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Published on 09/29/1997 All articles from this issue

Don't use taxpayer funds to solve a management problem

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Editorial

The Los Altos City Council agenda for Oct. 7 contains an item to approve the hiring of a facilitator to resolve conflicts among the council, planning commission and city planning staff. These conflicts boiled to the surface in late August when the planning commission chairwoman was relieved of her position for using abusive language.

We applaud the council for getting beyond the outburst and digging into the source of the frustration.

The need for conflict resolution is apparent. Perhaps an outside facilitator is the best route to go.

However, we oppose spending taxpayer money to resolve an issue that is basically a management problem. We elect city council members to hire city staff to solve problems and manage city government.

Top management in any company or organization is often confronted with crises created by personality conflicts or differences of opinion. It is the price of being a leader, a manager, to handle such issues. If top management can't deal with the problem, bringing outside experts to assist is a wise move.

We have a professionally trained volunteer Los Altos Mediation Program in place to serve Los Altos and Los Altos Hills-FREE. We believe the results would be fair and equitable to all concerned.

By the way, free is also a four letter word.