League Of Women Voters "Charter" Luncheon
Last Friday, May 18, 2012, Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer and former Mayor Sandra Genis responded to an invitation by the League of Women Voters to make a presentation on the proposed Charter for Costa Mesa that will appear on the November 6, 2012 ballot. This event took place at the about-to-be-defunct Coco's restaurant at Fashion Island in Newport Beach - it shuts down on May 29th.
More than 50 people gathered in the small room to enjoy a lunch and hear from Righeimer and Genis. I may have been one of the youngest persons in the room. I suspect the average was around 75. That's not bad. The members of the League, while a very senior group, are quite active and engaged in political activities. They were respectful, attentive and asked good questions.
This was not a "debate" per se. Righeimer spoke first for about 10 minutes, then responded to questions from the audience for another fifteen. Then Genis spoke and answered questions - many of them the same ones that Righeimer answered.
Because it was not a "debate", I don't think anyone "won". Based on the responses from attendees, I think both parties provided valuable information to this group - most of whom knew nothing about Charter cities beforehand. Those of us who have followed this subject from the beginning didn't learn anything new. We heard Righeimer spout the same old mantra - local control, managing contracts without prevailing wage, etc. And, we heard Genis set him straight on some of those misrepresentations - again.
ENTOURAGES ALL AROUNDI thought it was interesting that Righeimer brought an entourage with him. Steve Mensinger and Bill Lobdell also attended. And, several concerned Costa Mesa residents - Robin Leffler, Eleanor Egan, Jay Humphrey, Perry and Pam Valantine and Katie Arthur - also showed up and provided questions. All in all, it was a very civilized meeting.
However, the proverbial "rubber meets the road" on June 5th - election day - when the first Public Hearing on this Charter will be held as part of the regularly-scheduled City Council meeting beginning at 6:00 in Council Chambers. I'll write about that again as we get closer. We'll find out then if anyone has tried to slip any changes into the document or if it is still the onerous, hastily-contrived, self-serving piece of garbage that Righeimer tried to foist off on the voters this spring.
Labels: Bill Lobdell, Charter City, Eleanor Egan, Jay Humphrey, Jim Righeimer, League of Women Voters, Perry Valantine, Robin Leffler, Sandra Genis, Steve Mensinger
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 5/22/2012 09:29:00 PM
7 Comments:
Any idea why the League of Women Voters choose to have this meeting about a Costa Mesa Charter in Corona del Mar instead of our city? Thanks for the report
I know EXACTLY why... they've met at that venue for years - decades, actually. The subject doesn't drive the venue for them. They invite speakers to address contemporary issues in which they, as a group, have an interest. Since Costa Mesa is wrestling with Jim Righeimer's Charter and Newport Beach is soliciting participants in a Charter Revision Committee, they thought it was timely.
The League will be seeking a new venue - someplace in which they can seat 50 or more people that serves a reasonably-priced lunch and can be configured to accommodate a speaker.
GW:
"The League will be seeking a new venue - someplace in which they can seat 50 or more people that serves a reasonably-priced lunch and can be configured to accommodate a speaker."
Me:
What about Skosh's? The puppet strings are already installed in the ceiling. Baugh and Righeimer can take turns upstairs.
wow, Riggy had to bring an entourage to THIS? Genis did not have one! (except for 5: leffler, humphrey,the valantines, and egan.) And how dare Mensinger show up. What does he have to do with the charter? i can see leffler and humphrey, as experts, having a part in this but Mensinger? Leece stayed away knowing she has little knowledge of charter issues but Mensinger hijacked another event.
Newport has a charter? Anyone else close by such as Huntington or Irvine or Santa Ana (the cities who we share boundaries with) have one? If not, we should see why they rejectted charters and NAIL the OCGOP with those facts!
marble, tin, ball, hat, fork, chair,car,bank,orange.
Imagine that, the phone-dropping chest bumper showing up to an event that his master, Riggy is scheduled to take part in. Has Riggy ever been allowed to do anything without his older & more bloated shadow showing up to show support. I could only imagine what the holidays, b-days, and wedding anniversaries are like.
How good will it be when Mensinger isn't elected to the City Council, but still shows up to the meetings and sits next to Riggy on a little stool.
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