Following the departure of several key officials and employees, including the head of the city’s beloved Tiny Tots program, residents in April turned up again at the City Council meeting to express their displeasure at the current management of personnel inside City Hall.
At last month’s La Palma Council meeting, many parents appeared to express displeasure with the city management’s handling of the personnel at its Tiny Tots daycare program.
Many of them were back at the April meeting, including Misty Torres, who served as the manager of the Tiny Tots program until being summarily dismissal by city officials in a move that parents thought to be undignified, at best.
In addition, some expressed concern about the lack of concern displayed by former City Manager Conal McNamara during a meeting with concerned parents.
“But I am not going to lie, I’m very disappointed and upset right now,” said Chris Louie to the Council, “because of this Tiny Tots program. We have all of these parents who are very emotional and connected to this situation, and I feel like it’s a smoke and mirrors game with the City Council.”
“We had a meeting with Mr. Conal, our city manager, discussing the parents, you know, gripes and complaints about what’s going on, the unfair, unsafe practices,” he said.
“He (Conal) is texting during a heartfelt conversation,” said Louie. “The transparency is off. It’s very disappointing and very embarrassing,” he said.
The former City Manager has since accepted a position as City Manager in Whittier as ENE formerly reported.
Chloe Janioan, another parent who has become active in the fight to fix the Tiny Tots program, said “it’s time to stand up for what is right.”
Janioan, a La Palma resident, said the issues with the city run deeper than the daycare center. Like other residents, she approached the city and publicly spoke out in March against the workplace environment and general safety concerns of the Tiny Tots program.”
“But I am not going to lie, I’m very disappointed and upset right now because of this Tiny Tots program,” she said. “We have all of these parents who are very emotional and connected to this,” said Janioan.
“My grandma has lived here since 1967,” said Maxine Espelin, “back in the dairyland days,” she said. Dairyland is the former name of La Palma during its initial organization seven decades ago.
“I’m also speaking on behalf of many families La Palma residents who cannot be here this evening,” said Espelin. “At previous meetings with city officials, I was asked if I had any concerns with the city outside of the Tiny Tots program,” she said.
“And my response at the time was no, but I must admit, that was dishonest. I had concerns,” she said. Espelin suggested there was no reasonable excuse for the city not to livestream its meetings.
She said that in this technological age, “why the city can’t live stream town halls at all, to little to no cost is beyond me,” said Espelin.
“Like other cities that already do (livestream meetings), citing the city budget as a reason not to stream town halls is also comical, especially when things like welcoming lawsuits, which city manager has done boldly, is far more costly,” she said.
“Citing budget constraints seems to be the city council’s go-to excuse,” Espelin said.
“If you truly cared about input from your constituents, you would allow more time for discussion and livestream meetings to make them more accessible.”
Jasmine Ng, a professor, said early learning for kids is critical for children.
“My daughter goes to a preschool in the Centralia school district right now, and it’s because she needs speech therapy and hearing therapy, and that’s only available for free at state preschool, so that’s why she’s not in Tiny Tots.”
“But if she didn’t need those services, I would totally put her in Tiny Tots, so I am stressing the importance of the Tiny Tots program as it is designed by Misty Torres, because it has not only prepared the children for what’s coming, but it has prepared us parents who have no idea what we’re doing, especially first-time parents,” she said.
Jocelyn Padilla, a former employee at the city, said she experienced what she termed a “wrongful termination.” Padilla said “no one should have to face this kind of mistreatment from the city, especially after dedicating so much time and effort.”
Many of the parents who have attended these meetings have complained Misty Torres, the former manager of the program, also experienced a disgraceful exit from the city, from the same staff members.
“I’m asking for the La Palma Council to investigate these wrongful terminations and false claims to ensure employees are being treated fairly and with respect,” said Padilla.
Misty Torres, the manager of the program dismissed by city hall, attended the meeting and made a tearful statement to ensure the continuity of the city’s Tiny Tots program.
“I’m here today because I have many parents who have spoken up for me, and now it’s time for me to speak up for myself to prevent this from happening again,” said Torres.
“I love the children and the parents in my classroom, and I poured my heart and soul into this program to improve it. My job wasn’t just about the money; it was my passion. I cherish the opportunity to see my kids grow and learn, as you can see behind me, I worked hard to bring this community together,” she said.
“As a city employee, don’t you want that dedication from your staff? Throughout my time, I have never had a single complaint from a parent. Many parents emailed the city manager and my directors to express their support and love,” said Torres, “and when I asked for help, the assistance I received ended up making the situation worse for me and other employees. I didn’t ask for much,” Torres told the Council.
“I wanted to be treated respectfully. I stand here today with many community members urging the city to do the right thing for the residents and employees,” said Torres.
“Due to the choices that were made, I no longer work for the city of La Palma. I truly miss my class, my students and their parents. Please don’t let another good employee slip away,” the former Tiny Tots manager urged the Council.
With McNamara gone, it will likely become an immediate priority of interim city manager Michael Egan to find a way to reconstitute the city’s beloved Tiny Tots program,