Letter to the Publisher,

On Nov.17, 2009, City Manager David Jinkens struck out. Here are the three strikes.

One: The City Council by a 4-0 vote rejected the CM’s request to send the finance officer to a conference at a cost of over $700. Mainly because the CM had violated policy. He approved the trip, paying for it, before it received approval from the council. That’s upside down.

Two: By a vote of a 2-2 tie, the CM cannot hire outside professional services which, had it passed, meant the CM could at $30,000 a pop hire without seeking council approval.

Three: The CM recommended using street paving CIP money to back fill for any short falls in money coming form the CTC for drainage projects. The council voted to use reserve funds. The vote was 4-0.

By striking out the CM should resign. That’s especially true when the Johnny Poland case is thrown into the mix.

Also, I believe the CM did not bargain with the police and fire employees in good faith. For instance, fire was willing to forego a 2% wage increase for a year, which is in the current contract. The CM never shared that with the council. He stacks it the way he wants it. He doesn’t keep good faith with the council. That is way over the line. He should go before he is able to continue striking out. The CM has become a loser.

By the way, the city has a $40 million reserve. What’s it for?

Bill Crawford, South Lake Tahoe City Council member