City official's e-mail sparks libel claim

Contending he was libeled in an e-mail by Menlo Park Council Member Kelly Fergusson, a business owner has filed a claim for more than $10,000 against her and the city.

[MP citizen]

If this article is at all correct, and the implication from the response of the City Attorney indicating that the City might pay Lewis in order to avoid a lawsuit, I find totally offensive.

This issue should be immediately brought out into the open; no settlement should be made without public oversight.

[Athena]

This is the first evidence of sound judgement I've even seen from Mayor Kelly. She got it right this time, Jim Lewis does act like a psuedo-council member. And why won't he say what his business is? It's so weird.