Worker threatened with layoff dies after plunge from roof of Costa Mesa City Hall
After the city of Costa Mesa on Thursday announced major layoffs, a worker fell to his death from the roof of City Hall.
The incident involving a man identified as a 29-year-old maintenance worker occurred hours after layoff notices went out. Authorities, who believe the man may have jumped, said he had worked for the city for four years and was told he might be laid off.
His identity wasn’t released, pending notification of relatives.
About 213 Costa Mesa employees -- nearly half the city's workforce -- received layoff notices Thursday.
More than 90 firefighters, 50 city maintenance workers, 30 dispatchers and a dozen city jail staff members are among those being notified that their jobs will be outsourced in six months.
-- Joseph Serna
EDITOR'S PICKS:
And isn't it amazing. . . none of the elected body are relinquishing their pay or positions. Instead, they are more than willing to endanger the citizens by taking way the safety and police!
HOW TYPICAL!
Posted by: Astonished | March 17, 2011 at 04:29 PM
This is tragic. I wish he had known that there are other options. Getting laid off is no reason to kill yourself.
Posted by: KJ | March 17, 2011 at 04:42 PM
As I read the article, I don't think the jobs are being cut, but are being outsourced. Soooo....we'll still be getting the services, but it will cost the city less.
Posted by: Karen | March 17, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Incidents like this one, while tragic, should not be used as a bloody banner to dissuade or discourage our elected officials from enacting the civil service pay and benefit reforms we all know MUST be enacted if California is to survive.
Posted by: Greg Maragos | March 17, 2011 at 04:48 PM
was it a fall? the way the article (w/out any real information yet) is written, it's like we are supposed to believe he might have committed suicide because of budget cuts in public services.
it's not really journalism.
Posted by: bill lane | March 17, 2011 at 04:53 PM
How do you outsource first responders? I'm not sure.
Posted by: Josh | March 17, 2011 at 04:59 PM
doesn't the city council get pensions too? That should be the first thing to go... and they better only get part time pay...
Posted by: Mike | March 17, 2011 at 05:01 PM
Isn't that how the conservatives work, become a tea bagger and throw the taxpayers off the roof.
Posted by: bip | March 17, 2011 at 05:11 PM
The man knew how horrifying the Costa Mesa homeless system & shelters are and decided death was way better of an option.
Posted by: August | March 17, 2011 at 05:18 PM
Astonished,
What? what do you propose? please explain.
Posted by: Fred | March 17, 2011 at 05:21 PM
Why does gov't cut instead of trim the fat? Shrink salaries and benefits, reduce hours....stretch those tax dollars!
When the doctor tells you to lose a few pounds, you don't do so by cutting off your arm.
Posted by: old repoter | March 17, 2011 at 05:40 PM
"Will be outsourced"? Are you kidding me??
Posted by: hustin1 | March 17, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Extreme right-wing City Council. It's all about the statement.
Posted by: Logic and Reason | March 17, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Outsourced? Where to China? Whose bright idea was this? How 'bout the admin taking a pay cut?
Posted by: Westcoastliberal | March 17, 2011 at 06:05 PM
No job is worth that, but I imagine, his paycheck was...
So sorry for any family that may miss you. Hope you found something happy on the "other side". RIP
Posted by: RescueRocks | March 17, 2011 at 06:12 PM
To the victim, RIP. @Astonished: I couldn't agree more. Wake up people, politicians (republicans) are selling this to us as a way to "save" tax payer's money but all they're doing is redirecting it to private companies. The article says that jobs are being outsourced; who do you think own these outsourcing companies? Rich people who contributed to these politician's campaigns. The rich will get richer using tax payer's money and eliminate the middle class- government workers are tax payers too, you know. I drove by City of Anaheim the other day and saw some construction. So I did some research and found out they are building a Water Recycling exhibit that's costing $10 million dollars and this was just approved in December I guess. I thought they were having money problems too but they do this? Irresponsible and poor use of tax payer money if you ask me, nice timing mayor and council- you pushed for this and approved. LA Times, please look into this.
Posted by: EMC | March 17, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Costa Mesa-Why not sack all fire-fighters? After all everyone has a garden hose at home that can be used to put out fires. Most homes have firearms now so sack all the police. We're doomed.
Posted by: jonathan seidler | March 17, 2011 at 06:18 PM
@ Astonished "And isn't it amazing. . . none of the elected body are relinquishing their pay or positions"
Same goes for corporate America. Those at the top of course need to make their multi-million dollar salaries with multi-million dollar bonuses, while those that do the work to keep the companies afloat in the first place are the first ones whose salaries are considered expendable.
What a joke! Even more of a joke are the ones who feel that there is nothing wrong with that and that it is the American way.
Posted by: Ridunculous | March 17, 2011 at 06:24 PM
I guess he didn't like the cornbread either.
Posted by: Hanson Parker | March 17, 2011 at 06:28 PM
In a normal, non-latino controlled city (Bell, Maywood, Los Angsles) Mayors and council members are lucky to get three or four thousand a month. The man probably jumped because he knew he would never make as much in the private sector as he did on the government payroll. 35 years ago, city employees made equal or less than equal jobs paid in the private sector, now with wages/benefits, they make much more. FDR, the great Democratic sage for the nation warned against public sector unions. Our one time Democrat leader here in California, Willie Brown, has commented on the damages the public sector unions have done in California. Wisconsin has the right idea.
Posted by: Just saying | March 17, 2011 at 06:33 PM
Astonished at 4:29 - *like*
Posted by: Carol | March 17, 2011 at 06:34 PM
Sans 1929 crash. People's backs were up against the wall, they saw no way out of their financial situation and opted out. It's just heartbreaking.
America should be ashamed of herself for letting things get this bad.
Where or where are our leaders who actually have the ability and desire to lead us?
We are so screwed
Posted by: Tere | March 17, 2011 at 06:39 PM
I wonder how the Costa Mesa property owners will feel after their prop values go down from having bad schools and bad city services. Maybe then they will wish their city had raised taxes to fund their city services. People are all so short sited in letting all of this infrastructure and public services go down the drain.
Posted by: Tara | March 17, 2011 at 06:41 PM
Where are all the republicans who want lower taxes and cuts to govt. Especially the O.C. crowd. Come on where's your support now big mouths, that fireman are getting laid off. Oh hiding under the sheets. Figures!
Posted by: JC | March 17, 2011 at 06:44 PM
It saddens me to know that he didn't believe he had the support system to help him in the event of a lay-off. Religious and non-profits need to outreach to people and help them deal with these hard economic times. May he find eternal peace now. My condolences to the family.
Posted by: Gem | March 17, 2011 at 06:46 PM