HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/7/2020 Item 08, Wood
From:Victoria Wood <victoriawood@charter.net>
Sent:Tuesday, July 7,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Item 8 -Removal of James Papp from CHE
7/7/20
Dear Mayor and Council,
I met James Papp soon after he came to San Luis Obispo while I was helping with a History Center event. I have to say that when I first
met him his style of communication was challenging. However over the years I have found him to be very approachable, pleasant,
helpful and positive in sharing his knowledge. He is passionate about history and has a significant knowledge of our community. When
I have attended CHC meetings I have found his style of running the meetings positive. I recently listened to the meeting of 4/27/20
and I did not feel the presenters were given enough time to describe their project nor did Mr. Pavlik have enough time for his
presentation. I believe the time limits were set by City staff and everyone should be afforded equal time. I have never seen this to
be a problem during a non Zoom meeting. I believe some of these problems may be arising because of Zoom meetings. Zoom
meetings are impersonal and people share differently or not at all. I was fortunate to have been appointed to the CHC three times
and it is a significant amount of work to prepare for the meetings. Member come to the to the meetings with different views but are
able to work through difficult projects. The first time I served on the CHC in the early 1990’s Dan Krieger was on the committee and
he is a historian that also always has allot to share. I also know that working and especially volunteering for public service can be
challenging. James may be viewed as difficult at times but he has knowledge that is positive for the CHC, he is invested in our city and
I believe wants to be part of solutions. Everyone on the CHC has to step up and be part of the deliberation when projects come before
them. Additionally his peers have made him Chair more than once and they all had the ability to request to be Chair if they wished. He
is an asset to the CHC and I hope the City Council will see this when they evaluate his important positions. The Advisory Boards are
important to SLO and give citizens the opportunity to be proactive and involved in so many aspects of our community. Thank you for
your time.
Victoria Wood
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