HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/7/2020 Item 08, Horgan
From:Mike Horgan <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Re: CONSIDERATION OF REMOVAL OF ADVISORY BODY MEMBER
Dear City Council,
This is a letter in support of the removal of James Papp from the Cultural Heritage Committee. To be very clear, this is
not a denouncing of Mr. Papp’s understanding of his field or his presumptive expertise which is admirably acquired only
through personal diligence. Mr. Papp’s knowledge presents as superior to most others; he produces reports of fantastic
length and verbiage; and lastly, it would be difficult to find another person with a similar level of familiarity of his
particular field within the community.
Given that, the job of an expert on an advisory committee is to advise with impartial, unbiased evidence and knowledge
so that those to whom they are advising may make sound decisions. The expert’s role is not to demean other’s
inexpertness; ignore factual evidence in lieu of biased personal opinion; strong-arm other advisory board members into
making or supporting partisan motions; or attempt to aggressively coerce community members into making decisions
supporting the expert’s own personal motive or ego.
Mr. Papp is undoubtedly knowledgable with a presumptive expertise in his field, yet he has repeatedly employed all of
the aforementioned tactics during the course of his work as chairperson of an advisory committee.
While knowledge is admirable and respectable, etiquette and ethics are equally essential.
Michael Horgan
Michael S. Horgan, CSLB #1039516
PHI Certified Passivehaus Consultant
San Luis Obispo, CA 805-874-2424
www.horgandesignbuild.com
www.cairncollab.com
www.passivehousecal.org
1