Atherton: Ex-official seeks $1 million from town

During the last two years, former Finance Director John Johns has gone to the press four times to critize other Atherton staff members; starting with Building Official Mike Hood (ret.), Chief Bob Brennan (ret.), City Manager Jim Robinson (ret.), and former Assistant to the City Manager and Interim City Manager Wende Protzman (now Assistant City Manager of Solana Beach).

Now City Attorney Marc Hynes‘ actions are being criticized.

As with the above members of staff, my opinion is that Marc Hynes acted appropriately, and the criticism is unwarranted. There was no “malicious prosecution.”

John Johns used town equipment for his outside consulting work, and was repeatedly asked to correct his time card and take vacation or sick time for days not in the Atherton Town Hall.

The District Attorney thought it appropriate to investigate these actions and Marc Hynes represented Atherton well during the investigation.

Charles Marsala
Council Member

I hear the former Finance Director has issued a public records request for Charles Marsala's personal e-mail account.

Apparently Charles thought he could avoid the California Public Records Act by using his personal e-mail account for Town business

If I were Charles I wouldn't try and pull a Frank Quatrone and "tidy up his mailbox" after all. There's a new majority on the Council and he may no longer have as many friends in town as he once did.

Who knows who might be monitoring his Yahoo account at the moment. (Can you spell REACT Task Force?)