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After 22 years with Portola Valley, Public Works Director Howard Young is leaving his role at the end of June, but there isn’t a clear explanation about why he is departing. He joins other recent staffers who left their roles recently, which helped spark a restructuring effort.
Portola Valley Town Manager Sharif Etman announced the change during a May 29 Town Council meeting. Portola Valley has experienced a turnover rate of nearly 70% in 2023, according to a town staff report. The announcement about Young’s departure was met with shock and speculation from community members that he was fired or laid off, which they expressed in public comments to the Town Council.
The town nor Young have responded to The Almanac’s questions about the reason for Young’s departure.
“I am very disappointed to find out about Howard’s departure. What a huge loss for the town in so many ways,” wrote resident Mark Paris, who serves on the Public Works Committee, in a public comment. “Not knowing the details, can anything be done to reverse this? What is happening to this town and how can we lose someone who is part of the fabric of our community?”
‘What is happening to this town and how can we lose someone who is part of the fabric of our community?’
portola valley Resident Mark Paris
Etman announced during a June 12 council meeting that the public works director position would be turned into a town engineer position as part of the reorganization of the town.
During public comment, residents came forward to express their appreciation for Young’s two decades of service to Portola Valley. They showed disappointment in his departure and concerns about the future of the public works department.
“I dread the consequences of his departure. This is an ominous legacy for the town manager and, by proxy, the Town Council,” said Portola Valley resident Barb Eckstein. “I urge both of them to listen to the people who live here and love this town to honor and respect hard work and loyalty, to put pride aside, admit there’s been a mistake and reinstate Howard.”
In a statement to The Almanac, Etman said there are plans to have an interim fill the public works director role while recruiting for a town engineer. Young’s anticipated last day will be June 30, according to Etman.
‘The town loves and wishes to honor Howard for all he has done to create the sparkle in Portola Valley which the whole Peninsula has learned to treasure.’
Portola valley Council member Mary Hufty
“The town loves and wishes to honor Howard for all he has done to create the sparkle in Portola Valley which the whole Peninsula has learned to treasure,” said Council member Mary Hufty. “Change is hard on everyone but it is also the only constant.”
Young served as interim town manager upon Jeremy Dennis’ departure in March 2023. Young continued his public works role at the same time as filling in as town manager. Etman filled the town manager role permanently in August 2023.
A celebration will be held for Young’s service to the town, according to Etman.
This town lacks economic diversity, and maybe other kinds of diversity as well, and too many residents like it that way. They love it that way! They have and will fight to keep it that way.
Town Hall staff have more in common with the people being shut out than with the people enabling ithis exclusivity. The attitude of too many residents borders on feudal, which negatively affects Portola Valley’s vibe, to put it gently.
Who wants to stay where they’re not welcomed, where class differences are staring you in the face? Eventually you come to your senses and find something else to do.
Howard may not be leaving for such reasons, but the issue is real and does anyone see it changing?
I remember asking a clerk at the Roberts grocery store there whether she’d like to live in town. She scoffed and added a comment to the effect of, “Are you kidding?”
My sentiments exactly.
To Clevenger — most if not all residents of the town are extremely upset by Howard’s leaving. This was done by our new (ish) Town Manager who has declined to discuss his decision. As a resident of PV all I can say is that Howard has been an amazing asset to the Town and that so many are dismayed by our Town Managers decision.
I agree with Clevenger. Its not hard to see how vehemently Portola Valley resists change, even when that stubbornness results in the complete devastation of long time staff members or becoming a state wide embarrassment due to its housing element. Hoping PV residents will understand isolating themselves is not the way forward. Its a beautiful place to live, share that beauty.
Disappointing to see people trying to use the Housing Element shortfall as the reason for the loss of this dedicated Public Works Director to promote a social agenda.
If this was a budgetary shortfall issue due to state funding loss as punishment of not meeting the Housing Element requirement than why was the paltry position of an Assistant Town Manager backfilled while the crucial position of a Public Works Director is being eliminated?
What is more upsetting is that the Public Works Director position was held by Howard who dedicated 22 years of his career to the township and competent enough to simultaneously take on the duties of both interim town manager and public works director.
If not for the reasons of performance or budget it is suspicious if it was in Sharif Etman’s self interest to release Howard.
Sharif Etman’s refusal to even discuss why Howard was released speaks volumes.