In response to the Dec. 6 letter to the editor (“City manager description was written to justify hiring O’Neil”), I was saddened and then angered to read of the personal attack on Susanna O’Neil. It appears obvious to me that either Ms. Mentch does not know Ms. O’Neil or she has a personal grudge against her.
Ms. O’Neil is a professional and dedicated city employee who has devoted her career to the well-being of the residents of Cleveland Heights. It is true that Ms. O’Neil has been a long time employee of the city. She knows the history of the city and it is clear that she truly loves the city and its’ residents.
If you would look at her record you would see that she has been supportive of all the residents of the city, without exception. This includes all the youth of the city and all of the ethnic residents who live here. It is unfortunate that Ms. Mentch had to resort to the racial component by accusing Ms. O’Neil of not supporting African-American children.
To accuse the city council of tailoring the job description for Ms. O’Neil shows how little regard she holds our very competent city council which, most importantly, has been elected by our residents.
How many CEOs or directors of businesses have succeeded without the “degree?“ And yes there are many executives who earn far above the salary of $130,000. Without the benefit of a degree.
I would expect the city council to hire someone who not only lives in this city, but who knows it’s history and cares about every resident in this great city. Whomever the Council decides to hire as the future city manager, I, for one, would hope to see that he/she has the knowledge, compassion, professionalism and love of the city and it’s residents as does Susanna O’Neil.
Rabbi Sruly Wolf
Cleveland Heights