News of the Arroyo
Title: | Re-establishing trust |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2007-11-12 |
Summary: | November 12, 2007 - Letter writer Mary Barrie criticize the Arroyo planning process, particularly with regard to the Hahamongna Annex, for a lack of transparency and honesty. |
Author: | Mary Barrie |
Publication: | Pasadena Star-News |
Content: | I was struck by City Manager Cynthia Kurtz\'s comment in Thursday\'s Star-News (\"Pasadena defends its choices,\" Nov. 8) concerning Northwest Pasadena\'s distrust of City Hall. As my dear, late mother was fond of saying, where there\'s smoke, there\'s fire, although I can\'t speak to their particular issues in the Northwest, since I don\'t know the details. For the past 10 years, however, I have been deeply involved in the Arroyo Seco planning process. Although much good is coming to the Arroyo as the result of this process, I have also seen much from Kurtz\'s administration that would justify the community\'s distrust, particularly in the Hahamongna Annex planning process. For instance, earlier in the planning process, the public voiced its strong opposition to a new road to be cut through the Annex and the road was taken out of the plan. Now, four years later, the road is once again on the table. No wonder the public gets hostile. It feels like a never-ending battle in which the staff will always have more time and endless taxpayer funds with which to work. The Hahamongna Annex is a story for another day, too long for a letter to the editor. Rather, I would urge the City Council to take this opportunity with the changing of the guard at City Hall to publicly commit to holding the city staff, particularly at the management level, to honesty and transparency in dealing with the public. If you really want to regain the trust of the citizens, you should back this up with a no-nonsense policy that shows the door to those in leadership positions who are unwilling or unable to be truthful. Mary E. Barrie La Caņada Flintridge |
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