Employees shouldn’t speak to Vanguardians

Regarding the Jan. 21 editorial, “Don’t erase the right to be heard,” I couldn’t disagree more. Councilman Ara Najarian was absolutely right when he urged that a policy be made that would prohibit city workers from speaking to Barry Allen’s group on city time.

I was shocked and appalled on Nov. 1 when I heard Councilman Rafi Manoukian announce from the dais at a City Council meeting that he would be hosting the Vanguardians meeting at Foxy’s restaurant. He went on to say that he had “requested” that a representative from the Police Department attend.

I was so infuriated by this that I emailed Manoukian asking him if he had actually requested this of police, or used the weight of his office to make sure a representative would be there. I told him he was out-and-out wrong, if he used the weight of his office to make this happen.

I received no response.

Also, I find it hard to believe that any city employee would want to speak before the Vanguardians group when all they do is get up at oral communications at City Hall meetings and trash these same city employees and four of the five sitting City Council members.

The Glendale News-Press’ silence was deafening after Bill Weisman broke the true story of Allen at City Council. Here is a thought: Go back to being a legitimate newspaper and begin by investigating the relationship between Barry Allen, the Vanguardians and Manoukian. I have noticed the Vanguardians group sings the praises of Manoukian, once put his email contact in the Vanguardians, in addition to his hosting one of their meetings.

Isn’t this a conflict of Interest? There is definitely something wrong with this picture.

Again, I feel your editorial was absolutely wrong. Najarian was absolutely right with his request for a policy.

Lindsay Soderlund

Glendale