Poor choice of action on Portola Valley's part. The fact that Mr. Pegueros' parting was "involuntary resignation" creates speculation much like Mr. Schwartz's exit from Hillsborough. Why be so secretive?

Abrupt departure without reason should be a cause for concern. That's not to say a person can't change and should never be employed again. However, MP seemed awfully quick to create a position for Mr. Pergueros even with all the staff changes.

The main reason I care why Mr. Pergueros was "involuntarily terminated" is that the Town Council chose to give him a generous severance package. Why did the Town Council spend public funds in this way? We will never know because they weren't paying attention when they signed his employment contract and now they can't tell us anything. The Town Council should always function with full transparency when it comes to spending public funds. They let us down.

The performance of public servants, good or bad, must be a matter opf public record. Failures or misdeeds must be public, for many reasons,including not saddling the next employer of that person with someone who has a background that should have been disclosed. References need to be honest and not hide pertinent facts, or the whole process of background checks will become useless.
Passing a bad employee from job to job to preserve his qualifications is dishonest and is cheating the taxpayers.

And the main reason I care why Mr. Pegueros was "involuntarily terminated" is that Menlo Park has now hired him. Why did Alex McIntyre choose to hire someone with this issue? The Town Council should always function with full transparency when it comes to spending public funds -- please look into this hiring! (Credits to PV Local.)

did the city of Menlo park also allow for the same contract provision when hiring Mr Pegueros????

Mr. Pegueros was hired by Mr. McIntyre without any input from staff - none.

Well, that could explain why HR Director Gina Donnelly fled her position with the City of Menlo Park so abruptly. You'd think Alex would have at least run Mr. Pergueros controversial hiring and contract by HR - and the City attorney. Mayor Carlton, care to comment? Do you still believe that Alex's strong suit is hiring good staff? Too bad the Council didn't listen to Ray Mueller and just replace ONE City Manager when they had the chance. What a fiasco.

Can someone tell the old hacks of Menlo Park to move out of our city and go dump on your next community? Same five old fogies bashing MP and one council member stoking the flames. Same story for 30 years!

Interested: what are you talking about? I am sincerely interested.

Why are senior city management staff leaving by droves under the leadership of Alex McIntyre?

"Why are senior city management staff leaving by droves under the leadership of Alex McIntyre?"

Because they're not competent and it's becoming obvious? Just a thought.

Interested:

There are many retired residents living in Menlo Park. It is awful you find the need to use the term "old fogies" and "hacks" to describe them. It is equally awful you would choose to demean the comments of others by attaching their comments to "old fogies", in an attempt to both disparage those who are elderly, the commenter, and the comments. I don't know which Councilmember you are accusing of stoking the flames regarding criticism surrounding the recent staff departures at City Hall and the hiring of Mr. Pegueros, as none have been quoted by the Almanac in any of the articles on these subjects. In the good old days, students were instructed in debate to stick to the substantive issues rather than calling names. Perhaps you ought to learn a thing or two from that wisdom do the same.

so will the City Manager divulge why he was forced to resign before a PV employee in the know contacts the Almanac with the embarrassing info?

Got transparency?
Or going with deceit and cover up?