When asked to figure out how to save the taxpayers of the Town of Atherton money, by investigating financial controls in the police department (which commands more than half the total budget), Johns decided to actually do his job.
It would have been much easier to laugh about it with Bob Brennan and Glenn Nielsen, and draft a phony report like Pete Peterson did to cover up in a "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" mentality that rules in most municipal governments in bankrupt California.
But Mr. Johns decided to actually do what Jerry Carlson asked him to do: audit the police department. Days later, he was fired for creating a "hostile work environment."
That type of hard-nosed auditing for wasted money is exactly the "hostility" the Town of Atherton needs.
Of course, Jerry Carlson, the prince of a man he is, quickly turned his back on Johns based on pressure by the police department.
John won his long-standing battle for the back-pay he was entitled to and a letter of commendation. But since he actually cares about the Town of Atherton, he wanted correction for the illegal bullying he suffered at the hands of the police department.
The letter he received a few days ago, telling him in effect that he made up whatever he says happened to him, is probably the best reason we need John as City Manager.
It's time to clean up this town.
"If only there were public servants with the courage, skill and stamina that Mr. Johns has."
