HUNTINGTON BEACH : City Supervision of Lifeguards Due Study

A former city lifeguard’s charge that there is mismanagement and irregularities in the city Community Services Department is prompting an administrative investigation.

City Administrator Michael T. Uberuaga announced Monday night that officials will investigate charges that the marine safety arm of Community Services Department, which supervises lifeguards, is in disarray.

Uberuaga announced the action after Robert Thomas, a city lifeguard for 11 years before being terminated last February, told the City Council that lifeguard supervision in Huntington Beach is inadequate. Thomas accused officials of the Community Services Department of “negligence” in administering lifeguards.

Thomas, 31, said the promotion of one “unqualified” individual to lifeguard management had caused severe morale problems among other lifeguards. Thomas also charged that there have been some ethical irregularities within lifeguard management.

In an interview Tuesday, Thomas said he appeared before the City Council because public safety is in jeopardy as long as there is “a big morale problem among lifeguards.” He acknowledged that he was terminated from his job but charged that he was fired because of internal politics.

Thomas made his charges during the public comments portion of the City Council’s regular meeting Monday night.

Residents frequently complain about some aspect of city government during public comments, but Thomas’ accusations are the first time in recent years that serious charges have been made against the city’s lifeguard management.

No one in city government spoke in rebuttal to the charges Monday night. Uberuaga, in a brief response, told the City Council that he will investigate the charges and give the City Council a written response.