LOWERY: Wrong in assailing Chatwin

I have watched with interest as Councilwoman Nancy Lowery has worked to destroy the reputation of Stefan Chatwin, city manager of Hayden. I don't know Councilwoman Lowery but I do know Mr. Chatwin. And if you listen to her, you will get a devastatingly wrong picture of the man.

She has accused him of financial impropriety. But the independent auditors who check every item of city finances didn't find any problems.

She sent all her "evidence" to The Press so they could expose his wrongdoing. But The Press couldn't find anything wrong and wrote an editorial in his support.

She has accused him of taking city paid trips with his wife. But his wife was at work on the days they were supposed to be frolicking at taxpayer expense.

Either she knows that his expenses and activities were in compliance with his contract and city policy and she doesn't care about the facts at all (my personal belief) or she is hopelessly ignorant and has no idea what she is talking about.

Councilwoman Lowery apparently has a personal issue with Mr. Chatwin and is working to destroy his reputation. She knows it will hurt him financially and career wise. She knows it hurts his family. But that's OK with her, I guess.

I don't know her but I know people who know both her and Mr. Chatwin. Nobody I know has any problem deciding who they believe and trust in this dispute. Nasty politics isn't limited to higher levels. Councilwoman Lowery should be ashamed - but isn't.

MIKE WOOD

Hayden