipal government career.

Simonian must have done something right to have been allowed to serve as the Yorba Linda city manager for so long. Many City Council members have had the opportunity to judge his abilities.

It is a shame to see such a highly regarded local government manager used as a pawn for public relations and publicity. Those seeking higher office should not publicly ridicule and condemn government professionals in order to keep their name before the voters. And the media should be wary of such tactics.

A city manager’s position is one of the most difficult in our system of government. He is required to bend to the political leadership of the community and at the same time operate as a professional manager. That means using the most modern and up-to-date techniques to guarantee that the community gets the best for its tax dollars.

Simonian has earned a reputation for providing Yorba Linda with the best possible staff and public services within the community’s resources. There are many local government professionals throughout California that are Simonian-trained.

It is improper to treat a longtime public servant’s reputation so cavalierly. Wouldn’t an annual evaluation be valuable?

Administrative and management program adjustments can certainly be made in a less confrontational and destructive manner. Injuring Simonian’s reputation does not elevate the reputation of others.

JACK A. SIMPSON

Cerritos

* Arthur Simonian has served the city well and faithfully for 27 years. He is the man most responsible for the smooth, successful development of the city. As recently as 1976 there were still buffalo herds here; now Yorba Linda is a premiere bedroom community.

Therefore, I was appalled that the excellent reputation of this dedicated man was besmirched before even a fact of legal wrongdoing was proved--should such a fact even exist.

What could be at issue is merely a lack of communication between Simonian and the City Council. Or perhaps there was a failure on the part of a majority of the City Council to know the specific provisions of its own city budget, including salary resolutions upon which they all voted yes.

Simonian was cast to the wolves by Mayor John Gullixson, who has long envied the continuing success and popularity of the city manager.

Your newspaper’s ongoing quoting of Gullixson should be represented as his individual comments and not necessarily the views of all five council people.

Let me make it clear that Gullixson does not speak for me now or ever.

His pronouncements to the media at this time come as he is considering running for the state Legislature. He needs an issue, a cause to champion, however misguided.

I have both professional and personal disdain for Gullixson based on his performance, or more particularly, a failure to perform in the best interest of Yorba Linda residents.

I am of the opinion that Gullixson, an attorney, as mayor has twisted the truth, manipulated people and treated fellow council people and public speakers before the council as if all were children.

“Rude” and “arrogant” are the two words I commonly hear from residents in describing Gullixson. He has been more of a disruptive force than an elected leader. This is the man who accuses Simonian.

HENRY WEDAA

City Council member

Yorba Linda