2 More Quit Recreation Commission

Two former parks and recreation commissioners formally turned in their letters of resignation to the Oxnard City Council on Tuesday, saying their input was virtually ignored by city staff and the council.

“It has become evident that the City Council of Oxnard and the city manager don’t take the Parks and Recreation Commission’s actions, input and requests seriously and ignore their contributions,” Doris Lance said in her letter to the mayor.

Donato Ventura said he was very disappointed with what he saw as a lack of cooperation from the city.

“It has become apparent to me that the City Council and staff are not interested in listening to advisory groups or citizens at large,” Ventura stated in his letter.

City Manager Tom Frutchey and recreation supervisor Karen Burnham had not seen the letters and declined comment.

In addition to Ventura and Lance, Dick McCarthy quit the commission one week ago, citing the same problems.

“There is a totally different managerial style within the city government,” McCarthy said in his letter of resignation. “And it appears to be normal for staff and City Council to bypass the commission on many issues of great importance to the citizens of Oxnard.”