We join Morgan Hill
’s elected officials in their surprise at the lack of citizen
outrage over the second settlement between City Attorney Helene
Leichter and the city.
We join Morgan Hill’s elected officials in their surprise at the lack of citizen outrage over the second settlement between City Attorney Helene Leichter and the city.
Unlike them, we suspect, we’re calling on Morgan Hill’s citizens to let elected officials hear some righteous indignation about the settlements, and to remember the expensive Leichter settlements at the next council election.
For the second time, city officials have paid lots of money to Leichter for a promise not sue them.
The first settlement in September 2004 cost the city $40,000 plus a seven-week vacation bonus for Leichter. The settlement stemmed from rumors that Leichter and City Manager Ed Tewes were having an affair – which both have steadfastly denied – that were apparently passed along by former City Councilwoman Hedy Chang.
The latest settlement has a $233,055.80 price tag that breaks down like this: Leichter submits her resignation and promises not to sue the city in exchange for $53,750 for her salary and benefits to July 1, $18,055.80 for accrued vacation to July 1 and $161,250 “in compensation for alleged physical injury or sickness,” which have not been publicly explained.
The lack of public explanation for this outrageous outlay of taxpayer dollars during these tight fiscal times just adds insult to injury. For instance, the cost of the settlement could have used to used to fund two plus police officers at about $98,000 each for one year.
The city could have used the money to install in-pavement flashing lights to improve crosswalk visibility in the downtown. And then there are potholes that crop up every winter and spring and need filling. How about helping to fund the new library or make up the operating deficit at the aquatics center. The list goes on.
And the tepid justifications offered by city officials about the settlement are hardly reassuring.
“We can console ourselves with the notion that, given the same information, most people would have done the same thing,” Councilman Greg Sellers said.
“It’s the right thing for the city,” Councilman Mark Grzan said.
It makes us wonder: Why are city officials paying Leichter twice not to sue them? What is worth more than $250,000 to make her go away?
Citizens have a right to know: Is Morgan Hill managed so badly that employees are being damaged to the tune of six figures, are our elected officials terrible negotiators, or, perhaps, both?
Elected city officials have a duty to the taxpayers whose money they are handing over to Leichter to fully explain the circumstances surrounding the settlements.
Without such an explanation, citizens cannot properly evaluate the performance of their officials in their important role in managing the city and as citizens’ representatives at the negotiating table.
Without such an explanation, citizens will be forced to make assumptions about the reasons behind the settlement, and we doubt that those assumptions will be flattering to council members who have given more than a quarter million of their hard-earned tax dollars away for two promises not to sue.
