Fiscal Crisis

Re “It’s Up to Supervisors,” Ventura County editorials, Dec. 5.

I applaud your editorial calling for Auditor-Controller Tom Mahon’s resignation. While blame for the current fiscal crisis in Ventura County does not belong to Mahon alone, he must be held accountable for not performing his duty to disclose the magnitude of these problems until forced to by the resignation of Chief Administrative Officer David L. Baker.

While Mahon’s performance in this aspect of his job was bad enough, what I really find outrageous is the rash of contradictory statements by Mahon that appeared daily in the newspapers last week, particularly in regard to making payroll for the county’s employees. Elected officials who won’t or can’t communicate truthfully with the public have no business in office.

Ironically, in the same edition, Mahon’s former opponent, Steve Maulhardt, wrote a very concise piece summarizing Mr. Mahon’s shortcomings while in office. If more voters had listened to Mr. Maulhardt during the last election, we might not be in this situation today.

ROBERT STEWART

Camarillo

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Your editorial reflects my viewpoint precisely. However, although it may be up to the supervisors in the short run, ultimately it will be up to the voters of this county to eliminate this mismanagement of affairs.

The residents of Ventura County deserve better and should take control by voting in competent supervisors and managers at the next election. This whole sorry situation is a disgrace and should not be tolerated.

JOHN NEWCOMB

Simi Valley