Mayor refutes allegations made by task force

With reference to the article published in the July 27, 2007, edition of the Simi Valley Acorn titled "Landfill agreement called into question," I offer the following comments.

It is truly unfortunate that I feel a need to write this in order to clarify the public record regarding certain recent "conspiracy" allegations against the members of our City Council.

Our City Council members have a long and fruitful record of accomplishment through a collegial working relationship, which has helped us achieve many goals on behalf of the residents of our community.

While we do not always unanimously agree on issues, we have always been able to work out our differences in a public forum.

It is thus with much concern that I have recently seen one of our members, Barbra Williamson, split off from the rest and form her own committee, independent of the City Council and the city, to evaluate a proposal- a proposal incomplete as to this date- by Waste Management for a landfill expansion.

The City Council has already directed that this proposal to the county be followed and fully reviewed by our neighborhood councils, city staff and possibly others, prior to coming before the full City Council for an objective public meeting wherein the City Council can take an informed position on behalf of the residents of this city.

After evaluating all of the benefits and costs of the final proposal to our community, the City Council will take a position either for or against any landfill expansion plans.

This new committee, created by Ms. Williamson with the stated goal of objectively reviewing the landfill expansion proposal, was formed with some individuals who have already publicly stated their opposition to any landfill expansion.

It has already begun an accusatory approach questioning the ethics of Waste Management officials and accusing the City Council of being involved in some type of "conspiracy" to approve this as-yet incomplete proposal.

As a former chief of police and now elected official of this city who has spent a career building credibility and a highly ethical record of public service, I deeply resent a member of Ms. Williamson's committee implying that I, along with three of my colleagues who have also proven themselves to have always been above ethical reproach, are part of a "conspiracy."

The point to be made here is that any City Council decisions regarding Waste Management contracts in the past were approved unanimously, including the support of Councilmember Williamson!

While it is tempting to counter the various individual inaccuracies and out-of-context statements used in an effort to distort the truth, I have decided that it is best to stay out of this dialogue as it would give credibility to that which is not credible.

The objective facts will be made public by the media throughout a deliberative process, and the end result will be a decision based upon objectivity and the best interests of the residents of our community, not by false accusations of a handpicked political committee.

Your City Council has a proven public record of decisions that are always objectively made with the best interests of the citizens of this community foremost in our minds.

For any individual council member or a politically motivated group to allege otherwise is disingenuous at best. Paul Miller Mayor of Simi Valley