We have had the first measurable rain in Taft in a long time. The hills are green, the mountains have snow, and all that rain has cleansed the community, except for the dirty politics in Taft. I want to take this moment to apologize to the citizens of the City of Taft for the embarrassment that has been caused to you, the citizens of Taft, by this Council.
The Grand Jury recently issued a report in regards to our City Manager and whether he had the authority to give raises to senior staff or not. As you may know, I have been an outspoken proponent for Taft for the past thirty years by continually being involved in trying to upgrade the image by which outsiders see us. I have always tried to shed a positive light on our community and have tried over the years to lead by example. This report is basically saying that I have not taken my position as Councilman seriously; that I have been flawed in my oversight of City business; that all my past good work has been a waste. They have taken great liberties regarding my reputation and my dedication to this city over this one issue, which is only one of many that I have had to deal with in my time in office.
I ran 7 years ago because I thought that I could contribute and make a difference for the community that I truly love. I have had no special interest other than doing what is the right thing for the community and had expectations that others would feel the same way. I have, as you may know, been in the minority on this council for the past 5 years. As an example, I was not allowed to be on a rotational committee assignment to the finance or the personnel committee although I had 14 years of experience with the Health Care District board, which oversaw 10 million dollar budgets and 150+ employees. I regulated myself to be a sideline player and the only pressure that I could exert was the power of my vote. I knew that a budget is a fluid document that could re-addressed at anytime for any reason during the year.
I want you to know, that I have never called the newspapers or TV stations to come to City Hall to cover supposed news stories on things I didn't feel were right. I never castigated the print press at Council meetings in front of our local TV audience, and I certainly never ran to the Grand Jury on any issue concerning the City. I felt in most cases, the Council, with over sight from our City Attorney and City Manager, that we could handle things in house. The same so, on the issue of this Grand Jury report. The Council was prepared to take action. Because Mr. Thompson could not partake in the evaluation process due to conflict of interest issues, he decided to take privileged documents to the Grand Jury to state his case there before the Council could reasonably take action. By the way, those same documents wound up at the Bakersfield Californian at the same time.
Once the Grand Jury became involved, the Council agreed to hold off on any internal investigation and the evaluation of the City Manager. Mr. Thompson's actions took it off the table. I believe that we as a council could have found solutions to the problems presented in the report back in September, without having to go through this very public embarrassing episode.
We did approach another law firm the Council had hired for other projects, for an opinion. This attorney is highly regarded with the League of Cities and is presently the City Attorney for 4-5 other cities in the state. The Grand Jury questioned our thought process to do this. Ironically, they did not question this attorney about his opinion. Then I ask you, why would a majority of the Council feel we needed another attorney's opinion when we have had the same City Attorney for the past 20 years? Why would we do that?? Maybe because after all these years we didn't feel comfortable with the advice we were getting, not because we were fishing for an opinion that we wanted, like the Grand Jury foreman suggested.
I have stated from the very beginning of this process that the Council could have fixed this raise issue for senior staff by requiring all staff salary negotiations go through the City Council first, period. Then we could look into the matter of the gift of public funds issue and how we could resolve it with the affected employees. Then finally, we would sit down with Mr. Gorson and decide whether he retains his job or do we give him corrective action, rehabilitate him, and set goals and probationary actions. Mr. Thompson's actions have precluded us from doing that for the past 5 months. We didn't need the Grand Jury to tell us what we already knew what was needed to be done.
I am a part time City Councilman. I don't know all the rules, laws, ordinances, and procedures by heart. When issues come up, I study them, make informed decisions, and vote in the best interests of the Citizens of Taft. I don't micro-manage. We have a very professional staff. This position is not my life as seems it is for some. I had a full time job and like you have family, friends, health issues, and other community wide commitments while keeping up with City business. No one told me when I was elected I had to devote all my time and energies to the City.
Am I a mediocre or bad City Councilman? I don't believe so. I take pride in my service to the community and to this City and if you, the electorate, don't want me here anymore, just let me know and I shall not run for this council seat again.
Being on this Council has always been a long difficult time for me. I am not a political person and I do not play games. I have no personal agenda other than to do what is right for me, so I can live with myself, and for the City of Taft.
I have not brought attention to myself nor have I sought the limelight; not brought embarrassment to the City or myself; not involved my personal business interests in City politics; nor have I involved myself in conflicts of interest; nor have I pursued the supposed power that comes with elected office. I have tried to bring some common sense to the issues presented to me and tried to provide a little humor to the proceedings. I have worked hard for the citizens of Taft to forge and earn their trust and the same with other people and organizations than can help Taft become the best that it can be.
I believe my reputation speaks for itself.
I have lived in Taft not just resided here.