Herald didn’t validate comments – Letter to the El Segundo Herald by Richard Lundquist

The following letter to the editor was published in the El Segundo Herald newspaper (HeraldPublications.com) on Thursday, March 1, 2012 in the Letters section on page 13.

Note that the following conspicuous correction in response to that letter was published on page 2:

Correction
In the February 16 article, “Split Council Fires City Manager Willmore,” we reported that according to Ron Swanson, Continental Development Corporation’s Richard Lundquist called him on February 9 and exclaimed, “What are they doing?” in response to Willmore’s possible termination. For the record, Mr. Lundquist clarified that Swanson called him that day and that he never said, “What are they doing?” We regret the error.

This correction was necessary because the Herald news reporter mistakenly trusted local resident Ron Swanson when he made statements to influence the El Segundo City Council at their special meeting on February 9, 2012, called to fire new city manager Doug Willmore. Swanson, a friend and ally of Willmore, claimed that Richard Lundquist, a wealthy and influential real estate developer and philanthropist with Continental Development in El Segundo, called him and was upset the City Council was going to fire Willmore. Local residents seem to recall this was not the first time Swanson made false statements to the City Council to influence them to help a friend of his to public funds.

Herald didn’t validate comments

While reading an article in the February 16, 2012, edition of the El Segundo Herald entitled “Split Council Fires City Manager Willmore,” I was quite disappointed to see my name mentioned. The article states that I called Ron Swanson to discuss the issue. I did not call Ron Swanson; he called me. It continues to say that I exclaimed “What are they doing?”[Italics original]. I said no such thing.

I am surprised that your paper made no attempt to contact me to corroborate or validate my participation in the assertions made by Mr. Swanson at the City Council meeting.

From our perspective at Continental Development Corporation, Mr. Willmore seemed to be going a good job. We found him to be accessible and responsive. We recognize, however, that he was employed at the pleasure of the City Council and obviously the majority of the Council has chosen to make a change.

I respectfully request that this portion of the article be retracted and that future quotes purported to be mine be checked and validated prior to printing.

Sincerely, Richard C. Lundquist

Our sincere apologies to Mr. Lundquist for our misstatement of facts.
H.M. •