Freedom Of Speech Strangled In Costa Mesa
BEGAN POSITIVELY, ENDED BADLY
The Costa Mesa City Council meeting Tuesday began with some very positive notes - wonderful recognition during the Presentations segment - and ended early Wednesday morning with assaults on both the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Civility.
ANOTHER LONG, PAINFUL NIGHT
The meeting, which began promptly at 6:00, finally was adjourned at 1:18 a.m. this morning and, amazingly, there were still nearly two dozen people left in the chambers at that hour! Bear with me on this one - long meeting, long entry. Grab a cup of coffee or a Diet Coke and take your time... If you want to watch the streaming video of the event click HERE.
SOME GOOD STUFF
During the Jennifer Knapp presented a report on the status of the Estancia and TeWinkle Schools Foundation. Created with $1 million in seed money from the Segerstrom Family several years ago, this foundation provides financial support to the two schools involved.
CHIEF GAZSI RECEIVES AWARD
Next was the presentation was made by Costa Mesa Police Sergeant - and Army Reserve Lt. Colonel - Vic Bakkila to Costa Mesa Police Chief Tom Gazsi for his ongoing support of Army Reservists and National Guard members called to active duty. During his presentation of the "Patriot Employers Award" Bakkila stated that Chief Gazsi is without equal in his support for our employees serving our country in the Armed Forces.
MUSTANG VICTORY
Next the Costa Mesa High School Mustang Football Team was
recognized for their victory over Estancia in the annual Battle of the Bell game, and for their league championship. Principal Phil D'Agostino thanked the council for the recognition.
RIGHEIMER AND GENIS JOUST - SHE LOSES
Next came the Public Comments segment at 6:35, when Righeimer and councilwoman Sandra Genis sparred over the proper procedure to be followed. Genis cited state and municipal code that REQUIRES the council to vote BEFORE changes are made to the agenda order. So, a vote was quickly taken and Genis and Wendy Leece came out on the short end of the 3-2 vote and the corruption of the public speaking process continued.
BIFURCATED COMMENTS BEGINS
Ten speakers were given the opportunity to address the council on non-agenda items. The remainder were trailed to the end of the meeting, when seven more speakers who toughed it out stepped up to address the council. That turned out to be 1:00 a.m. this morning! We don't have any idea how many other speakers had turned in cards to speak, but departed because of the late (early) hour. Righeimer, despite the request by one speaker, refused to say how many speaker cards he still held at that time
A NECESSARY ADMONITION
Cynthia McDonald led off at 6:40 with a cautionary criticism for the council, encouraging them to be the models of civility instead of continuing the "us versus them" mentality that has been displayed recently. She directly criticized Righeimer for his distasteful analogy using Genis as a reference of being "smashed in the face" as an example of how decorum has declined recently. Her memory is apparently short because that kind of stuff has been going on ever since Righeimer was elected to the council. And, ironically, it only got worse last night.
THE LONELY GUY
Only one speaker in the first session, Howard Hull, was supportive of the council majority. The remaining 90% of the speakers were critical of the majority as a whole or individually. Most addressed the corruption of the Public Comments, citing the Municipal Code and other authority.
THE TUNESMITH REGALES US - AGAIN
Terry Koken used his three minutes to entertain us with another ditty - the "OCGOP Blues".
MOST CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS "PULLED" - AND TRAILED
Then it was time for the second phase of free-speech quashing - the Consent Calendar. Only three of the fourteen items on the Consent Calendar were NOT pulled, those were voted upon and the "pulled" items - all eleven of them - were trailed to the end of the meeting, just before the remaining Public Comments. That meant the most contentious issue of the evening, Item #14 - the change in the order of the agenda - would be the final issue discussed last night. The discussion commenced at 11:52 p.m.
NEW RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
There actually WAS some city business done last night, though. The council spent twenty minutes on Public Hearing #1, the change in the Residential Design Guidelines before passing it on a 4-1 vote - Leece voted no.
EXTENDED MORATORIUM ON HOOKAH LOUNGES
Public Hearing #2, the extension of the moratorium on Hookah Lounges took less than five minutes and passed on a 5-0 vote.
A TOOL TO FIGHT GROUP HOMES
Old Business #1, the second reading of the re-definition of a "Single Housekeeping Unit" only took a few seconds to pass on a 5-0 vote.
MORE FREE SPEECH DENIAL - "RE-HEARINGS" ELIMINATED
Old Business #2, HERE, the decision to completely delete the opportunity for "re-hearing" of items before the council (another move to quash dissent) took another 35 minutes and generated seven speakers unhappy with this scheme. Normally mild-mannered educator Tamar Goldmann told the council this was "just plain stupid". Chris McEvoy - apparently emerging from a long hiatus - told the council that re-hearings were for our protection and it shouldn't be passed just for their convenience. One amusing, and telling, comment by Righeimer may give you a clue about how business is ACTUALLY conducted in our city. He attempted to cite that a council member who felt an issued needed to be addressed could try to convince one other member of the "winning side" to vote for a "re-consideration" of the issue. Well, that sounded very much like he was inviting a serial conversation outside a meeting - a clear and flagrant Brown Act violation. All the debate was futile - it passed on a 3-2 vote. And Righeimer called for a break at 8:40.
CONDOS ON VICTORIA MOVE FORWARD
When they reconvened at 8:53 they took up New Business #1, the 37 Condominium units on Victoria Street at Maple Avenue. Former employee Don Lamm, who left Costa Mesa for a brief stint as City Manager at Westminster, was the developer's representative and began by slathering so much over-the-top flattery on the council that it actually tested my gag reflex. No vote was taken, but direction was given for this screening request and the project will continue.
UPGRADE OF AUDIO/VISUAL INFRASTRUCTURE A "GO"
New Business #2, HERE, was the discussion of spending more than $1.6 million on much needed and very overdue technological enhancements to the City Council Chambers and the entire Audio/Visual support infrastructure. I think everything they asked for is necessary, although I didn't like the redesign of the chambers that removes seating for ten guest to make space for a "work table" for staff. Five speakers rose in support of this project and the council finally approved moving forward with it at 10:10 p.m.
A TOOL TO BLUDGEON MOTEL OWNERS
Next up was New Business #3, the controversial "Excessive Use Of Services" issue, HERE, which was led by Assistant CEO Rick Francis. During the lengthy discussion Genis pointed out that it seemed like a tool that could be used to put somebody out of business. Well, if you recall back several months ago, that's precisely what Righeimer was asking for. He told us all that he wanted to drive the perceived value of some of those properties down so the owners would be more reasonable when they were squeezed out by fines and penalties - and at one point he actually said it might be necessary for the city to buy some of those places at market rates and sell them for a loss to developers to get the property "improved". Well, he's got a tool now and that fact was not lost on representatives of the industry.
RIGHEIMER SETS NEW LOW FOR CIVILITY
Several speakers - either motel owners, operators or representatives of trade associations - stepped up to express general and specific concerns about this ordinance. The low point was when a gentleman named Wilson Wang - President of the Taiwan Hotel/Motel Association of Southern California - stepped up to express his concerns. He mentioned that once a guest checks into a room it is his domain and the motel operators have very little authority to do much about them. As he discussed the fact that his members who operate properties in the city are not feeling very welcome he mentioned the Transient Occupancy Tax, at which point Righeimer abruptly and rudely interrupted him and said, "You can keep your TOT and take care of your property!" Wang, and the rest of us in the audience, were stunned at the rudeness
of the mayor. For a guy who has spent a lot of time in Las Vegas the
past couple of years trying to lure businesses to Costa Mesa, he seems
completely bereft of common courtesy. Later in the meeting he
acknowledged that he gets rude late in meetings. Gee, no kidding!
MORE RUDENESS BY THE "DICTATOR"
According to the mayor, this is a very serious issue in our city, which needs to be fixed by bold action. Well, this bold action has driven him to fits of rudeness not seen on the dais before. During the discussion Genis had the floor and was making a point when Righeimer interrupted her, to which she demanded, "Can I please finish?!" It's becoming very clear that Righeimer is unclear about his role up there on the dais. He apparently thinks being mayor equates to being dictator, because that's exactly how he acts.
SLOPPY STAFF WORK?
Finally, at 11:30, the council voted 5-0 to give the new ordinance a "first reading", and staff will return with some amended language for the second one after the first of the year. In my opinion, this issue continues to be plagued by questionable staff work. It may because Righeimer has so fully immersed himself in the minutia of the issue that the staff is being whipsawed by his capriciousness. Or, it just could be sloppy staff work. The end result is the same.
AND EVEN MORE RUDENESS
During the next twenty minutes the council blitzed through the "pulled" Consent Calendar items. There were a few heated moments, though. Anna Vrska stepped up to ask about Iem #9, the $200,000 request for engineering support services, HERE. As she asked a question Righeimer barked at her, "Why don't you read the staff report?!" Her response was that there were none available in the chambers, so Righeimer read her the riot act. When she paused for a moment, composed herself, then observed that she wasn't quite sure how to respond to such rudeness Righeimer replied, "I'm rude this time of night!" It was a surreal scene... He cut her off and moved on.
FINALLY, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Finally, at 11:52 p.m. Item #14, the Modification to Public Comments and Consent Calendar issue, HERE, was opened up for discussion. Righeimer just turned it over to the Public who wished to speak and Terry Koken led the parade of fourteen (14) speakers who stuck around until midnight to address the council on this important issue. He brought with him a homemade sign that says it all.
A LIST OF ILLUSTRIOUS SPEAKERS
In addition to Koken, speakers included former councilman Jay Humphrey; former Planning Commissioner and member of the City Attorney's office, Eleanor Egan; angry resident Jay Photoglu; retired city planning official Perry Valantine; activist Charlie Mooney; educator Tamar Goldmann; long-time resident and activist Beth Refakes; resident Greg Thunnel; activist and President of Costa Mesans 4 Responsible Government Robin Leffler; member of the Fairview Parks Citizens Advisory Commitee, Anna Vrska; long-time actist and community volunteer Cindy Brenneman; former council candidate and educator Chris McEvoy and former council candidate, businesswoman and community volunteer Sue Lester. Not a single one spoke in favor of the proposed changes. There was NO voice supporting this unilateral move by Righeimer to quash criticism of his actions by bifurcating the Public Comments and trailing the "pulled" Consent Calendar items.
THREE "AMIGOS"? "STOOGES"? YOU DECIDE...
Most of the evening three sycophants of the majority - announced council candidate Lee Ramos, confused and confusing blogger Dennis Popp and major bootlicker of the majority, Howard Hull - sat snuggled together in the back row observing the proceedings and chatting with each other.
DON'T CONFUSE THE MAJORITY WITH FACTS!
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During the council discussion Genis provided some statistics - similar to those presented by Valantine when he spoke - demonstrating that the "Public Comments" were not the problem - that council member comments and lengthy presentations were at least equally to blame for stretching out council meetings. Leece reminded the council of their oath of office - which she read into the record - and that they were elected to SERVE the public, not stifle dissent.
CLUENESS PERSONIFIED
Mayor Pro Tem Steve Mensinger, with a comment almost so obtuse as to be unbelievable, suggested that those folks who felt they were getting shorted in their opportunity to address the council during Public Comments should just give him a call and set up a coffee meeting, where he would be happy to hear them out! The guy is the living embodiment of the term "clueless"! His ego actually lets him believe that a cup of coffee and a chat with him at Starbucks is the same as having the opportunity to air grievances before the entire city council in a public forum! He is one hopeless human being. It's no wonder he doesn't have a job, for goodness sake!
NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT
At precisely 12:58 Wednesday morning - following 65 minutes of discussion, including requests and demands by fourteen members of the public to reconsider his self-serving scheme - Righeimer led a 3-2 vote to officially codify the order of business at Costa Mesa City Council meetings and twenty minutes later he closed the meeting after hearing seven residents finally use their chance for a "Public Comment" during the "trailed" segment.
THE VIGIL BEGINS...
When the meeting was finally adjourned at 1:18 a.m. this morning "Free Speech" in Costa Mesa was placed on life support, joining "Civility" in hospice care in our city. It is now official - when the council meets next in January, 2014 it will be the beginning of an even more oppressive era in our city, where this council majority will use tools they've created to quash dissent and force businesses they don't like out of town.
THE SOLUTION...
There is only one solution to this problem - the ballot box in November, 2014.
FAIRVIEW PARK COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT
Now it's off to the next meeting of the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee at the Neighborhood Community Center(Lions Park) beginning at 6 p.m. today. This one should be even more fun!
ANOTHER LONG, PAINFUL NIGHT
The meeting, which began promptly at 6:00, finally was adjourned at 1:18 a.m. this morning and, amazingly, there were still nearly two dozen people left in the chambers at that hour! Bear with me on this one - long meeting, long entry. Grab a cup of coffee or a Diet Coke and take your time... If you want to watch the streaming video of the event click HERE.SOME GOOD STUFF
During the Jennifer Knapp presented a report on the status of the Estancia and TeWinkle Schools Foundation. Created with $1 million in seed money from the Segerstrom Family several years ago, this foundation provides financial support to the two schools involved.CHIEF GAZSI RECEIVES AWARD
Next was the presentation was made by Costa Mesa Police Sergeant - and Army Reserve Lt. Colonel - Vic Bakkila to Costa Mesa Police Chief Tom Gazsi for his ongoing support of Army Reservists and National Guard members called to active duty. During his presentation of the "Patriot Employers Award" Bakkila stated that Chief Gazsi is without equal in his support for our employees serving our country in the Armed Forces.MUSTANG VICTORY
Next the Costa Mesa High School Mustang Football Team wasrecognized for their victory over Estancia in the annual Battle of the Bell game, and for their league championship. Principal Phil D'Agostino thanked the council for the recognition.
RIGHEIMER AND GENIS JOUST - SHE LOSES
Next came the Public Comments segment at 6:35, when Righeimer and councilwoman Sandra Genis sparred over the proper procedure to be followed. Genis cited state and municipal code that REQUIRES the council to vote BEFORE changes are made to the agenda order. So, a vote was quickly taken and Genis and Wendy Leece came out on the short end of the 3-2 vote and the corruption of the public speaking process continued.BIFURCATED COMMENTS BEGINS
Ten speakers were given the opportunity to address the council on non-agenda items. The remainder were trailed to the end of the meeting, when seven more speakers who toughed it out stepped up to address the council. That turned out to be 1:00 a.m. this morning! We don't have any idea how many other speakers had turned in cards to speak, but departed because of the late (early) hour. Righeimer, despite the request by one speaker, refused to say how many speaker cards he still held at that timeA NECESSARY ADMONITION
Cynthia McDonald led off at 6:40 with a cautionary criticism for the council, encouraging them to be the models of civility instead of continuing the "us versus them" mentality that has been displayed recently. She directly criticized Righeimer for his distasteful analogy using Genis as a reference of being "smashed in the face" as an example of how decorum has declined recently. Her memory is apparently short because that kind of stuff has been going on ever since Righeimer was elected to the council. And, ironically, it only got worse last night.THE LONELY GUY
Only one speaker in the first session, Howard Hull, was supportive of the council majority. The remaining 90% of the speakers were critical of the majority as a whole or individually. Most addressed the corruption of the Public Comments, citing the Municipal Code and other authority. THE TUNESMITH REGALES US - AGAIN
Terry Koken used his three minutes to entertain us with another ditty - the "OCGOP Blues".MOST CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS "PULLED" - AND TRAILED
Then it was time for the second phase of free-speech quashing - the Consent Calendar. Only three of the fourteen items on the Consent Calendar were NOT pulled, those were voted upon and the "pulled" items - all eleven of them - were trailed to the end of the meeting, just before the remaining Public Comments. That meant the most contentious issue of the evening, Item #14 - the change in the order of the agenda - would be the final issue discussed last night. The discussion commenced at 11:52 p.m.NEW RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
There actually WAS some city business done last night, though. The council spent twenty minutes on Public Hearing #1, the change in the Residential Design Guidelines before passing it on a 4-1 vote - Leece voted no.
EXTENDED MORATORIUM ON HOOKAH LOUNGES
Public Hearing #2, the extension of the moratorium on Hookah Lounges took less than five minutes and passed on a 5-0 vote.
A TOOL TO FIGHT GROUP HOMES
Old Business #1, the second reading of the re-definition of a "Single Housekeeping Unit" only took a few seconds to pass on a 5-0 vote.
MORE FREE SPEECH DENIAL - "RE-HEARINGS" ELIMINATED
Old Business #2, HERE, the decision to completely delete the opportunity for "re-hearing" of items before the council (another move to quash dissent) took another 35 minutes and generated seven speakers unhappy with this scheme. Normally mild-mannered educator Tamar Goldmann told the council this was "just plain stupid". Chris McEvoy - apparently emerging from a long hiatus - told the council that re-hearings were for our protection and it shouldn't be passed just for their convenience. One amusing, and telling, comment by Righeimer may give you a clue about how business is ACTUALLY conducted in our city. He attempted to cite that a council member who felt an issued needed to be addressed could try to convince one other member of the "winning side" to vote for a "re-consideration" of the issue. Well, that sounded very much like he was inviting a serial conversation outside a meeting - a clear and flagrant Brown Act violation. All the debate was futile - it passed on a 3-2 vote. And Righeimer called for a break at 8:40.CONDOS ON VICTORIA MOVE FORWARD
When they reconvened at 8:53 they took up New Business #1, the 37 Condominium units on Victoria Street at Maple Avenue. Former employee Don Lamm, who left Costa Mesa for a brief stint as City Manager at Westminster, was the developer's representative and began by slathering so much over-the-top flattery on the council that it actually tested my gag reflex. No vote was taken, but direction was given for this screening request and the project will continue.UPGRADE OF AUDIO/VISUAL INFRASTRUCTURE A "GO"
New Business #2, HERE, was the discussion of spending more than $1.6 million on much needed and very overdue technological enhancements to the City Council Chambers and the entire Audio/Visual support infrastructure. I think everything they asked for is necessary, although I didn't like the redesign of the chambers that removes seating for ten guest to make space for a "work table" for staff. Five speakers rose in support of this project and the council finally approved moving forward with it at 10:10 p.m.A TOOL TO BLUDGEON MOTEL OWNERS
Next up was New Business #3, the controversial "Excessive Use Of Services" issue, HERE, which was led by Assistant CEO Rick Francis. During the lengthy discussion Genis pointed out that it seemed like a tool that could be used to put somebody out of business. Well, if you recall back several months ago, that's precisely what Righeimer was asking for. He told us all that he wanted to drive the perceived value of some of those properties down so the owners would be more reasonable when they were squeezed out by fines and penalties - and at one point he actually said it might be necessary for the city to buy some of those places at market rates and sell them for a loss to developers to get the property "improved". Well, he's got a tool now and that fact was not lost on representatives of the industry.RIGHEIMER SETS NEW LOW FOR CIVILITY
Several speakers - either motel owners, operators or representatives of trade associations - stepped up to express general and specific concerns about this ordinance. The low point was when a gentleman named Wilson Wang - President of the Taiwan Hotel/Motel Association of Southern California - stepped up to express his concerns. He mentioned that once a guest checks into a room it is his domain and the motel operators have very little authority to do much about them. As he discussed the fact that his members who operate properties in the city are not feeling very welcome he mentioned the Transient Occupancy Tax, at which point Righeimer abruptly and rudely interrupted him and said, "You can keep your TOT and take care of your property!" Wang, and the rest of us in the audience, were stunned at the rudeness
of the mayor. For a guy who has spent a lot of time in Las Vegas the
past couple of years trying to lure businesses to Costa Mesa, he seems
completely bereft of common courtesy. Later in the meeting he
acknowledged that he gets rude late in meetings. Gee, no kidding!MORE RUDENESS BY THE "DICTATOR"
According to the mayor, this is a very serious issue in our city, which needs to be fixed by bold action. Well, this bold action has driven him to fits of rudeness not seen on the dais before. During the discussion Genis had the floor and was making a point when Righeimer interrupted her, to which she demanded, "Can I please finish?!" It's becoming very clear that Righeimer is unclear about his role up there on the dais. He apparently thinks being mayor equates to being dictator, because that's exactly how he acts.SLOPPY STAFF WORK?
Finally, at 11:30, the council voted 5-0 to give the new ordinance a "first reading", and staff will return with some amended language for the second one after the first of the year. In my opinion, this issue continues to be plagued by questionable staff work. It may because Righeimer has so fully immersed himself in the minutia of the issue that the staff is being whipsawed by his capriciousness. Or, it just could be sloppy staff work. The end result is the same.AND EVEN MORE RUDENESS
During the next twenty minutes the council blitzed through the "pulled" Consent Calendar items. There were a few heated moments, though. Anna Vrska stepped up to ask about Iem #9, the $200,000 request for engineering support services, HERE. As she asked a question Righeimer barked at her, "Why don't you read the staff report?!" Her response was that there were none available in the chambers, so Righeimer read her the riot act. When she paused for a moment, composed herself, then observed that she wasn't quite sure how to respond to such rudeness Righeimer replied, "I'm rude this time of night!" It was a surreal scene... He cut her off and moved on.FINALLY, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Finally, at 11:52 p.m. Item #14, the Modification to Public Comments and Consent Calendar issue, HERE, was opened up for discussion. Righeimer just turned it over to the Public who wished to speak and Terry Koken led the parade of fourteen (14) speakers who stuck around until midnight to address the council on this important issue. He brought with him a homemade sign that says it all.A LIST OF ILLUSTRIOUS SPEAKERS
In addition to Koken, speakers included former councilman Jay Humphrey; former Planning Commissioner and member of the City Attorney's office, Eleanor Egan; angry resident Jay Photoglu; retired city planning official Perry Valantine; activist Charlie Mooney; educator Tamar Goldmann; long-time resident and activist Beth Refakes; resident Greg Thunnel; activist and President of Costa Mesans 4 Responsible Government Robin Leffler; member of the Fairview Parks Citizens Advisory Commitee, Anna Vrska; long-time actist and community volunteer Cindy Brenneman; former council candidate and educator Chris McEvoy and former council candidate, businesswoman and community volunteer Sue Lester. Not a single one spoke in favor of the proposed changes. There was NO voice supporting this unilateral move by Righeimer to quash criticism of his actions by bifurcating the Public Comments and trailing the "pulled" Consent Calendar items.THREE "AMIGOS"? "STOOGES"? YOU DECIDE...
Most of the evening three sycophants of the majority - announced council candidate Lee Ramos, confused and confusing blogger Dennis Popp and major bootlicker of the majority, Howard Hull - sat snuggled together in the back row observing the proceedings and chatting with each other. DON'T CONFUSE THE MAJORITY WITH FACTS!
During the council discussion Genis provided some statistics - similar to those presented by Valantine when he spoke - demonstrating that the "Public Comments" were not the problem - that council member comments and lengthy presentations were at least equally to blame for stretching out council meetings. Leece reminded the council of their oath of office - which she read into the record - and that they were elected to SERVE the public, not stifle dissent.CLUENESS PERSONIFIED
Mayor Pro Tem Steve Mensinger, with a comment almost so obtuse as to be unbelievable, suggested that those folks who felt they were getting shorted in their opportunity to address the council during Public Comments should just give him a call and set up a coffee meeting, where he would be happy to hear them out! The guy is the living embodiment of the term "clueless"! His ego actually lets him believe that a cup of coffee and a chat with him at Starbucks is the same as having the opportunity to air grievances before the entire city council in a public forum! He is one hopeless human being. It's no wonder he doesn't have a job, for goodness sake!NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT
At precisely 12:58 Wednesday morning - following 65 minutes of discussion, including requests and demands by fourteen members of the public to reconsider his self-serving scheme - Righeimer led a 3-2 vote to officially codify the order of business at Costa Mesa City Council meetings and twenty minutes later he closed the meeting after hearing seven residents finally use their chance for a "Public Comment" during the "trailed" segment.THE VIGIL BEGINS...
When the meeting was finally adjourned at 1:18 a.m. this morning "Free Speech" in Costa Mesa was placed on life support, joining "Civility" in hospice care in our city. It is now official - when the council meets next in January, 2014 it will be the beginning of an even more oppressive era in our city, where this council majority will use tools they've created to quash dissent and force businesses they don't like out of town.THE SOLUTION...
There is only one solution to this problem - the ballot box in November, 2014. FAIRVIEW PARK COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT
Now it's off to the next meeting of the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee at the Neighborhood Community Center(Lions Park) beginning at 6 p.m. today. This one should be even more fun!Labels: Free Speech, Jim Righeimer, Sandra Genis, Steve Mensinger, Tom Gazsi, Wendy Leece
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 12/04/2013 03:52:00 PM
12 Comments:
Mensinger offered me the 'cup of coffee'as a response to a comment I made on his facebook page regarding the lack of transparency of the council majority's agenda. It felt rather creepy to me.
Why does Righeimer hate Costa Mesa so much?
Ahh Riggy
My first time seeing him was at the meet the mayor event on pacific avenue where he ORDERED a public speaker to not say "sneak it in" multiple times. I thought, who does this man think he is? He is a mayor in a public and casual forum. We were hanging out on a driveway, it wasnt a formal meeting-- He clearly has no idea what the limits to his power are/acceptable boundaries between him and other people.
I had no idea how deeply his disdain for the public reaches. But I think in his eyes people and ideas are inconveniences.
I encourage people to read and do research on narcissistic personality disorder. It fits him very closely, too closely. Im not exaggerating when i say i think he needs to see a professional.
For example:
"And their typical reaction to criticism, disagreement, challenges-or sometimes even the mere suggestion that they consider doing something differently-can lead to the "narcissistic rage" that is another of their trademarks. To protect their delicate ego in the face of such intensely felt danger, they're decidedly at risk for going ballistic against their perceived adversary.
All of which indicates just how fragile their artificially bloated sense of self really is."
In this case, the people of the city of costa mesa are his adversaries.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolution-the-self/201110/the-narcissists-dilemma-they-can-dish-it-out
I say all this not with the intention of belittling him; however, i think he has legitimate mental health issues. A man this delicate should not hold a position of such authority.
Do you suppose Riggy's pissed because his coveted position on the Assembly may go to the mayor of Newport? Riggy doesn't stand a chance against him. Darn...we may be stuck with him for another election.
Great report,Geoff.
Thanks for sticking it out till the bitter end last night.
All three councilmen were rude, some exceedingly and obtuse.
One councilman began immediately to chew out and scorn both Wendy and Sandy, with an argument that was dishonest and irrelevant at best. Comparing apples to starfruit, citing their years on the dais, it was ridiculous and insanely rude. As the evening progressed, so did his rudeness.
Their supporters who harp about "civility" in long published screeds can cease and desist now. To continue would frame them as perhaps the biggest hypocrites of all time when you consider who their cherished councilmen are.
The councilmens' agenda is very clear. They got what they wanted last night- curtailed public input and more control over local motels. This is "democracy" ?
My hope is enough Costa Mesa voters are paying attention and vote them out of office.
To Geoff and everyone who was there past 1 AM Wednesday morning speaking out against the current regime- Thank You for being our voices.
I would have liked to see all the speaker cards that for some mysterious reason he did not read. He had already ordained that no one got to speak without a card and couldn’t come speak unless called. He had been punctiliously reading every set all evening, and refusing to let folks speak who did not fill out a card or who turned cards in “too late”. “Too late” seemed to be at the arbitrary whim of the mayor – he never made it clear when the cut off was. Then after denying several would-be speakers, he capriciously allowed one gentleman to speak if he would just fill out a card first!
There were dozens of people there early in the evening who planned to speak or at least witness this hearing take place. It’s another mystery why this item was # 14 on the consent calendar. It was certainly not some uncontroversial little thing “routine in manner” and should have been on the regular Agenda.
I’m also puzzled why he didn’t “move it forward”, because he has often done that when he saw a lot of people were there in chambers for a big item. By 10 a lot of the working folks were gone, after midnight we lost some of the stalwarts who were trying to stick it out. The fact the hearing was maneuvered to so late an hour spoke volumes. Free speech was effectively inhibited.
What encouraged me were the number of new faces at City Hall. Even if they couldn’t stay, it shows more people have woken up to what’s going on.
Mayor to city attorney “Mr Dwarty, what’s the law say about my plan to stifle public comments?”
City attorney to mayor: “ Whatever you want it to say, sir”
I want to cuss out that little blank, but it won’t get printed in this blog. Who the blank does he think he is? What a self-important little despot. My opinion of him and his grandiose manners just went lower if possible. Voters, remember in November. Get rid of him and his $htick.
Costa Mesa has gotten the attention of Hollywood.
HBO is producing a new series about Riggy, Mensy, and their friends!
It's called "Band of Bullies."
Not only was the most controversial item of the year put on the December (holiday-time) agenda, it was also improperly put on the consent calendar so that it would be pulled and dealt with at the end of the meeting. Then it was greatly delayed by lengthy discussions of the plan to update the AV system and other non-urgent stuff.
I feel sorry for the staffers who have to fetch and carry for little Napoleon.
Well , Costa Mesa....
How do you like the "Hope and Change" Riggy is bringing to our fair city?
The Costa Mesa "brand" is a laughing stock!
Enjoy!
Though I hate to repeat myself, I think it's warranted here. Here's what I said:
Mr. Mayor:
Your toady, Dennis Popp, whom I call “Pop Popp” since we established at our last meeting that he is two months oder than I, begins his letter to the Daily Pilot., “The mayor of a city runs a business meeting, not a speakers’ forum.”
Gee, Mr. Mayor, I hate to disabuse a man of his most cherished illusions, but council meetings are brought to consider supplicants who wish to do moneymaking business that, not being of a routine nature, requires horsepower from decision-makers that we, the voters of Costa Mesa, have hired to represent us. These supplicants have a financial interest in your decision – that is, they get paid to come before you. And you, sir, are paid from our hard-earned cash to sit at that dais and make those decisions.
You decision-makers most often have no vague idea what we, the voters, want. Any such knowledge you acquire, you get from our spoken words here. But we, the voters, contribute our time at these meetings, valued from fifty to a thousand dollars an hour, to address you, and to enlighten you. You receive our wisdom, whether or not you decide to accept it, without paying us a nickel.
Freedom of speech is what public comment is all about. Freedom of speech. And you archly inform us that it is perfectly fair for you to delay that freedom by what may amount to six or seven hours – hours that we could use in our own commerce, valuable hours. FREEDOM OF SPEECH DELAYED IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH DENIED. My sign says that; I say that; and I am sure that the courts will say that, if you push this item.
Sir, you damned well do run a speakers’ forum here, regardless of Pop Popp’s blathering. If you don’t get to “public hearings and old and new business until deep into the evening” – suck it up and get used to it. That is what we hired you for.
Seedling, I think you have hit a nail on the head. Mental health issues have been mentioned before with his name attached. Seriously, I think you may be onto something.
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