Costa Mesa Hires Spokesperson After Worker's Death
COSTA MESA (AP) — Costa Mesa has hired a $3,000-a-week spokesperson after a worker jumped to his death shortly after receiving a layoff notice.
The Orange County Register says Costa Mesa has retained Bill Lobdell, formerly a Los Angeles Times reporter and editor of the local Daily Pilot.
Mayor Gary Monahan says the city's ability to interact with its residents is in bad shape.
Lobdell says he signed a 90-day contract that pays $75 an hour for up to 40 hours a week.
The deal comes as the city considers outsourcing hundreds of jobs. A maintenance worker, 29-year-old Huy Pham, plunged from the roof of the Civic Center last week after he and more than 200 others -- nearly half the work force -- were told they could face layoffs.
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