New Basketball League - YES, Aztecs - NO

NEW BASKETBALL LEAGUE APPROVED
It was no surprise to me that the Costa Mesa City Council approved the contract with a new basketball league to use the Downtown Recreation Center, initially for six months, with a possible extension of a second six months period. Eric Bever's attempt to derail this contract was defeated on a 4-1 vote - Bever, of course, voting no.

MANSOOR'S ANTI-LATINO BIAS ON DISPLAY
What did surprise and disappoint me that our mayor, Allan Mansoor, was so willing to display his very obvious anti-Latino bias. During his motion Mansoor indicated that the contract would be between Rigoberto Bautista to manage the "Costa Mesa Weekend Basketball League" on Sundays.

FOLEY PRESSED FOR CLARIFICATION
Katrina Foley pressed Mansoor for a clarification because it seemed like Mansoor was requiring Sergeant Bautista to change the name of his business, Aztec Basketball League, as a condition of approval of his request to rent the facility. Mansoor dodged that question several times and never did answer it question directly, but it was clear to all present what he was doing. In fact, he refused to even say the words, "Aztec Basketball League".

BLATANT BIAS
This was the most blatant example of anti-Latino bias I can remember being displayed by a sitting Costa Mesa council member, much less a mayor. It was obvious from his discussion that he wouldn't even consider an entity called "Aztec Basketball League" in our city.

FESTERING BOIL
I suspect this is a deep-seated bias - one that has been made more obvious by Mansoor's legal difficulties with Benito Acosta. I think the legal action with Acosta is a festering boil for Mansoor and anything that reminds him of it is going to get short shrift during deliberations.

NO SURPRISE - "THE MOUTH" ATTACKS
One speaker, The Mouth From Mesa North, again tried to fan the flames of intolerance on this issue. He also took the opportunity to blast Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Kurt Galitski - a man who has demonstrated that he won't take any of The Mouth's crap.

WHAT WILL MANSOOR'S MINORITY CONSTITUENTS THINK?
Mansoor is in full campaign mode now, gathering cash for his run for Van Tran's 68th Assembly District seat. As I watched him in action last night I found myself wondering how the various minority factions in the District will react to his clear bias. Will they have second thoughts about his assembly candidacy?