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My husband is Paul Hughes. As so many members of our community have affirmed to me since his unnecessary and abrupt termination Tuesday, Paul is a man of integrity, ethics, honesty, kindness, industriousness and humor. Perhaps the five members of City Council who decided it was better for the community not to permit Paul to retire quietly, as he announced last month, should take a lesson. The comments I have heard from everyone regarding their treatment of Paul include such adjectives as "shameful," "disgusting," "deplorable," "indecent" and "appalling."

My thoughts are that "The Five" went beyond all common human decency in their treatment of my husband. They should be ashamed.

Let's look at the reported "reasons" for firing Paul, first noting that there was no real "reason" to do so because he was not removed "for cause," meaning he had done nothing whatsoever to prompt his removal. Ah, politics.

One "reason" given is that City Council has communication problems with staff, City Council has communication problems with the city manager and City Council has communication problems with the community. There is one common factor threaded in this reason, and it is not the city manager.

Another "reason" is that those who are moving on should move on and those who are staying should stay. Well, that is exactly what Paul was trying to do in an orderly manner for the benefit of the city.

Another "reason" is that the council did not want Paul to inject himself into the selection process for the new city manager. Paul had no intention of doing so. Why should he? Besides, it is the City Council that will determine whom the next city manager will be, not Paul. What were they afraid of?

Paul, our son and I love our Steamboat Springs community. I am saddened and angry that "The Five" cast all decency to the wind, abused their political authority simply because they could and left a good, decent man in the lurch. As a member of this community, I am embarrassed. Support Paul or not, he has served this city with enthusiasm, decency and honesty for 7 1/2 years. He deserved better from the leaders of our community.

I hope "The Five" are comfortable looking at themselves in the mirror. Come their election dates, I hope this community reflects on the shameful event of this week.

Shelley A. Hill

Steamboat Springs