Lori Johnson: Time to throw the bums out of Atwater’s city hall
As a life-long resident of Atwater, I find it disturbing to see the arrogance and disregard coming from the senior leadership of the city council. First, there is something very wrong when the mayor, a big advocate of responsible gun ownership, is surrounded and detained by Sheriff’s deputies during his squirrel hunting escapade. Then there is constant turmoil created by some disgruntled council members who oppose the majority’s selection of the new city manager, Art de Werk. One tactic used by Mayor Jim Price is to demand another criminal investigation of de Werk. In reply, de Werk strongly urged the council to do exactly that and put an end to any controversy.
This year is an opportunity for Atwater voters to put an end to this incompetence. With new leadership, residents could look forward to civility at city hall, a balanced budget and the end to the highest utility rates in Merced County. Voters are urged, on election day, to perform a time-honored American tradition; when politicians act like politicians, we throw the bums out!
Lori Johnson, Atwater
This story was originally published January 30, 2018 at 1:40 PM with the headline "Lori Johnson: Time to throw the bums out of Atwater’s city hall."