Wrong Script, Ed Masry

No matter how many Academy Awards “Erin Brockovich” collects tonight, we urge the real-life Ed Masry, in his slightly less glamorous role as Thousand Oaks City Council member--to leave the theatrics to Hollywood.

The hit movie based on the story of Brockovich, a persistent investigator at Masry’s law firm who helped win a $333-million settlement, is nominated for five Oscars including one for Albert Finney’s portrayal of Masry.

But the sort of dramatics that might win major awards on the big screen--or even in a courtroom--can come off as divisive, rude, even cruel in the City Council chamber.

We have no problem with Masry’s sharp questioning of issues that come before the council. Voters elected him in part because of his reputation as a veteran attorney who is presumably comfortable digging through complex legal documents to root out both significance and loopholes. Given his expertise it is predictable that he would be critical of the city attorney.

But Masry’s disparaging remarks about City Atty. Mark Sellers and, to a lesser degree, City Manager MaryJane Lazz are inappropriate.

Masry has asked his colleagues to consider firing either Sellers or Lazz and has requested a closed-session hearing for that purpose. Both Lazz, who has been with the city for 21 years, and Sellers, who has been city attorney for 18 years, were evaluated in November and given sizable merit raises.

Masry declined to say which of the two he wants to terminate, although the targeted employee must be notified 24 hours in advance of Tuesday’s meeting and can request that the discussion be in a public forum.

Whomever it is, we encourage them to request that the hearing take place in public. Masry’s views, the perceptions of the four other council members and the response of whichever city employee Masry seeks to oust should be fully and openly aired.

But both the employees and the residents of Thousand Oaks deserve better than name-calling and showboating.