More Breaking News On "Signgate"
Late this afternoon the City of Costa issued two separate press releases dealing with the alleged theft and/or damaging of campaign signs over the weekend. The first one, issued by Communication Director Bill Lobdell, quotes City CEO Tom Hatch as follows:
"The Costa Mesa Police Department received a report concerning possible damage and theft of campaign signs over the weekend. The case is being investigated."
"The City of Costa Mesa is conducting a separate and confidential personnel/administrative investigation."
NOBODY'S TALKING...
I called Lobdell for amplification, but he would provide no additional information. Reading the second paragraph one could interpret it to mean that an employee of the city is suspected of this crime and is under investigation. Lobdell would neither confirm nor deny that suggestion.
CMPD ISSUES THE SECOND
The second press release came from Lieutenant Tim Schennum, the Public Information Officer for the CMPD. The following is the image of that press release. Click on the image to enlarge it.
As you can see, the video that has been widely viewed and from which I extracted the still images apparently was taken by a private investigator "hired by a councilmember campaigning in the upcoming election." That means either Gary Monahan or Steve Mensinger hired this guy.
And, my sources tell me that Jim Fitzpatrick, President of the Costa Mesa Taxpayers Association and recently the most audible of the yappers who speak and publish untruths about opposing candidates, called a press conference outside the Police Headquarters at 99 Fair Drive. We have no idea what he was going to say, nor who might have joined him, but we're told that the Channel 5 news van was on site. I guess we'll find out.
HOPING FOR A QUICK RESOLUTION
Personally, I hope they bring this issue to a quick resolution. I don't really care if an employee or someone else is determined to be the culprit. He should be brought to justice.
Labels: Bill Lobdell, Gary Monahan, Steve Mensinger, Tim Schennum, Tom Hatch
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 10/22/2012 07:43:00 PM
19 Comments:
Utterly beyond insanity now... please, Nov. 6, you can't come soon enough.
Maybe after this B.S., we can get back to the important issues of this campaign.
Isn't the amount of money our city council has spent on this charter a bigger crime? What is the total tally by now, after all the legal fees, the filing fees, the three fancy fliers sent out to all the Costa Mesa households and all the staff time? Didn't these same city councilmen claim our city had a fiscal crisis yet they seem unconcerned about racking up quite a tab for their ill-conceived charter.
This group keeps bringing Christmas to CM with their uplifting "press" coverage.
Yes! Nov 6 cannot come fast enough.
BTW great use of campaign finds, hiring a PI. Is this what we can expect from the M's if they get in?
Talk about lowlifes. Go over to the Yes on V website and look at all the new likes they are getting.
Just a few days ago they averaged 0- 7 likes per thier posts. I guess thye want to deceive people now.
Now the latest entries are getting 50 -100 likes.
you know how? Click on the likes to see the names. It looks like they hired some indian outfit to hit their like button.
Those people who run that website are not the type of people I want as council members.
The sign stealing is terrible and so is hiring an outside firm from India to help boost your like decieving people into thinking more people like your platform.
Utterly disgusting!
Hit pieces from the OCGOP on Genis, ouside Costa Mesa money coming into Mensingers campaign, Dayton carted in from who knows where that creep lives, Jerry Kern from Oceanside and on and on and these guys sit there with straight faces saying they don't think it's fair for outside forces to be getting involved. Do these people just lie! I think it's habitual.
yappers who speak untruths.
the cauldron is calling the kettle black.
the insults about the 3ms and their friends and supporters, family, and thoughts, as well as physical appearance have been non stop here for two years! the most consistent bashing i have ever seen and then the usual seven haters piling it on in an even more extreme measure. the appearance thing is the most confusing considering the appearance of the people on the opposite side. wow...look
How does Fitzpatrick, Private Citizen, call a press conference at police headquarters? If I wanted to call one announcing my new gout prescription, could I do so? Where do I apply? Is there a waiting period? Forms to fill out? (Just wondering.)
I was clued in about the press conference just before it started and went to City Hall.
There was an interview going on when I arrived with one guy. Rob Dickson was also there and was interviewed as well.
Although Rob and I are on opposite sides of Measure V (I am voting NO) and we are supporting different candidates, we had a nice conversation about sign theft on both sides of the issue. We were both in agreement on how ridiculous this has gotten and we hope anyone stealing signs regardless of who the sign belongs to should be punished.
I took video of Rob's interview with my phone so I could watch it when I got home.
Robin Leffler arrived just after Rob's interview in enough time to give the viewpoint of the No on V camp. I took a video of her piece as well. Although my recording the interviews didn't seem to bother Rob or Robin, the other guy there accused me of being intimidating by recording the interviews which I found puzzling since there was also a news camera rolling.Go figure!
In any event, it was the two person news crew, Robin, Rob, another guy, and one passer by and me, that's it! It should be interesting what makes it to air.
What is with Riggy, Bever, and now Ditzpatrick and their press conferences? Who is Fitzpatrick to beckon the media and call a press conference? There is a obvious pattern here. In 2008, Eric Christian and Bever created "Stink eye gate" then came Riggy's multiple press conferences and now car washer Fitzpatrick is holding a presser. Riggy and Fitzpatrick love to play the victim card.
Gotcha! Yes, we can call a press conference at 77 Fair Drive even if CM4RG uses it as their address on facebook. It doesn't belong to them but to "We" the people. HInt: yousI shouldn't be stealing signs at Gisler and Country Club this weekend or you will be infamous. Three weekends in a row you got em from us, care to try for four? Wear your best clothes for your photo op.
Union employees tipped off CM4RG that the event was about to happen.
City Hall is under the control of the Union and change needs to happen now.
There was a buzz around city hall yesterday rumor has it.
If it comes out that a city hall union thug stole the sign the election is over. Yes on V passes. 3M's win.
If not, then there is still 2 weeks for the Unions to screw this up.
yep Sanford an Son is correct. There IS a pattern here. He just fails to contemplate why. The why is important. The why is the actions of union thugs. If they didn't do their dirty work against fine familymen there would be no need for a press conference. If they keep it up expect more press conferences in the future and hopefully a couple perp walks. If with us you mess, we go to the press.
Fitzpatrick should have been home taking care of his kids instead of chasing down people destroying 50 cent signs. Disgraceful!
Sue--what the was press conference about? What was the main reason to call out the media? You don't list Mr. Fitzpatrick as being present, was he there?
Thug:
"If it comes out that a city hall union thug stole the sign the election is over. Yes on V passes. 3M's win."
A) There are no union thugs at city hall, just management junior thugs taking orders from boss thugs in Newport;
B) So you admit V and the 3 stooges are losing and it'll take some stunt for them to win?
Thanks for the honesty. We will remember all those who sold out our city.
Boycott Fisler because of his support of those who harm us. Take your real estate business elsewhere.
First off, this guy was wrong to vandalize the sign...as petty as it is (what are they worth? few bucks?) it is still criminal and it should be handled by the Police. Secondly, this guy damaged the one sign and removed and discarded another from view...while wrong and juvenile, it doesnt sound like stealing the sign to me. Watching the video does not lead me to believe this guy is the one stealing and vandalizing all the signs (recent boxcutter comments and DP article with "hundreds" of signs photo op in Rob Dicksons truck) as others would want you to believe, especially if its true he is an employee.
Also, I don't think there was a time and date stamp on the video. How fast do beards grow anyway? Could they have been sitting on this video for a little bit, waiting for the most opportune time to spring the "gotcha" moment? hmmmmm....
Who's voice is near the end of the video, saying something which sounds like, "good stuff"? Is that Fitzpatrick? So did a volunteer (Fitz) record it as indicated by Fitz on the CMTax page or did the paid PI who met with the Police per the PD press release? Who is paying for that PI? City funds or donated campaign funds or ?
So, what are the priorities? Justice or media blitz? When did this occur vs. when was it reported, who witnessed and recorded, and lastly, when was the video (if it was) turned in for PD evidentiary value vs. when was it posted on youtube and CMTax?
So theyve obviously gotten a lot of bang for their buck and will especially do so if the idiot is/was an employee.
This, recent anon comments about lists of employees and the recent FB exchange about Billy Folsom (the one harping on his appearance) where they allude to his license plate calling him a dirty biker would lead me to believe certain employees who a public, vocal and local are likely being watched and/or followed....
Casualties of a political war and ideology? If this guy is an employee, at least this one wasnt pushed to suicide, though they may have just recorded enough for his stress / hostile environment claim...hope he didnt kick the dog when he got home...
So what if he is a City employee, it sure didn't look like he was on the clock. What employees do outside of work is none of the Citys business. If I was a City employee and it was my day off would I get in trouble if I choose to drink a couple of beers? Didn't think so.
@ What's The Press
The press was called by Rob Dickson and the "other guy." (the one you are inquiring about being there.)The press conference was about the signs in favor of "Yes" on V and the 3M's being damaged and taken.
@ No More Union Control
CM4RG was called by a resident, not an employee. Please remember that the City of Costa Mesa provides licensing, and public safety and services to its residents and businesses. That is the City's job. The resident was at the City conducting business and saw the news crew and signs and called wondering why no one supporting NO on Measure V was present to tell the other side of the story since signs are being stolen from ALL candidates as well as the No on V signs that reflect the opinion of many residents who do not support the proposed charter. It's that simple.
Signs are being stolen and damaged across the board. It's not just happening to the 3M's and the "Yes" signs, it's happening to everyone!
The point is, it doesn't matter which signs are being taken or damaged. It's ALL wrong!!!!
If someone places a sign on private property without the owner's permission, the owner has every right to remove the sign. That has also happened and again, that is wrong.
People who steal or damage signs will be caught and dealt with. Everyone who reads a paper or local blogs, watches KTLA News, or is on facebook should know this is happening now and more than likely will keep an eye out.
Hopefully moving forward, the sign issues will stop and our police department and press will be able to use the time being spent on political signs to address other more critical issues plaguing our city and our residents.
Maybe one day soon, we will once again be in an environment where people will treat each other with respect and can be at very least cordial. I am looking forward to that day as it can't come too soon!!!!!
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