The Council and the Columnist

Dana Parsons’ column about the behavior of the Seal Beach City Council (“City Council Meeting Erupts at Weekly Seal Beach Brawl,” April 24) tells a sad story about human behavior and the lack of mature leadership that is prevalent in all too many city councils.

Perhaps the problem is age-old and I have only recently become more aware of it because of the news media. If so, I applaud the media and hope they will continue to bring the issue to our attention so we can file it away for the next election.

However, council members should take note and clean up their acts. In most cases it was ego, more than talent and dedication, that inspired them to run for office in the first place.

Once there, it is time to forget about ego and special interests and learn to compromise and keep the best interest of the community in mind.

Arguing and name-calling in public, and representing the applicants who are best able to give campaign contributions, are not in the best interest of the community.

PAUL E. BROWN, Huntington Beach