Whistle-blower not a bad guy

* EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in an occasional Forum feature in which the Daily Pilot gives critics of the paper an opportunity to sound off about the paper.

In its articles and editorials on the Costa Mesa City Council’s discretionary funds donations, the Daily Pilot has managed to leave a negative impression on readers about council policy -- even though it was abundantly clear that there was a gaping loophole in council policy on this subject. Somehow the whistle-blower, Mayor Pro Tem Eric Bever, has been cast as the bad guy, sort of a shoot-the-messenger scenario.

If council members have access to public funds, guidelines should certainly be in place or someone will push the envelope and donate something to a relative -- or a favorite charity -- sure-as-shootin’!

So, guess what? The favorite charity is now calling the messenger a bad guy. The charity spokesman claims that a $250 check from the city will be returned. We aren’t really sure what the money was earmarked for, as one report says that it was to go for a new lawnmower and another states that it was to go for scholarships for athletes.

Confused? Me too.

The charity spokesman stated: “I think it pretty much is the tone of certain members of the council whose view is that it’s the council’s job is to do as little as possible for the city.”

Huh? Did I miss a few paragraphs of logical commentary? By the way, no one has requested that this donation be returned.

I wonder what others -- charities or otherwise -- would do if they received an anonymous check from the city. Would they have no interest in why someone from our city had donated these funds? Perhaps from a friend, maybe an associate, some kind of quid pro quo? Call me crazy, but I would have some curiosity as to where and why this money was donated, but that’s just how I am. Just a check from the city of Costa Mesa? Hmmm. Where do I sign up for some of those anonymous donations to my favorite charity?

This is exactly what Americans elect public servants to do: To be vigilant of citizens’ trust and to be fiscally responsible. We should thank Bever for his diligence.

* CHRISTIAN ERIC is a Costa Mesa resident.