City, residents divided over Conlosh’s claims

Torus Tammer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- Over the past month, the city has been divided by

allegations made in a letter by Councilman Chuck Conlosh, which appeared

in a flier belonging to the community watchdog group Concerned Citizens

of Fountain Valley.

Among the statements was that the city refused to investigate

wrongdoing by high-level city officials. These words have superseded

business as usual, so much so that last week’s City Council meeting ended

in a heated discussion aimed at resolving the truth behind the

allegations.

However, views as to the current state of affairs vary.

Council members say the unsubstantiated claims may be rooted in

preelection politics and misinformation. Concerned Citizens of Fountain

Valley members say their city representatives don’t listen, which

threatens their personal freedom.

Conlosh said he has been misrepresented and wants to get to the truth

behind the claims.

“I think when any person searches for the truth that it is always the

right thing to do,” he said. “If searching for the truth in city

government creates an interruption, then that’s a positive thing.”

Conlosh, who has not yet offered an explanation of the claims, added

that he has remained as accessible as possible to residents.

When business owner Shirley Andrews had some concerns, she took them

to Conlosh.

“I am not complaining about the other council members,” Andrews said.

“I’m just saying that his accessibility and offers of help were so

appreciated.”

In lieu of the allegations, the city is still operating at full

capacity and serving the people in the best way it can, Mayor Guy

Carrozzo said. He added that feathers do get ruffled from time to time in

government but that this time is different.

“There just seems to be a constant search to find something,” Carrozzo

said. “Sure, we’re all looking for the truth. . . . But that doesn’t mean

that there are conspiracies around every corner. You can’t just make

accusations and then not back them up.”

Council members John Collins, Larry Crandall and Laurann Cook suspect

that Conlosh’s actions relate to his reelection campaign and are

disappointed that he is yet to back his claims with proof, they said.”I

think Chuck is outside the bounds of reality as far as serving the

people,” Collins said. “He’s not serving anybody but himself.”

Crandall had even stronger words.

“It’s an election scheme to get his name in print and keep it out

there,” he said. “It is a distraction, it truly is.”

Conlosh maintains he is staying loyal to the goal -- to find the truth

behind the matters he has questioned and serve the people. He wants to

know why the council or city manager did not launch an investigation on

allegations of untruthfulness regarding one of the city’s department

heads at a council meeting May 2 .

Lourdes Peterson, a member of the Concerned Citizens of Fountain

Valley, said she was disturbed by the bickering and finger-pointing at

the end of last week’s council meeting, adding that the council is

supposed to protect the residents and watch over the city but that it

still seems unreachable regarding some questions.

“The devolvement code says that we are not allowed to park in our

driveways, and council members disagree, some saying we have outright

lied,” Peterson said. “I’m not sure if they are reading the same things

we were or just offended at what we are doing, but it’s in black and

white.”

Bob Moss, who has lived in the city for 37 years, called the

allegations of wrongdoing unclear.

“I was very disappointed watching the council meeting because Conlosh

kept dragging things out and didn’t want them settled,” Moss said, “which

makes me think there is not much there.”