Menifee Interim City Manager Rob Johnson has named staff member Lisa Gordon acting planning manager in the wake of the recent firing of Carmen Cave (left), who had been serving as the city's community development director.The search process for a permanent replacement will begin soon, said Johnson, who fired Cave earlier this month in what he called "a business decision,"
Johnson denied rumors that he was pressured by city council members to fire Cave, who was the city staff's key figure in administering city development projects. She also had primary responsibilities with the development of the city's general plan -- a controversial document among some because of the constant debate over the amount of development in the city.
"I absolutely was not pressured. This was my decision," Johnson said.
Matt Liesemeyer, chair of the Menifee Planning Commission, said he believes delays in finalization of the city's general plan could have been a factor in Cave's dismissal.
"There have been a lot of delays in the general plan," Liesemeyer said. "In my opinion, it looks like she might have taken the fall for it."
Cave, a 20-year resident of Aliso Viejo in Orange County, currently serves as mayor of that city. She did not return requests for comment on this story.