HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/7/2020 Item 08, Smith
Clerk, Intern
From:carolyn smith <cjsmith_107@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, July
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:July 7, 2020 Council Meeting - Consent Agenda Item re James Papp
Mayor Harmon and Council Members,
As one of your constituents, I'm asking you to not remove James Papp from the CHC. His expertise
and knowledge has been vital to the committee and he provides unbiased opinions based on factual
history and city policies.
This Council frequently talks about wanting diversity in the community and in government. Diversity
should be viewed not only in terms of identity but in diversity of thought and opinions. While Mr.
Papp's opinions and decisions may not always agree with the city staff or push back on undesirable
changes a developer wants to make to historical buildings, they should not be stifled or
dismissed. This is what has contributed to making our city great--diversity of opinions. We have had
numerous councils in the past who have had differing opinions, reflecting the general population of
city residents and allowing for vetted and challenged decisions. However, I fear that is being lost in
our local government, as one school of thought seems to have overtaken our city government,
allowing significant changes in the city that doesn't necessarily reflect the diversity of opinions of city
residents.
Please allow Mr. Papp to remain on the CHC so that he can continue to provide his valuable
expertise and unbiased reviews on projects that come before his committee. We need his
independent thinking in our government in order to have the checks and balances assuring that all
decisions are being fairly evaluated and scrutinized under the context of the city's historical policies.
Thanks you.
Carolyn Smith
SLO City Resident
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