Former mayor letter to the editor

Published in Scottsdale Republic 2008-4-22

Manager in bull's-eye

It appears a hidden agenda is afoot to get rid of the Cave Creek town manager as Scottsdale did with Jan Dolan. Having read critical letters from Charles Spitzer and Terry Zerkel and then Councilwoman Grace Meeth's accusations (“Town manager's end-around play was bad move,” April 16 My Turn), it appears there is a serious move to undo the hard work and great reputation of Usama Abujbarah, Cave Creek's longest-tenured town manager.

At a council meeting last month, Meeth in essence called the town manager and his staff liars regarding the installation of the water tank on Hidden Valley Drive.

I am also aware that a non-resident of the town has been sending e-mails to instigate more animosity toward Abujbarah. An ex-mayor of the town is spreading false rumors about the town's finances.

I chaired the committee that did a national search in 2000 for a new town manager and was on the Town Council that selected Abujbarah as town manager. Until his tenure began, we had massive turnover of personnel and a poorly run town staff. He has brought Cave Creek into the 21st century as it relates to technology, methodology and financial integrity.

— Ralph Mozilo, Cave Creek