Reply to former mayor

Published in Scottsdale Republic 2008-5-1

Refreshing Mozillo's memory

Ralph Mozillo states there are hidden agendas for removal of Cave Creek Town Manager Usama Abujbarah ("Manager in bull's-eye," April 23 Your Views).

The Neary tank land purchase was brought about by decisions made by the town manager last fall. Perhaps Mozillo has forgotten this information was first presented by me to the Water Advisory Board (that he chairs) in February rather than being presented by any town staff. One wonders why it took from October to February for this information to be presented to Town Council and WAB members.

Perhaps Mozillo has forgotten that this small mistake by town staff is an unbudgeted expense of $1.2 million in the current fiscal year. Perhaps Mozillo has forgotten the financial presentations in both the WAB and Town Council meetings where it was announced that in the next five years, Cave Creek is expected to be close to not having enough money to meet expenditures.

Perhaps Mozillo has forgotten that town citizens authorized expenditures of $50 million, but Cave Creek has already spent $68 million, with another $40 million expected in the next five years.

Maybe he does remember. Maybe the ends do justify the means in Cave Creek.
Maybe they shouldn't.

— Charles Spitzer, Cave Creek