60th Anniversary Committee Holds A Post-mortem
RE-HASHING THE CELEBRATION
Thursday evening the Costa Mesa 60th Anniversary Celebration Committee, chaired by Mike Scheafer, held a meeting to discuss the recent 3-day event that was held the end of June.
However, City Chief Executive Officer Tom Hatch hijacked the meeting to present awards and mementos to the committee members present in honor of their good works on that celebration. It was an unanticipated part of the meeting, but a very nice though. Hatch also mentioned that the City Council will also wish to have a more formal recognition at a future date. And, later in the meeting, Scheafer mentioned that he hopes all hands can make it to the Concerts In The Park on Tuesday, July 30th, when the committee members will be honored.
This meeting, held in council chambers, was an opportunity for committee members to take a deep breath and provide a quick summary of their opinions of the celebrations. Segments receiving high praise were the Art Walk, the food vendors, the car show and the great variety of things - something for everyone. A questionnaire will be distributed to them, and to vendors and others involved to provide more formal feedback. Scheafer asked each member present to present to the city staff a brief summary of what they thought the pros and cons were of the event, and to have it to the staff within 10 days. The next meeting of the group will be on August 8th, at which time it is anticipated that all the financials will be sorted out and made available.
Bradley Zint of the Daily Pilot was present and published his version of this meeting, HERE. He mentions some negative issues - some that did not get thoroughly fleshed out. I did see a couple committee members leave abruptly when it was clear they were not going to be able to vent about issues important to them at that time. It's my understanding that there will be an opportunity to provide a thorough analysis of the event in the near future. I hope they will return to add their views to the mix.
Yes, I'm quoted in Zint's piece and, yes, I did mumble those words - and more, too. I told the group that my wife and I had a great time during our visit to the celebration, and that I didn't see a single unhappy person over the six or so hours we spent there. The entire committee and their leadership, plus Dan Joyce and Christine Cordon of the city staff, should be commended for pulling off an outstanding event in such a short time. Kudos to all.
On July 26th there will be a symphony at the Segerstrom Center. On the 30th the Concerts In The Park mentioned above. July 31st is Costa Mesa night at the Orange County Fair, which opens today. On August 3rd it's Costa Mesa night at Anaheim Stadium and also Mike Trout jersey night. Plenty of tickets are still available for that game through Christine Cordon at City Hall at 714-754-5121.In October there will be a scarecrow event throughout the city, which should be a lot of fun. More on that later.
Labels: 60th Anniversary, Bradley Zint, Christine Cordon, Dan Joyce, Mike Scheafer, Tom Hatch
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 7/12/2013 12:19:00 AM
34 Comments:
So now you praise the event? last story was about what a huge waste of money(because Riggy popularity spiked?). Of course, the story before that was how great it was. Just seein' which way the wind blows week to week and trying to get on the right side of story?
We did not attend.
Speaking of celebrations. Why didn't the police write more illegal fireworks tickets? My neighbors and I figured out where and who was lighting off the big + loud + dangerous fireworks.
Why was there not more tickets?
weatherman,
So now you've got a case of selective memory. On July 1st I posted about our experience at the event: http://abubblingcauldron.blogspot.com/2013/07/wow-what-party.html
The wind direction hasn't changed here. It's just your attempt to spin what's said here to fit your agenda, you gutless anonymous coward.
Big Bang Theory,
The police must SEE the offense to cite folks for it.
I did not attend the 60th because of a previous commitment. I've heard all sides of all stories and it seemed like a net positive for the city and everyone involved, and yes, anonymous trolls, that includes Our Mayor.
We have some amazing, best in SoCal and OC food establishments here in Costa Mesa. If you've ever gone to Taste of Chicago around the Fourth of July, I'd love to see something on a smaller scale here. No, not because of allegations about the food vendors, either. We just have extremely talented culinary artists in our town and they should be showcased and celebrated.
stirrer: do you or do you not support the celebration that was put on? Confusing articles.
Ha, Pretty funny. They SAW it all right.
Contract coming up they are trying to pit public against Mensy.
They drove by fireworks and did not try to stop them because the unions know they can get people angry towards council.
Looks like negotiations are starting early
Big Bang Theory....Did you report your information to the police department? Cops can issue cites like that under 2 circumstances. First, as Geoff said, is if the cops actually witness the violation themselves. Second, is if you speak to the police and you elect to make a citizens arrest. The cops investigate and determine if probable cause exists to believe the violation occurred. If so, the cops can accept the citizens arrest and issue the citations. Unfortunately, 99% of the time citizens wish to remain anonymous and the cops can only check the area for whatever is reported. And let's not even get into the lack of staffing because of this council majority.
We got Wyatt pegged as retired blue.
Bet he misses Christmas in July and all that Fair OT.
With all this "lack of staffing" looks like we should have a Citizen Oversight Committee.
Start getting your applications ready all you bootlickers
Wyatt,
I witnessed a CMPD patrol car drive very slowly down a street on the Westside and a person setting off a mortar (huge aerial explosion with colors and everything)right in front of him. He didn't even slow down.
Sure, he may have been looking elsewhere or distracted by the radio, or any other reason, but the fact is nothing was done. Nothing was done all night, and the numbers back that up. 224 fireworks related calls of which responded to 40, and only made one arrest? Why didn't they publish the number of citations written? probably very, very few.
I know for a fact that calls were made which provided specific addresses of people setting off highly illegal fireworks, yet no CMPD contact was made. The callers were told that CMPD had higher priority calls to handle. These are the same people who do it every year, and always get reported. They have never been busted.
There is simply no excuse, including "lack of resources."
And if you think that neighbors are going to arrest their neighbors, you are delusional.
CMPD loves the illegal fireworks....Did you bother to call and ask why the officer did nothing based on what you saw? You gave several possibilities. I would add that it was likely the officer was on a high priority call where he or she could not by department policy break from that call unless another higher priority incident occurs. In that hypothetical, an illegal firework incident does not qualify as a higher priority call.
Again, even calls with specific addresses and specific descriptions of suspects does not give officers probable cause to make an arrest or issue a citation unless they witness activity themselves or the caller wishes to make a citizens arrest. Heck, even naming the suspect by name is not enough unless the officer witnesses that person or the caller wishes to make a citizens arrest. Sorry, but to do otherwise would be a violation of state law and the US Constitution.
And I am not delusional. I myself quoted the facts in my earlier comments. Since you have an obviously short memory, I said 99% of callers do not wish to speak to the responding officers. This ties the responding officers hands as to what they can legally do to deal with the call.
Now you at leart have some insight into what cops can and can't do. I suggest the CMPD Citizens Academy is another place to learn more.
@it is on...what does illegal fireworks have to do with pitting the public against Mensinger? He's for the sale of legal fireworks. Many people are, and one really has nothing to do with the other.
Fact is, the decision was made to issue civil citations for illegal fireworks violations (in lieu of a criminal citation-it's not a jail bookable offense). The city had a limited number of the civil citation books printed. There were maybe half a dozen or fewer books out there. That means those officers witnessing a violation who didnt have one of those books would have to stop and wait for an officer with one to respond. Meanwhile calls were holding elsewhere.
There were officers in unmarked cars driving around and witnessing violations and citing them. Several citations were issued. Those were "on-view" events; meaning the officers witnessed the violation and self initiated the activity. That's above the 40 reported fireworks calls that were dispatch generated events.
Nice conspiracy theory about negotiations and all though. It seems that those who support council really are against the PD. no matter what the PD does you are going to find fault with it. Truth is those men and women in the field respond to a lot of call per day every day. They have direct contact and make more direct impact in people's daily lives than the council does. They reach a broader group in every neighborhood, in every segment of the community. They don't cater to their "pet" groups of true believers. Trust me that will be remembered, it will certainly be remembered if this council chooses to vilify the men and women of the PD again. People's general recollection will be of the nice officer that helped them when they needed it.
Wyatt,
Sorry, but I call BS on your assertions. Fact is, if someone walked out in the street and fired a round of birdshot in the air, and someone called CMPD, you guys would saturate the area.
Giant explosives you could care less about.
Priorities.......For starters, there is a vast difference between someone shooting off a shotgun in the air, regardless of the ammo type, and someone shooting off an illegal firework. There isn't a PD in this country that would prioritize the illegal firework over the shots fired call. Your chosen name says it all, priorities. If the citizens of Costa Mesa would prefer CMPD to prioritize an illegal firework over a shotgun blast, then let the Chief know how you feel.
Second, the standards of reasonable suspicion and probable cause are the same regardless of whether you call CMPD about a shotgun blast or an illegal firework. No cop anywhere in this country can take action simply because you call the PD and say something happened. There must be corroborating physical evidence, pictures, video, witness statements, etc. Call BS all you want, the law is the law.
As to your earlier assertion about no contact being made at specific addresses, what call do you think the cops should handle first? The fight call or the illegal firework call? The DUI being followed or the illegal firework call? The domestic violence call or the illegal firework call? The traffic collision or the illegal firework call? Priorities exactly.
Priorities...
Maybe, maybe not. Still a misdemeanor not committed in the officer's presence. Officers can not make arrests for misdemeanors not committed in their presence. There are exceptions. Those are1. With a warrant, 2. Citizen's arrest 3. If the offender is a juvenile and 4. Certain domestic violence violations.
In the example you give, yeah, it's likely to get more attention. Why? Most people are annoyed by fireworks. However most people are genuinely fearful of some idiot discharging a firearm into the air.
Wyatt,
Thanks for illustrating my obviously ridiculous point - fireworks are the lowest priority you have.
Just admit it and move on.
Tell the people who call that there is no chance in hell CMPD will do anything about the high explosives that shake their houses, wake them up at 2:30 am for weeks, rain fiery debris on their homes, and scare the hell out their young kids. That way, we can just leave town.
Maybe you guys can donate some of your OT to cover our travel expenses?
Priorities.....Ok, we can simply agree to disagree. No one is discounting the effect of illegal fireworks. However, as I have illustrated and you are unwilling to accept as fact, cops anywhere can only take action if they witness the violation or if you and your neighbors step up to make a citizens arrest. Cops don't make the laws, they only can only enforce the laws when specific conditions are met.
I'm confident when given the choice, your neighbors, obviously not you, would understand the priority thing when given the choices between responding to the calls listed above.
Further, I have no doubt whatsoever you are the type who would scream bloody murder if the cops prioritized an illegal firework call over someone trying to fight you/break into your house or car/firing actual shots into the air/has crashed into you/ etc.
Keep in mind also that some of that priority is set at the local and state before local cops ever get a call for service. The state legislature is who determined the crime level of illegal fireworks at the infraction or misdemeanor level. Past city councils set the levels in the city. It is PD command staff who determine how street officers respond. So step up, put your money where mouth is and call the Chief to tell him you want other calls ignored in favor of your feelings toward illegal fireworks. Maybe he will listen for next year.
In my opinion ...
Inattentional blindness (http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Inattentional_blindness) the failure to notice a fully-visible, but unexpected object because attention was engaged on another task, event, or object.
On the other hand, the closer we get to contract negotiations, there is a thing called Intentional Blindness.
Now, do I think ANY of CMPD would look the other way on serious crime or not go through a door, even at Righeimer's home? NO, NO WAY.
But, do I think some boys in blue play games for the union and fan flames of a gullible public? YES! ALL THE TIME.
That is the way the game get's played. In Costa Mesa and in many if not all places.
Look at the Cops Lawyers. They wrote a playbook of how to do it.
We are lucky that we have a city council that will stand up to unions.
If anyone is to blame it is the CMFD Union. They through the boys in blue under the bus. FF's negotiated their contract so it is CMPD Union and only that Union that has a contract coming up.
Stand up...who's fanning flames here? In fact you are throwing fire bombs (lies). The FF negotiated their contract because it was up. The general employees have been up since March, no negotiation yet. The PD contract isn't up until 2014.
Clearly by the comments from you and those like you, you are all chomping at the bit to get what you perceive as your pound of flesh from the PD. this isn't about "standing up to unions" it's about political payback against those who weren't afraid to stand toe to toe and play your game.
Stand up, I caught your reference to the union playbook a few back.
Let’s talk about playbooks. Scariest ever: the playbook for the singular version of GOP politics some of your Council folk practice. You got 5 Republicans on board. 3 of them are not reading from the same book as the rest of us. I mean that anyway you could take it. The “book” they base their political operations on is surreal. The new “rules” made up by these guys stomp all over traditional GOP values and practice.
A lot of Newport Beach Republicans shake their heads and laugh at you poor guys, you got stuck with a bunch of pay-to-play, petty, spiteful, incompetent loonies whose playbook includes intimidation, lying, revenge, micromanaging, favoritism, paybacks, kickbacks, etc. From comments here I see you guess at a lot but you don’t know the half of it. I see where the sausage is made and sometimes just can’t hold in my contempt any longer.
Here’s a few examples from the chief misleaders:
“When the facts aren’t on your side, learn how to manipulate facts to further your political goals and undermine your enemies. Just kep repeating it, stick to it, say it every chance you get. If you repeat it enough the public will start to accept it as fact. Before and after polls prove it works. It’s a proven technique”. “Brown Act has no consequences. Don’t worry about it.” “Don’t worry about fair play, concentrate on whtever gets results” “Don’t worry about the rules, we make the rules” “If you’re skirting the rules ( read “breaking the rules in an illegal way) cover your tracks. If you don’t know how, talk to someone experienced” BTW, this is where Dave Ellis wasn’t careful. Arrogance can be it’s own punishment.
If these fringe folks keep at it, it will fracture the Party, as it has already began to do. The brand is ruined in the eyes of many loyalists.
So now will there be posts about the “Real” Republicans? That will be from the little clique of real hypocrites.
Dear Johnny
Unlike Point Break, pd could not catch the firework bandits in the end.
Like our political advisors say, Som Ting Wong ... do not worry. By the next election cycle the cop union lawfirm will be foumd guilty. Heads will role. Candidates will not have to raise funds and Charter will pass as a result of PD use of free costly free speach.
One reason we do not have more foreworks citations is that the pd union has fought hiring of reserves. And prohibits use of jon sworn personel
Outsource fireworks...there ya' go with lies again. Blocked hiring reserves? Never happened. Limiting use of non-sworn? Please explain (it's a lie by the way).
And wow, just wow...are you really stating that you and your klan are so petty and so vindictive that you will seek revenge for the exercise of a constitutionally protected right? Really?
See the post above from a nony mouse...looks like you are working an angle here. Keep the lies coming. They will be your undoing. Don't let your ego write checks you can't cash.
Outsource fireworks abatement......Please source your contention that the cops have fought the hiring of reserves? Please give us anything.
Please source your contention that the cops prohibit the use of sworn officers to enforce fireworks laws? Again, p,ease give us any policy, article or anything else to prove your claims.
And exactly why will the charter pass if the former association law firm is found guilty of any impropriety? Righeimer did his best to make it an issue before last election and his charter scheme/power grab still got voted down by 20% in a plurality Republican city. How would that a difference?
Dave (way up there), I take exception to your contention that the sale of legal fireworks and illegal fireworks have no connection. Maybe physically, but when Mensinger opened up this city to multiple days of fireworks, it sent a message that it was okay to blow up whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted. Righeimer made sure there weren't enough cops to be able to handle the job properly and they had to minimize the importance of the illegal fireworks. I BLAME MENSINGER AND RIGHEIMER FOR THIS! AND ITS ALL BECAUSE OF GREED AND PETTY VINDICTIVENESS.
I'm just totally digging on all the 'Point Break' references on this one. "I am AN FBI AGENT!!!"
The lies, not so much.
Speaking of lies, back to the main topic, our big party. Since when can you call a flat-out lie (flyers posted on ticket booths saying 'buy your Foo Fighters tickets' and other announcements, including tweets on the City's very own Twitter page), be chalked up as a 'miscommunication by staff'? Who authorized that huge lie? A lie is a lie - just own up to it. All they had to say was 'DAVE GROHL IS PLAYING,' which was the simple and EPIC truth.
Instead, they lied, because they can and do, all the time. Can't wait to see how much money the city lost on this one, but that was an awesome Chevy Metal show! Best song of the night - 'Under Pressure.' I think that applies nicely to those in charge.
We have an idea.
Although fireworks 2 times a night outside local control are unlikely to be that loud if one does have a complaint they could call Greg Ridge.
Ridge is the Union boss front man. Ridge is a union pawn through which Union boss Bernadino laundered union dues in the last election.
Remember the Repair Costa Mesa that fanned the flames of dividing our city?
That was Greg Ridge.
So if you want to complain then call Greg Ridge to tell union boss now fair board member Bernadino to knock it off.
Or you can call Katrina Foley. She is starting her city council campaign.
Greg Ridge is one powerful dude....He defeated the OCGOP's charter efforts,vandalized the Pop warner bins with the words "KKK" Die N****", he runs the Fairboard and has control over local fireworks. All this and he never has to sit through a public meeting or wear shoes.I hear he works for a few free hot dogs off the OCEA wagon too.
Impressive guy, no wonder your so scared.
Wyatt,
"I'm confident when given the choice, your neighbors, obviously not you, would understand the priority thing when given the choices between responding to the calls listed above.
Further, I have no doubt whatsoever you are the type who would scream bloody murder if the cops prioritized an illegal firework call over someone trying to fight you/break into your house or car/firing actual shots into the air/has crashed into you/ etc."
Nice rhetorical trick, but you know damn well what I am talking about - the utter lack of meaningful fireworks enforcement.
We all know, especially you and the dispatchers, where the real fireworks hotspots are, yet nothing is done.
No one is saying - myself least of all - that you should not respond to a fight, break-in or other crime in progress to go chase down a loud bang. Don't be an ass.
What I am saying, and you have essentially acknowledged, is that CMPD isn't actively or proactively doing anything about illegal fireworks. You have to be there to see it happen, so responding to calls is futile, right?
A plainclothes or motor unit could go sit on any of a dozen hotspot streets and write plenty of citations or even make an arrest or two. But that didn't happen.
The why is for you to explain - and it would be great if you backed off on the rhetoric.
Nice try....As I said before, we can agree to disagree. I have only given you facts. Your unwillingness to accept those facts does not make them rhetoric. CMPD officers on July 4th operated under guidelines provided by command staff officers and department policy. Sorry you are unable to accept that.
The only other fact I will add is basic patrol integrity. Officers must constantly be aware of calls for service holding and what their fellow officers are doing. If they are aware of a known "hotspot" as you seem to believe, they must balance the calls holding versus the officers that are already busy so that emergency and priority calls can be handled. In other words, if you are the only officer available, you wouldn't head towards a "hotspot" at say Tustin and 19th, because you will be that much further away if an emergency or priority call goes out at say, Adams and Harbor. Sorry, but that is reality in every city in OC.
Wyatt,
I DO appreciate your calm attempts to provide facts here, but I know you realize that those with whom you are waltzing really don't care about facts because they get in the way of their opinions. That's the saddest part of our situation here in good old Costa Mesa. Members of the power elite (that word seems somehow very wrong) that currently hold this city in a stranglehold and those that follow their lead are not really concerned about what is best for the city - they're concerned about what is best for a political ideology and the political future of a couple of them. They've demonstrated for more than two years that they're willing to sacrifice the safety of the residents, business owners and visitors to this city toward that end.
Thanks for your contributions here... keep them coming.
To the person or persons trying to dialogue with the public safety union shills there is a phrase that may help you.
Do not cast pearls to swine.
The unions have not learned a lesson and will again be defeated.
None of this matters. November 2014 is what matters.
Let us all hope these high testosterone alpha dogs learn nothing and put together a bigger and bolder mobile billboard.
@We have not forgotten: I find it exceptionally ironic that you write a post full of hubris and vitriol and quote the word of God to emphasize your point. To take the actions and words of man and attempt to support them with the word of God is in itself sinful. You quoted Matthew 7:6 ("Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you."). Clearly the actual meaning of this scripture is lost on you, or you don't understand it and only use it as it seems to suit your argument. In this particular scripture, Jesus was talking about discipleship. It is our duty as Christians to try to set a Godly example and be good disciples of God's word. Jesus was speaking allegorically in this passage. The meaning of which is: "do not persist in offering what is of value to those who have no appreciation for it." You apparently take issue with those attempting to "dialogue with public safety union shills" and offer that passage as advice.
You apparently continue to harbor ill feelings over the actions of the police association from three years ago. The book of Matthew also speaks of forgiveness. The parable of the unforgiving servant is particularly insightful. "Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. " -Matthew 18:21-22.
On the issue of forgiveness, your pen name here speaks volumes. "We have not forgotten." While the old saying "forgive and forget" is in itself not from scripture, the idea is certainly Godly in its nature. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But, if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15. Seems pretty clear. Perhaps you ought to do some introspection and offer grace in spite of your pent up feelings.
You see, to be a person of faith you must be slow to anger and quick to forgive. (Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry-James 1:19). That is especially true as a leader or those who would advise those who lead (that in itself could be a whole separate scriptural discussion!)
Finally, I leave you with this: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9. I often think of this scripture as I suit up to keep the peace in our community. I know that I am a sinner. We all are, and to think otherwise is ludicrous. You can't pick and choose what scripture means to you, then try to use the word as a shield.
You can either be a peacemaker or you can spread rhetoric wrapped in the word of God; you will have to choose which is of more benefit to the community. Thanks for sparking this discussion of Matthew.
Thank you Peace Officer. As a Costa Mesa resident, I am proud you are part of our force.
Wyatt,
Thanks for the information, it is sincerely appreciated. You hit the nail on the head -
CMPD officers on July 4th operated under guidelines provided by command staff officers and department policy.
There is a lot of talk, in response to the annual cry for enforcement, of cracking down and zero tolerance towards illegal fireworks. As you note, the reality is the opposite.
So, how do you fix that? Do what Newport does and contract with other agencies for extra help on the 4th and surrounding days? Create specific fireworks details that focus solely on illegal fireworks?
Obviously, even with 26 officers on duty, it was not enough, especially when fireworks are low on the crime totem pole.
If any of the anti-fireworks posters think that banning legal fireworks will in any way slow down the illegal fireworks, you are mistaken.
You still need CMPD to enforce the prohibition, and with less than 20% of fireworks calls responded to this year, it is very clear that CMPD cannot handle the fireworks problem in Costa Mesa.
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