Courtesy: HTTV, Channel 21

(October 2, 2002) -- Concluding his final LB City Council meeting with a candid revelation about his 1998 hiring, City Manager Henry Taboada heard praises from elected officials, coworkers and friends, and delivered a piece of his mind, in farewell remarks at the October 1 Council meeting. We note some salient presentations and provide excerpts below.

The presentations -- which took place in full view of the Council that voted on Sept. 4 to dismiss him (effective October 4) in a closed session by a publicly portrayed 9-0 vote -- included explicit public praises from Councilmembers Carroll, Webb, Colonna, Reyes-Uranga and Kell. (Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal was absent for the entire meeting.)

Breaking from his usual practice of speaking extemporaneously, Mr. Taboada spoke from a prepared text and -- in a plain spoken, candid revelation -- disclosed that he had been hired on a 6-3 vote, not the 9-0 vote publicly portrayed. "I was hired on a 6-3 vote, although it was made officially a unanimous choice. I both suffered and endured the burden of a divided Council before I began my first day in office," Mr. Taboada said.

Courtesy: HTTV, Channel 21

He urged the Council to hire the next City Manager unanimously, not on a split vote, noting, "When you hire your next City Manager, please keep in mind that you're not hiring an employee. You're running a chief executive to run the corporation."

Comparing differences in his tenure to that of his predecessor Jim Hankla, Mr. Taboada said, "I attribute the current state of affairs as directly linked to term limits, parochial district politics, a leadership vacuum in our community and an unresponsive electorate. We've gotten what we deserve when we elect officials with the smallest of vote counts, what I describe as a lack of mandate to guide them in their decision making."

Earlier in the evening, Mr. Taboada received presentations. These included a legislative resolution from Assemblymembers Jenny Oropeza, Alan Lowenthal and State Senator Betty Karnette:

Assemblywoman Oropeza presented the resolution, saying "I believe that Mr. Taboada has always been working in the best interest of the city...He always had the city's best interest in mind...When he and I disagreed, it was with respect, and I believe he always conducted, and will continue to conduct himself, with great dignity as a manager and as a human being."

Courtesy: HTTV, Channel 21

The legislative resolution reads in part [following numerous Whereas clauses] : "...Be it Resolved by Assemblymembers Jenny Oropeza and Alan Lowenthal and Senator Betty Karnette that Henry Taboada be commended on his exemplary record of service to the people of the State of California and extend sincere best wishes for continued success in his future endeavors." Assemblywoman Oropeza also brought a Certificate of Recognition from Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson.

The Mayor indicated having received Acknowledgement letters from Cong. Steve Horn, and also from Governor Gray Davis.

Presentations were received from Betty Davenport, member of Women's Congressional Council on behalf of Cong. Juanita Millender-McDonald, the Office of Supervisor Don Knabe (via LB aide Matt Knabe) and others including:

LB Harbor Commissioner Carmen Perez: "I'm here today as Henry Taboada's friend...I salute him for the many, many years of commitment to this city and to the public and to thank him for his many years of mentoring and support of many of us here in the Hispanic community..."

Courtesy: HTTV, Channel 21

Public Corporation for the Arts Board Chair Lucy Daggett presented a proclamation ("the Public Corporation of the Arts does hereby proclaim Henry Taboada a Friend to the Arts and encourages all citizens to join in saluting this achievement") and sang a song to Mr. Taboada to the tune of "Swanee River." Click here to hear: Finale of PCA Bd. Chair Daggett's Song To Mr. Taboada (479 kB) [Courtesy HTTV, channel 21]

.

Presentations were also received from the Museum of Latin American Art and Christine Rodriguez Lara from Centro CHA [Community Hispanic Ass'n], LB Firefighters Union president Bill Ardizzone, Fire Chief Terry Harbour, a Letter of Recognition from LB Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and from State Senator Ed Vincent.

4th district Councilman Dennis Carroll narrated a power point style video presentation chronicling Mr. Taboada's life and city career.

Courtesy: HTTV, Channel 21

.

Mayor O'Neill presented a Proclamation to City Manager Taboada for his many years of dedicated service.

Councilman Webb spoke, saying in part, "From time to time over the years we may have disagreed on issues within this city, but I have never doubted your sincere dedication and love for the city and want to wish you well and Godspeed..."

Vice Mayor Colonna said in part, "They don't make 'em any better. You are going to be missed...I know that this is just one brief moment but there's a lot more good things to come..."

Councilwoman Reyes-Uranga: "I'm telling you that he is a man of great kindness and of great love and I know that everyone in this audience feels that love for you, too..."

Councilwoman Jackie Kell: "I'm sure you're going to be asked to be a consultant all over the place and I wish you well and I will also miss you."