Bever Bails - Negotiations In Jeopardy?
BEVER LEAVES CLOSED SESSION IN A HUFF
Word around town tonight is that Costa Mesa City Councilman Eric Bever abandoned the closed session meeting Monday evening as negotiations with the employee bargaining units were under discussion. Although it's not clear what was on his alleged mind, we're led to believe he plans to boycott further negotiations "because there is an election pending". What? The election is five weeks off and the new council won't be seated for several weeks after that! Is he trying to stall the process until a new council is seated?
Let's try to figure out just why Bever would turn his back on his municipal responsibility. The city - in the midst of the worst financial crisis in it's history - is currently trying to negotiate with the employee unions to help solve the $9 million plus shortfall we will have in the 2010/2011 budget. Last year at this time, through intense negotiations, the employees agreed to furlough days to help the city through that time. This year our municipal predicament is even worse. Without a new contract the previous one continues on - a major problem for us budget-wise.
If Bever has, indeed, decided to abandon his responsibilities as an elected councilman, we wonder why? What's in it for him? He's only got two years left on his term in office. Is it possible that he might be maneuvering for some kind of consideration once he leaves the city council? After all, Righeimer has LOTS of connections in the Orange County Republican Party. Might there be a seat on the OCTA Board in his future, for example? Gives us all something to think about.
Word around town tonight is that Costa Mesa City Councilman Eric Bever abandoned the closed session meeting Monday evening as negotiations with the employee bargaining units were under discussion. Although it's not clear what was on his alleged mind, we're led to believe he plans to boycott further negotiations "because there is an election pending". What? The election is five weeks off and the new council won't be seated for several weeks after that! Is he trying to stall the process until a new council is seated?
THIS ACT TAKES THE CAKE!
During Bever's almost 6 years on the City Council, and his time on the Planning Commission before that, we've seen him do some goofy and just plain stupid stuff, but this one takes the cake! Without further information we are left to engage in my favorite past time - speculation!
During Bever's almost 6 years on the City Council, and his time on the Planning Commission before that, we've seen him do some goofy and just plain stupid stuff, but this one takes the cake! Without further information we are left to engage in my favorite past time - speculation!
WHY, ERIC?
Let's try to figure out just why Bever would turn his back on his municipal responsibility. The city - in the midst of the worst financial crisis in it's history - is currently trying to negotiate with the employee unions to help solve the $9 million plus shortfall we will have in the 2010/2011 budget. Last year at this time, through intense negotiations, the employees agreed to furlough days to help the city through that time. This year our municipal predicament is even worse. Without a new contract the previous one continues on - a major problem for us budget-wise.RIGHEIMER BEARING DOWN ON THEM
And, there is the specter of that runaway freight train, Jim Righeimer, heading down the track toward the employees with the promise to "do something" about what he perceives to be excessive salaries and benefits. I'm sure it's difficult for the employee representatives to stay focused on the business at hand with the thought of Righeimer on the other side of the bargaining table soon.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR HIM?
If Bever has, indeed, decided to abandon his responsibilities as an elected councilman, we wonder why? What's in it for him? He's only got two years left on his term in office. Is it possible that he might be maneuvering for some kind of consideration once he leaves the city council? After all, Righeimer has LOTS of connections in the Orange County Republican Party. Might there be a seat on the OCTA Board in his future, for example? Gives us all something to think about.EXPLAIN AND/OR RESIGN
In the meantime, I think Eric Bever owes us all an explanation for his actions. If he's unwilling to perform the requirements of his job, then he should just resign - the earlier the better, thank you very much.
Labels: Eric Bever, Jim Righeimer
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 9/27/2010 11:58:00 PM
12 Comments:
Politics is such a filthy, dirty game! City councilman ---> OCTA Board ---> lobbyist ---> $$$$$ ---> it's the name of the game.
We have a councilman who now refuses to do his job, and a guy who isn't a councilman pretending to be one. Who passes out the stupid pills in this town?
I would say this is getting embarassing, but it already has been for far too long. What a buffoon!
How would Leece and Righeimer improve the mix? Leece already sides with Foley on public safety compensation, doesn't she? If Foley will be off the council, it might make sense to negotiate with the council that will be in place for most of the term of the new contract, but that needs to be clearly articulated. Right now it sounds like Bruce has it right. I don't think Bever is doing it for future monetary gain, that is NOT his style at all.
What a legacy Mr. Beaver is leaving as Councilman...not! 2012 is when he terms out..Ugh! Another example of his damming up the works. An explanation would be nice.
Actually, wsneen, you may have meant "damning"... works, too. :-)
"I don't think Bever is doing it for future monetary gain, that is NOT his style at all."
B.S. He jumped the shark with the fairgrounds deal....big money is rolling in CM. Notice Buffa at every deal. I hear there's 20k per consultation......
WTF....dont fool yourself......Bevers using our city to build himself a parachute. Look at Mansoor.
Community service......my ass!
Costa Mesa first.....I'm voting for McEvoy just to put some brakes on these zealots.
What is sooooo important over at Skoshs that he is hiding from these negotians too.
I'm no Bever fan, but he's dead on balls accurate on this one. These important negotiations should not be conducted with just a few weeks to go before elections.
Lisa Vito (love the name), you may have a point about the timing, but we had a hand dealt to us that must be played NOW, not in 3 months! The previously-negotiated agreement from last year, including the furloughs, have expired. We're back to where we were 14 months ago, except the hole we're in is much, much deeper this year. It's irresponsible management and fiscal imprudence to delay negotiations. And, if Bever is so concerned about this, where has he been the past 6 years? No, this is just a political ploy on his part.
Negotiations for police started in June, a full six months before elections and a full eight months before a new council would even be seated. The timing has everything to do with Bever and co. not taking care of this when they should have, at the beginning of summer. Is it too late to recall Bever for refusing to do his job?
Jim, it's too delicious to contemplate, but would likely fail. A recall is expensive - would require a special election. We'll just have to put up with his petulance and non-performance for two more years. I have not figured out whether he's more dangerous to our city when he's paying attention and participating or when he's throwing a hissy fit and sitting it out!
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