If Councilman Gustafson states that “he is still irritated that he was not informed of a decision in December 2005 not to renew the contract of then city manager Steve Burkett,” this was not Maggie Fimia’s fault. Before that December council meeting, Councilman Ransom informed the mayor and deputy mayor “upfront and legally” that this issue was to be an agenda item.

Rich Gustafson’s public attack on past and present councilmembers who are the lawsuit’s defendants, knowing they cannot respond to him, is out of order.

These attacks divert attention from the real issue, namely whether Steve Burkett’s job performance was adequate. There is considerable evidence that it was not. Burkett repeatedly displayed a disrespect for citizens and the business community when their opinion or facts differed from his. I brought this to the attention of the council on occasion. Worse, Burkett’s disregard of Councilman Chang’s sight limitations and needs was mean and malevolent.

Since the city manager is an appointed position, only the council can address the CMs job performance. So why, given the ongoing problems, didn’t Gustafson and others such as Hansen, Jepsen and Grace do so? That’s what we need to know.

Virginia M. Paulsen

Shoreline