In a private email to supporters, City Councilwoman Lisa Czelatdko criticizes Mayor Steve Bach for what she calls the “promotion, support, and abuse of authoritarian leadership.”
“As an elected official, I have seen how this has hurt the performance of the current sitting leadership,” Czelatdko said in the email, which was obtained by The Gazette from a source.
Czelatdko also criticizes some of her colleagues, though she doesn’t list them by name.
“Certain Council Members have shown complacency, inconsistency, stagnation, and selfishness. I apologize that we have not done a better job in serving you,” she wrote.
In an interview, Czelatdko expressed surprise that the email had been leaked. She said she sent the email to supporters who she personally identifies as leaders.
“To tell you the truth, with who I sent it to, I did not think for a second it would get to the press,” she said.
However, Czelatdko said she stood by what she wrote and knows that anything she sends on email can get out.
Czelatdko requested that the email be published in its entirety if it was published at all.
Request granted.
Here is the full, unedited text of the email:
With the upcoming City Council elections, please use your influence and money choosing leaders that are willing to work with others, teach others, and be committed to the common goal of improving the City and the region. Do not allow favoritism or familiarity to overshadow fairness and those wanting to serve with political integrity.
Steve bach did not attend events our State’s Governor came down for. He did Not attend the Southern Economic forum. He did Not attend the UCCS Lane academic center groundbreaking. He did Not attend the UCCS sequestration discussions. He did Not attend the State of the region discussions. He has cancelled regional mayor meetings. He does not attend Council or CSU meetings. Colorado Springs is seeing the promotion, support, and abuse of authoritarian leadership. As an elected official, I have seen how this has hurt the performance of the current sitting leadership.
Certain Council Members have shown complacency, inconsistency, stagnation, and selfishness. I apologize that we have not done a better job in serving you.
Despite the livability and low property taxes bringing people to Colorado Springs, the challenges for local government continue to grow. Its more important than ever to build coalitions among City, County, and State leadership, private businesses, and neighboring municipalities to come up with strategies to solve problems, get citizens involved, stopping the overlapping or duplication of services, and provide the best services to all citizens. Thats our job as your elected representatives.
Lastly, please remember that City Council is meant to be a deliberative Republic body. The people voted a Council Mayor form of government to have a separation and a limit of powers. What is being achieved is short term aims like benchmarking, outsourcing, and reducing waste. Long term, we are seeing the spoiling of collective partnerships, a division of leadership, groups and PACs exchanging support to dissuade, and citizens losing confidence in their elected officials.
Your support for Council is critical for change. Real, lasting, satisfying change. For the last 21 months, its been a privilege being your elected official, thank you very much.
Respectfully,
Lisa L. Czelatdko (sa-lot-ko)
Well, she’s right. Bach believes he was elected dictator, not mayor. His refusal to accept federal assistance during the Waldo Canyon fire is a grave example of his cowboy, “My way or the highway” attitude that just doesn’t work. He would be wise not to renege on his promise to not run for re-election.
She is right! He has not done the job he was hired to do. In this last month alone, we have lost the Pro Cycling Challenge and most Frontier flights. These are the things we’ve lost as our Mayor pushed for a panhandling ban that was clearly unconstitutional, among other things. The unemployment rate in Colorado Springs is bigger than surrounding Colorado Springs Cities. Where are the jobs, Mayor Bach? Touted as a businessman, but all I see is businesses leaving since he came in.
Is Lisa Czelatdko seeking re-election? In District 3, there are currently has three folks who have announced that they are running for city council – incumbent at-large councilwoman Brandy Williams, former El Paso County Commissioner Jim Bensberg, and former State Representative /State Senator/D-12 school board member Keith King.
I hope an English teacher does not read Lisa’s note! Can you say “Abuse of run on sentences …? Sure you can! I guess we get what we pay for on City Council!
grammer nazi… really. how about a comment about the content? I think lisa has matured during her term. i have no problem with any part of the letter. the mayor and his developer buddies need a vocal opponent. it sounds like lisa can fit the bill nicely! as far as pay, we do need to pay the council members more. do we really expect people to run for this low paying job that ends up with this kind of media harassment?
Lisa is correct in that far too often the common good of our city is second to political posturing. All groups must work together to create a community that is welcoming to everyone and building our economic diversity. Unfortunately, Mayor Bach continues to go against coalition building and is dismissive of groups that seek to address concerns within our community. As for council, a primary objective should be not only to care for the economic and safety factors of our community but to ensure clean air and water along with protecting our beautiful lands. Fracking in the city is not going to do this. Building on the far north and east edges of our county only further destroys our city due to not enough density to warrant the expansion. Far too often personal agendas and mandates destroy the very community elected officials are elected to support.
Baby Boomers are like the little kids in antique stores who are told to “pleae stop touching the dishes” but they cannot control themselves. They have to push buttons, turn knobs and handle everything. When you elect a baby boomer into office this is what you get.
Realize that YOU voted for a STRONG mayor system of government and you got what YOU asked for, Own it Colorado Springs!
Clinton, Bush, Obama… the Baby Boomer legacy of destruction.
RJF- Council pays a few thousand a year. Lisa C puts in the equivalent of 40 hrs a week for well less than minimum wage. I’m sorry to lose her voice and spirit when her current term ends.
OMV- The lack of ‘density’ is why I like living in the area to which you refer. I won’t interfere with your desire to live in tightly-packed urban locations. Please don’t interfere with my desire to live in lower density sprawl. And leave fracking to the experts, not the politically-motivated tree huggers.
Mrs. Czelatdko is pretty freakin’ hot though. No denying that.
RJF, you are dead wrong. I am a college English professor, and I see no run-on sentences. Yes, run-on should be hyphenated. Please don’t accuse others of wrongdoing when you have no clue about what is correct.
RJF get a life! This is the problem with people. We allow this crap to continue and everyone looks the other way. The bad politicians stay in for life and keep jumping from one elected position to another. The good ones leave because they don’t want to deal with all the crap. Lisa C, you have been hard working and honest your entire term. You have talked to more citizens then any of your predecessors ever did. Don’t go, we need you.
Sorry to see you go Lisa, Well said.
Good luck,
Lilithia
If sequestration happens it would have a negative and immediate impact on our region. The real questions are Why wasn’t Mayor Bach at these events? They sound important. If he is to busy or to important to attend then maybe we need a younger Mayor that can keep up with our City. Councilwoman Czlotko requesting communication, cooperation and support for ethical candidates who cares seems to be what the American people have been asking for in our politicians.
Ms Czelatdko, I agree with Adam. You have done a fine job, and you are always on top of things. Please, if you can, stay. We need people like you on the council…
Well, we’re sorry to not have Lisa running again. While we voted for her competitor in the last Council election, after she took office we have been very impressed with her commitment, time expended and level of engagement and interest from her. Thanks for your service to District 3 and the City at large. Some of us appreciated it.
Of course, this City is losing more than Councilwoman Czeladtko’s service – it is bleeding young and middle aged professionals who just don’t see much to grow on here. The mayor’s approach to minimizing City Council and its authority, outsourcing City work despite the often higher costs to do so, and the flagrant promotion of certain well-heeled interests rather than what is in the community’s best interest is sad. Our family is on our way out of here as are many others we know.
Your spot on Lisa.
Lisa is one of the few leaders on Council who remembers that the job is to represent the citizens. She has impressed my wife and i with her courage and intelligence. She is a good mother, wife, and Republican. We abuse the good ones and wonder why they don’t stay. We need more elected officials like Lisa. She’s done good.
Mayor Bach has the developers, downtowners, and the Gazette in his pocket. Why isnt the business community going ape that hes destroying Utilities? Isnt it CSU that bring the employers here? Strong Mayor isnt the right word, dictator is. Thank you Councilmember Czeladtko for looking out for the citizens and always doing what is right.
CSU plays a huge roll in attracting new businesses to Colorado Springs. They have affordable and competitive rates. They have won awards for their customer service. The employees are dedicated to their communite and volunteer thousands of hour every year helping our citizens and ratepayers. The employees have not received raises yet they continue to work hard and are dedicated to our community. Bach is trying to destroy CSU and seems more focused on his own personal, destructive, unethical, secretive and destructive agenda that most likely directly benefits the HBA, Developers, Koch Brothers and other parties that stand to profit from his reckless decisions, unstable behavior, and questionable mental health.
More and more ratepayers need to get behind Utilities and City Council. Hope you’ll run for something else Lisa C., you’ve got the Duffys votes.