What's a disagreement among friends?
I can understand Lila's
opinion in believing that Michael's contributions in the past with regard
to the issues of homeowners would translate into positive contributions as a
councilman.
For a while I thought the same. The opinions he expressed, carried the elements
of popular concern and a demeanor for proper dialogue. Those are qualities that
are conducive to good governance, but do not necessarily make a good
councilman.
I stand squarely against his stance for greater taxation and his equivalent
disregard for government waste of taxpayer's funds. Both positions are two sides of the same coin.
The idea that we should first seek ways
to expand city revenues before challenging the significant waste of taxpayer's
money demonstrates a significant lack of knowledge of the city's financial
history.
That alone makes him unqualified in my book. That makes many other candidates unqualified
as well. That level of naiveté is
similar to that of three freshmen councilmen in 2001 who approved the city's
change in the pension system that now allows Fire and Police personnel to
retire at 90% of their last salary. I
know how that policy change was sold to the councilmen by city management and
understand the detrimental financial impact on future budgets and the
deterioration of the quality of life of
The impact of budget policies show up eventually in higher taxes, higher
utility rates or both. Those increases
hit hard those residents least able to pay. Those excesses prevent the city from funding
essential programs that can help sustain essential programs for youth and
families at risk, crime prevention, employment and other initiatives.
That Michael Teahan has qualities that would make him an effective association
president or a good father or good friend, I don't doubt. But it takes more than a friendly and
concerned disposition to make a good councilman. A sound understanding of governmental finances
is essential and the willingness to hold management staff accountable even more
so. Those two qualities he has not
demonstrated. His name is absent from
the minutes of many commissions that deal with government accountability or
council meetings that dealt with the budget.
Anyone can talk the talk. Anyone can express
opinions. But few have been willing to
take on a government that has been unaccountable for too long on their waste
and abuse of the taxpayer's money and the loss of opportunities to improve
That is the reason why I've wanted to present to the GHOCC an evaluation of
Good government begins with transparency and a sound evaluation on the true
state of the city. Let's begin there and
see if we can break through the cloud of misinformation that often obscures our
attempts to make Glendale a city that can trail-blaze a path to good government
everywhere.
Herbert Molano