A week ago, City News reported that California City had selected a new city manager — its sixth in just over a year. But no sooner had Patrick Marsh been named to the post, than contract negotiations fell apart. Marsh is now out.
This has to be a stressful situation for California City. A grand jury report released just this month blasted the city for dysfunction and a lack of transparency. One of the problems it cited was the constant turnover in management, which seems to have gone into overdrive.
Human Resources Director Latisha Lamberth has been named acting city manager for the time being. She succeeds Martín Piñon, who replaced interim city manager Michele Martinez. Martinez was on the job for just 10 weeks before she resigned. Previous acting or permanent city managers include Joe Barragan, Inges Elmes, Jim Hart, and Doug Dunford.
Godspeed, Ms. Lamberth.