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..another LETTER TO THE EDITOR that the
VC Star refuses to print:.....
Editor's Note:
This
letter was sent to the Star and to the
VC Reporter.
The
VC Reporter
printed a slightly modified version of the one shown here, the
intended letter for the Star. -
I
recently read a letter to an editor concerning the qualities of Tom
Holden to be Oxnard’s next mayor. Reading the letter it was clear that
Mr. Robings has not had the opportunity to see Tom function.
The
public has seen Tom Holden verbally trespass and stomp on people who
brought items to the City Council that Tom did not want made public.
When information was presented that Tom did not like he has gone on
the attack with his chest stuck out, his body in a rigid stance, nose
flaring and eyes squinting and voice ringing out in a loud overbearing
manner.
I
too have been on the receiving end of Tom’s uncontrolled emotional and
verbal outbursts when I took the opportunity to speak at a City
Council meeting during public comment period.
I
offered the Council my opinion that the City should not allow Republic
Enterprises to take over the City’s solid waste operations. Tom
Holden, perhaps forgetting for that moment that he was on the Council
dais, stood up and screamed belligerently at me stating that I did not
understand what I was talking about. This left me with a clear
impression that the proposal was going to be approved whether the
public liked it or not. It occurred to me and others that Tom had a
hidden agenda, which was revealed through his acrimonious outburst.
Since the City contracted in 1999 with Republic Enterprises the cost
of operating that program has increased each year by over $2 million
without any improvement in the level of service.
Even
our Mayor Manuel Lopez has stated that Tom Holden is unable to control
himself. The Mayor has stated under oath that “Tom Holden often flies
off the handle”. Mayor Lopez also acknowledged that he had been trying
for years to mentor Tom on proper decorum and gentlemanly behavior.
But alas to no avail.
Another
example of Tom’s poor judgment occurred when Mr. Molina, the City’s
previous finance director, demanded that the Oxnard golf course
operators submit to the City a complete audit of their operations. Tom
said under oath he had personal knowledge that the proper audits were
being provided to the City. But just last year the Ventura County
Grand Jury found that the golf course operators never had a full
financial audit conducted and in fact Mr. Molina was correct in simply
demanding complete audited reports for the safety of the City’s
assets. Now we also know that the City has subsidized the golf course
operators to the tune of over $1 million each year since Tom brought
the current operators on board in 1993.
Tom
has told people that “he favors certain contractors and developers”
and that anyone who disagrees needs to get out of his way. Tom even
went so far as to ask the City Attorney to make changes to the City’s
purchasing rules so that his cronies could be awarded all the bids for
City work. If you are a crony of Mr. Holden, no doubt you want him to
be the next Mayor.
But
if you want good, democratic government, run in a just and fair manner
I strongly suggest another candidate.
Mrs. Dorothy
Maron
Former member - Oxnard City Council
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