COMMENTARY Questions about the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s City Council

“In the meantime, some serious introspection is called for, by the people of Carmel, and even more so by the members of the city council.  Too many stood by and said nothing, or even applauded, while unnecessary secrets were kept, questionable contracts were signed, and valuable city hall employees were let go.”

Source: Editorial A train wreck in slow motion
The Carmel Pine Cone, September 26, 2014, 24A

And even with the “inevitable conclusion — the departure of city administrator Jason Stilwell.,” will Mayor Jason Burnett and City Council Members Ken Talmage, Victoria Beach, Carrie Theis and Steve Dallas take the appropriate action because they suddenly took the concerns and request of the signers of the PETITION TO TERMINATE THE CURRENT CITY ADMINISTRATOR seriously or because the PETITION served as a catalyst to open a Pandora’s box of unintended consequences which they could no longer ignore?  Do Mayor Jason Burnett and City Council Members Ken Talmage, Victoria Beach, Carrie Theis and Steve Dallas have the capacity for leadership that will be required to rectify a situation which is arguably a reflection of their failures of leadership over months and years?  And if Mayor Jason Burnett and City Council Members Ken Talmage, Victoria Beach, Carrie Theis and Steve Dallas do not have the leadership ability to rectify the situation, “right the wrong,” and “make things right,” then will they have the humility and discipline to resign their positions to enable more worthy and capable residents to assume city leadership positions?  And lastly, can Mayor Jason Burnett and City Council Members Ken Talmage, Victoria Beach and Carrie Theis be entrusted with being in the position of selecting a new city administrator when they applauded City Administrator Jason Stilwell, approved an increase in salary and benefits and contract extension to 2017 at a time when they should have been independently investigating the many red flags and concerns which some citizens raised early on and made known to them?

Written & Published by L. A. Paterson