An unspeakable tragedy in Fillmore has forced the city to rethink how its employees treat one another.
As we reported last month, the Fillmore community was recently stunned to learn of the sudden passing of fire chief, assistant city manager and acting public works director, Rigo Landeros. Even more shocking was the revelation shortly thereafter that he had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while parked in his city car on a rural stretch of Goodeough Road. He was just 51 years old.
In the wake of Landeros’ suicide, attention immediately turned to the possible effect that work conflicts may have had on his mental state. Just two days prior, Landeros had been aggressively questioned by a city council member about possible improprieties related to a nonprofit foundation he founded. No such improprieties existed, City Attorney Tiffany Israel later concluded.
Some have since blamed Landeros’ death on alleged “harassment” or “bullying” by at least two of the city’s council’s members. And on Tuesday, the dais finally took action, adopting a new code of conduct to regulate how city employees deal with their colleagues. Under the new guidelines "abusive conduct, personal charges, or verbal attacks upon the character or motives of the staff" are expressly prohibited. From now on, council members who have concerns about a city employee must also go through the city manager or top administrative employee, rather than confronting the employee directly.
Tuesday’s vote was 5-0 and followed impassioned statements by friends and colleagues of the beloved fire chief.
Read more about Tuesday’s vote here