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Back to Which Way, L.A.?

Which Way, L.A.?

Crisis PR in Costa Mesa

Last month, the Costa Mesa City Council sent pink slips to almost half its 450 municipal employees, prompting a four-year maintenance worker to jump to his death from the roof of City Hall. The entire fire department might be outsourced.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

Last month, the Costa Mesa City Council sent pink slips to almost half its 450 municipal employees, prompting a four-year maintenance worker to jump to his death from the roof of City Hall. The entire fire department might be outsourced. Responding to outrage, even from some self-identified conservative Republicans, city officials promised "the nation's most transparent government" — and then refused to answer reporters' questions. They wanted to ask how a city with a big hole in its budget could hire a new spokesman for $3000 a week. He is William Lobdell, veteran editor of the Daily Pilot.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Frances Anderton

    architecture critic and author

  • KCRW placeholder

    Andrea Brody

    Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

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    William Lobdell

    City of Costa Mesa

    News
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