“Mean Spirited”

July 14, 2005

Dear Editor,

The July 10 letter to the editor from Nancy Cook Smith was a mean-spirited and unwarranted attack on Julie Rusk, the city's Human Services Manager. ("LETTERS: Another Disappearing Act," July 10, 2005)

During the 17 years she has worked for the city, Julie has developed an interdepartmental team of dedicated employees who strive daily to address the impacts of homelessness in our community. They do so with little support from the region in the face of eroding "safety nets" that keep people from sliding into homelessness.

I'm particularly surprised at the tone of Ms. Cook's letter as I know her to be a caring mother who understands the needs of families. I granted Julie's request for a family-related, unpaid leave so that she could participate in a year-long international educational experience with her young family.

The City of Santa Monica has long been committed to providing a balance to those staff juggling work and family responsibilities. Julie's temporary departure has nothing to do with the always dynamic city work environment and was approved with full confidence that the interdepartmental team working on homeless issues will ably carry on.

Susan E. McCarthy
City Manager