Missing the days we had a city manager

“Homicides at parks in San Diego spark debate over public safety” (May 8): The unusually pointed and public exchange between the police union spokesman and council members leaves me longing for the city manager.

From 1931 to 2006, the city manager served as a mediator and heat shield between elected officials and city staff. The manager would hear the angst of council and discontent from city staff in frank, but rarely public, discussions. Issues were heard and resolved. Elected officials were not interacting with staff and staff had an opportunity to be heard.

The manager also absorbed some of the public heat from unpopular council decisions and sorted out requests/demands from unions and staff to convey to council. That medium of mediation has been lost in the so-called strong mayor system. We miss the city manager.

Joe Flynn College Area