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During my tenure as Steamboat Springs City Council president, I participated in the termination of a city manager (who had served the city for approximately seven years) and the subsequent hiring of a replacement city manager. This is a very normal and periodic process. Typically, city managers average about a five-year employment period with a community.

The recent termination of Steamboat Springs' City Manager Paul Hughes is not the outrageous event that the Steamboat Pilot & Today has made it appear. It is important to remember that Hughes announced his retirement one day after the November election and before the new City Council was seated. Hughes and the out going City Council agreed that he would continue to serve at the City Council's pleasure until the Council thought his services were no longer needed. He was not fired, nor to my knowledge was his resignation asked for.

At the Dec. 13 public hearing, a bipartisan majority (5-2) of the new City Council concluded Hughes' services were no longer needed. The City Council followed all the proper, legal procedures in making their decision. During the public hearing, they adjourned to a private, closed executive session to discuss legal matters (presumably relating to the city manager, as allowed under Colorado law). Concluding their executive session (where discussion but no actions may take place), they returned to the public hearing to debate and took action in an open forum. As uncomfortable as this may seem, it's the way it has to be done.

Our newly elected City Council made a considered management decision that Mr. Hughes' services were no longer needed and to start the new year in a new direction. Mr. Hughes is a skilled and talented professional who has served our community faithfully. Upon leaving city employment, he will receive a benefit package exceeding $80,000. We should all be so fortunate. We wish him well in his retirement.

One of the remarkable observations I witnessed when my council changed city managers was how seamlessly the city continued to function during this transition. This was attributable to our loyal, skilled staff and department heads. I am confident that same dedication will serve us well this time.

The Steamboat Pilot & Today needs to recognize its biased journalism is only fueling the political divide in our community. What does this accomplish? In the recent City Council election, voters selected candidates with a new vision for our city. We live in a city rich with diverse viewpoints. We should welcome that diversity and accept change. The newly seated City Council should be afforded the opportunity to establish its own identity and to govern with a new vision that unites our community for the future.

Bill Martin
Steamboat Springs