Comments on: City Manager & His Attorney Want To Redefine ‘Misconduct’

By: Holly Edis

Holly Edis — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:43:52 +0000

Go Dennis!

By: Paul DePietro

Paul DePietro — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:19:03 +0000

Wilberg wants to amend his contract to make it more difficult to fire him for political expediency, not because he’s done something wrong. He sees the writing on the wall and wants to protect himself and his severance package. The language as it’s currently written is open to a great deal of interpretation, not the least of which would be exploited by the torch and pitchfork crowd.

By: Barbara Anderson

Barbara Anderson — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:33:28 +0000

Obviously, Mr. Wilberg must be concerned that he could be implicated on one or more of the following actions: “dishonesty, fraud, self-dealing or willful misconduct” or he wouldn’t be seeking an amendment to eliminate them from his contract. The question is: Should officials be held accountable to the same standards of wrongful conduct as other employees or are they above the law and therefore allowed to amend their contract to tailor their actions?

What reason could the council have for supporting this out-of-order amendment (on the eve of this recall election in which they could lose their majority vote on the dais) unless there is a possible thread connecting them to potential misconduct on Mr. Wilberg’s part that could expose them, should a new majority choose to shed light on such actions?

The hypocrisy is overwhelming. How could Councilmember Kelley, the author of the City of Character program and the new city ordinance under which parents are disciplined for serving liquor to their own children or any minor children in their own home upon mere accusation, therefore support an official’s attempt to suddenly redefine the contract which he has accepted since its inception in 2004 in order to skirt a potential termination that could cause him to lose his severance pay?

Mr. Wilberg and his attorney have truly opened up a can of worms. If this council votes in support of this amendment, and Councilmember MacLean is recalled, there could be a lot of squirming going on. Council members MacLean, Ury and Kelley, must deliberate very carefully before passing this amendment. 2010 is not a year for failing incumbents.

By: Haya Sakadjian

Haya Sakadjian — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:06:14 +0000

If the definition of “toxic political environment” stands for people getting actively involved in democracy, paying attention to what is going on, and standing up for the right of the common citizen, then the United States of America is one pristine nation.

By: Larry Gilbert

Larry Gilbert — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:21:30 +0000

In responding to this proposal, Fullerton attorney/city councilman Shawn Nelson has stated:

“The time for renogotiation is prior to entering in to the agreement. A Re-negotiation should at a minimum include some consession on the part of the city manager. May I ask what he has offered to forgo in exchange for this benefit? If the answer is nothing, a renegotiation at this point would be completely improper.”

By: Paul DePietro

Paul DePietro — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:26:35 +0000

It’s a smart move on the city manager’s part. Mission Viejo is a toxic political environment which creates a lot of instability and anxiety on the part of the manager and organization. Wilberg is simply trying to protect himself as best he can from the pitchfork and torch crowd. It will also make it more difficult to find a good replacement for him if potential candidates believe the political environment in Mission Viejo is in a constant state of political turmoil. Who would really want the aggravation?

By: Pat Ruecker

Pat Ruecker — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:41:31 +0000

I can’t believe the salaries these people are making. Our biggest mistake was becoming a city in the first place. The apathy of the voters then gave us what we have today – a bloated, overpriced, self-serving bunch of politicians who are making Mission Viejo a place that is not the most desirable place to live anymore (and we have been here since 1967). It is time for the recall and time to have a city council that will do what is right for the city.

By: Felicia Golemo

Felicia Golemo — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:53:27 +0000

Maybe it is time for Wilberg to find a new job. He should be given his walking papers.

By: Steve Bauman

Steve Bauman — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:18:23 +0000

Like I said in my previous letter concerning MacLean and our police department. A community gets the politicians and police they want. Do we really want these people?