Rappin' With Ramos

RAMOS ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY
As most already know, my Eastside neighbor, Lee Ramos, announced his candidacy for a City Council seat in the fall at a shindig at lame duck councilman Gary Monahan's gin mill earlier this week.  Bradley Zint wrote a nice piece about the event in the Daily Pilot, HERE.  If you've not seen it please DO read it because it contains some interesting quotes from Lee.

THINKING ABOUT IT
Sometimes an event will get my creative juices flowing, as was the case this time.  I thought about Lee's candidacy and out came as a rhyme.  (Oops, gave it away, didn't I?)

SING ALONG TO THE BEAT

So, please sing along with "Lee" on the following string of verse. 
First we'll need to establish the beat.  It should go something like this:

Ka-thumpa Bump Bump
Ka-thumpa Bump Bump
Ka-thumpa Bump Bump
Ka-thumpa Bump Bump 

Got it?  OK, here we go...  Ah, One, Ah, Two...

Well, hello there, everybody
My name is Lee,
And I'll be any kind of candidate
That you want me to be.

A little wiggle to the left
A little waffle to the right,
And I can look like a chameleon
All day or night.

I've lived in Costa Mesa
For 47 years,
Yes, I'm a Latino
But don't have any fears.

Last time I had an identity crisis
That anyone could see,
People thought I was Asian
Because my signs said "Vote for Lee".

But half way through the cycle
I changed my campaign team,
And my tactics became
Much more mainstream.

The signs now proclaimed
That Ramos is your guy,
But Latinos don't vote
So why even bother to try?

Everybody loved me
As I went door to door,
But it just didn't show up
On my election score.

But this time around
I'm going to be everybody's man,
And I might even show up at forums
To try to explain my plan.

In my announcement I said
"Balance will be the key",
And that is really true
As you're about to see.

I'll tip-toe atop the fence
With very special care,
I won't be forced to take a position
Because that's just not fair.

When asked about an issue
And without even knowing,
I'll stick my finger in the wind
To see which way it's blowing.

The difference this time
Is that "I know what's right",
It's only taken seven decades
Because I'm not very bright.

I'm going to be my own man
And not join any slates,
And this time I might even
Participate in debates.

And if you vote for Lee
Please don't fret,
Because what you see
Is what you're gonna get.

 I'm a man with few positions
To tell you all about,
And for those few I do have
I can hardly get the words out.

But my pals really want me
In this next council race,
To suck off some votes from others
And throw them off their pace.

I can't beat Steve or Sandy
Each will likely hold their seat,
But Gary's slot is open
And Jay's probably the guy to beat.

It's quite early in the race
But it looks like Bunyan's back again,
Last time he finished dead last
Because losing is his game.

And I hear rumors that the CMPS babe
Julie something-or-other is her name,
May also run this time
Quite a change for she of "fake innocent" fame.

Her presence on the ballot
Like clueless Rita the last time,
Makes no sense at all
So I won't even bother with a rhyme.

I don't know if this time
I'll be walking and knocking on your door,
I sued a city contractor because I hurt myself
And my old body's still mighty sore.

But if you happen to see me
Waddling down your street,
Be sure to stop me
For a little meet-and-greet.

I'll be the old fella
With gray hair and a great tan,
And I'd love to tell you
Just why I am your man.

But please don't ask me any questions
With answers that are too hard,
Or I may just go and pass out
Right there in your front yard.

Next fall you'll have lots of choices
To fill a council slot,
And most of them will be better than me
But I thought I'd give it a shot.

So let me leave you with this final thought
Lee Ramos is your guy,
But for the life of me
I just can't figure out why.

Smart Growth Initiative Petitions Submitted To City

MORE THAN 6,900 SIGNATURES
Early this afternoon representatives of the grass roots organization Costa Mesa First trekked to Costa Mesa City Hall to turn in 427 Petition pages bearing more than 6,900 signatures in an attempt to qualify their so-called Smart Growth Initiative for the November, 2016 ballot.  Fighting a cold, I chose to stay home rather than attend and spread that "wealth", but you can read Bradley Zint's first person account in the Daily Pilot HERE.  And, you can read the entire initiative plus the City Attorney summary on the Costa Mesa First website, HERE.  (Photo credits to Mary Spadoni)

HUMPHREY MEASURES THE STACK
Former City Councilman Jay Humphrey, one of those very busy activists who created this initiative, was on hand for the event and presented the pile of paper - 11 inches - to City Clerk Brenda Green.

TIRELESS CREW
The signature gathering process has taken months and the deadline was this week.  The husband and wife team of Rick Huffman and Cynthia McDonald plus the tireless Mary Spadoni were also on hand.  According to Zint, and others, a total of 6,918 signatures were presented and 6,908 will be delivered to the Orange County Registrar of Voters Tuesday so he can begin the certification of the signatures.  4,995 were required to qualify for the ballot.

STUPID COMMENTS FROM POLITICIANS
As you read Zint's article you'll find quotations from Mayor Steve Mensinger and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer.  Perhaps the funniest one was attributed by Zint to Mensinger.  He apparently said, "It's bad for public safety".  Really?  This from a guy who has made life miserable for the Costa Mesa Public Safety family ever since he took office, teaming with Righeimer to create such a toxic work environment that many seasoned police officers have bailed out.

DEVELOPER GRAVY TRAIN
Both Mensinger and Righeimer are developers themselves, and have made life easy for their pals in the development business by creating a Small Lot Ordinance which codified many variances to normal projects - making it easier for their pals to put up projects that would have been questionable in the past.

KUDOS, AND NOW THE FUN BEGINS
Kudos to those mentioned above, plus the dozens of other volunteers who walked neighborhoods and set up tables on street corners to gather signatures.  We should know later this month just how many of those signatures made the cut.  If there are more than 4,995 then the initiative will appear on the November ballot.  If it qualifies you can expect a full court press by Mensinger, Righeimer and their sycophants on the Planning Commission, PLUS a ton of money coming into the city from developers to fight this.  It's going to be especially interesting for Mensinger, who will likely run for re-election.  It will be interesting to see how he fabricates the "facts" of this initiative while trying to get people to believe him.  It's going to be an interesting year, for sure.

Loss Of Affordable Housing Protested

VIEWING THE DEMONSTRATION
A funny thing happened on the way to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting last night!  I stopped on the way to view the peaceful demonstration by members of the Costa Mesa Affordable Housing Coalition and other concerned residents to protest the planned demolition of the 236-room Costa Mesa Motor Inn and in its place erect a 224-room luxury apartment complex, which will result in the loss of some of the few remaining "homes" for very low or low income residents.

POLICE PRESENCE
I perched across the street from the Costa Mesa Motor Inn, arriving just before 5:00 p.m. - the announced start time of the demonstration - and saw a Costa Mesa Police car staged in the exit of the Home Depot shopping center, watching.  He left shortly after I arrived, heading north on Harbor Boulevard for parts unknown.

WATCHING THE GROWING GROUP
I parked in the parking lot adjacent to McDonald's nearby and leaned against a light pole on Harbor Boulevard and began observing the demonstrators as they formed-up across the street.  When I arrived there were already nearly 50 people - men, women and children - lined up along the curb, waving to the passing traffic and holding signs of all shapes and sizes.

BRAD ZINT ON THE SCENE
I noticed Daily Pilot reporter Bradley Zint arrive and begin to chat with folks.  In this image he's talking, or rather, listening to organizer Kathy Esfahani.  You can read his coverage of this event, including interviews with participants and tenants, HERE.  You'll see him in other images I took yesterday afternoon.

MANY FAMILIAR FACES
I spent approximately 30 minutes, standing, watching and photographing.  I think you'll get a flavor for the event as you scroll down through the images I've provided.  I saw many familiar faces - many folks who are concerned enough about civic affairs that they take time out of their busy lives to study issues, write to officials, speak at meetings, participate on committees, run for office and attend events like this one.  You'll probably recognize a few yourself.

WHAT EFFECT WILL THIS HAVE?
I found myself wondering just what effect this demonstration will have on the elected officials that will make the final decision on the future of the planned development on that site.  According to reports from the owner and some residents, things are much, much better now that the owner has instituted what amounts to a "lock down" condition at the Costa Mesa Motor Inn.  And, in theory, he's "taking care of" those residents who pay their rent and keep their rooms serviceable until they are eventually evicted before demolition of the building, sometime next spring or fall.  August was mentioned as the departure date.  He said he will return three months paid rent plus $1,500 dollars to tenants who stick it out until that date under the terms he prescribed.  That's hardly enough to find permanent housing in Costa Mesa, but it might be enough for a starting point elsewhere.

A PERFECT CHOICE
An interesting side note.  At the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, one of the items on the agenda is the request for permission to place a tree, bench and plaque in the memory of Frank P. Forbath, the long-time resident and activist for the downtrodden.  I couldn't help but notice that his widow, Jean, and their daughter, Kathy Esfahani, were among the demonstrators.  They chose to participate here rather than attend the meeting where a memorial to Frank was happening.  It seemed somehow perfectly correct and exactly what Frank would have preferred.  Spoiler alert - the memorial to Frank was approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

A SURPRISE ENCOUNTER
As the sun set behind the Costa Mesa Motor Inn and the, by now, around 100 demonstrators, and I was getting ready to depart for the meeting at City Hall, a young couple departing the shopping center behind me on foot stopped to ask me what was going on.  I told them about the demonstration and answered a couple of their questions.  As they left I asked where they were from, since they had the look of tourists.  They said "back east", which I found out meant north of Boston.  I asked where they were staying and was surprised when they told me the name of a sober living facility - and proudly admitted they were here because of heavy drug and alcohol use!  I wished them well and they walked on up the street.  Something's always happening in Costa Mesa....

Solid Landings Sues City and Citizen(s)

YOU'VE READ ZINT'S ARTICLE, RIGHT?
By now you may have read Brad Zint's piece in the Daily Pilot, HERE, in which he discusses the lawsuit filed last Friday by Sober Living operator Solid Landings Behavioral Health, Sure Haven and Rock Solid Recovery against the City of Costa Mesa and DOES 1 through 100, inclusive and Ann Parker plus the grass roots organization "Take Back Our Neighorhoods" - TBON and more than 1,000 "DOES", as in John Doe.  I don't know if that organization, TBON, even exists any longer, nor if there is a membership roster in existence.  I do know it was a loosely-organized grass roots organization of concerned residents who were looking for relief from the influx of sober living establishments in our city.

A GOOD JOB, BUT...
Zint does a good job of providing you with the skeleton of the suit in his article.  I've seen the 61 page complaint and, according to the information contained therein, the folks at Solid Landings, etal (I'm just going to refer to them as "Solid Landings" for ease of typing), want a judgment against the City as follows (my shorthand of the actual text):
1) The City to set aside its denial of the original request;
2) The court to judge that the denial and associated decisions are unconstitutional, invalid and of no force and effect;
3) For declaratory relief;
4) For costs of the suit, including reasonable attorney's fees;
5) For other such equitable or legal relief, or both as the Court deems just and proper.

ANDRANIAN CHANGED HIS MIND
It is my understanding that, when Ann Parker filed her request to overturn the Zoning Administrator's approval of the minor conditional use permit, she had been under the impression that rookie Planning Commissioner Stephan Andranian, a lawyer, was going to "pull it up" - ask for the decision to be reviewed by the Planning Commission.  However, on the last day that such an action could be taken Parker was told by Andranian, for reasons known only to him, that he changed his mind and would NOT be requesting a review.  So, she had no recourse except to dash to City Hall, scratch out her request for review and pay the $690.00 in fees to meet the filing deadline.

BOTH THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND COUNCIL AGREED
Subsequently, based on her presentation to the Planning Commission, that body reversed the Zoning Administrators approval.  That decision was then appealed by Solid Landings to the full City Council, which also upheld the denial of the permit. 

INSUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLY
The lawsuit implies that Solid Landings had insufficient time to comply with the conditions of approval imposed by the original Zoning Administrators decision before the issue was reviewed by the Planning Commission.  I don't know if that's the case...

CHILLING EFFECT ON ACTIVISTS
I don't know how this will shake out.  I DO know the impact it is having on many residents of this city - some of whom have joined Parker over the past couple of years in speaking out against what they perceive to be a infestation of sober living homes throughout our neighborhoods, particularly on the Eastside of our city.  Many of those folks are fearful of being dragged into this lawsuit because they have exercised their right of free speech to tell the Planning Commission and City Council how they felt about these businesses in our town.  I, personally, have no doubt that this will stifle some community activism... and perhaps that's really the purpose of this lawsuit... I don't know.

NEW ORDINANCES
The City has passed an ordinance governing sober living establishments in R-1 zones and is poised to pass a second ordinance covering all other residential zones throughout the city.  Parker has been a persistent observer of sober living activities - perhaps the most persistent - and has been personally responsible for providing information about the location of sober living homes in our community to the City for their records.  In my opinion, we should be grateful for her tireless efforts to help establish controls over such businesses in our town.

WE NEED RECOVERY FACILITIES, BUT...
Few people will deny the need for recovery services for folks with alcohol and drug addiction problems.  According to some recent proclamations by members of the City Council, the recovery business is a $35 BILLION per year business.  It has been widely reported that Costa Mesa now contains well over one quarter of all sober living facilities in Orange County.  One recent speaker - a long-time operator of a sober living home in Costa Mesa - told the audience at a recent meeting that "this is all about the money."  She said that Obamacare has provided so much money for recovery that homes are popping up all over town.  She said, "I sure wouldn't want to live next door to one!"

CITY SHOULD COVER PARKER'S LEGAL COSTS
 Zint mentioned that Parker chose not to comment for his article on advice of an attorney.  I'm happy if she has legal representation in this matter, but one attorney who has worked for the City in the past has recently opined that the City should be covering whatever legal costs she incurs in this matter.  I agree with that assessment.  All Parker did was attempt to follow the rules as presented to her and was successful in her presentation of facts to not one, but two official City bodies.  Although City officials refused to refund her filing fee, in my view they have a clear obligation to pay for her legal defense in this matter.

WHAT WILL THE IMPACT BE?  WE SHALL SEE...
This will be interesting to watch as it unfolds in the weeks to come.  It will be interesting to see if the sledgehammer of a lawsuit does, in fact, stifle the expression of public opinion on this subject in our city.

Group Launches Initiative To Protect Fairview Park

PROTECTING OUR "CROWN JEWEL"
A group of activists has launched an initiative designed to protect Fairview Park from any kind of future development efforts.

INITIATIVE PRESENTED LAST FRIDAY
On Friday, September 18, 2015, representatives of the group Fairview Park Preservation Alliance presented an initiative to the Brenda Green, Costa Mesa City Clerk, for processing.  Now that document will be vetted by the City Attorney and, as was the case with the so-called Smart Growth initiative, he will produce a summary document and a title by which this new initiative will be known.

THE TIMETABLE
Once that process is complete - it must be returned to the proponents by October 2nd - they will have 180 days in which to gather signatures of registered Costa Mesa voters - at least 5,500, but will probably need 8,000 - 9,000 to be sure.  Once those signatures are presented to the City Clerk, she and her staff will accept them, count them, then present them to the Orange County Registrar of Voters.  His staff will then have 30 days in which to verify every single one of the signatures for validity.  Assuming all that goes well, the initiative will qualify for the November, 2016 ballot.

THE PURPOSE
Although I've seen the text submitted to the City Clerk, I'm not going to publish it yet, just in case there are changes.  However, from that text, the purpose for this initiative is:

• Keep Fairview Park as a natural and open space as documented in the Fairview Park Master Plan as defined in November, 2008.
• Give the citizens of Costa Mesa a voice in determining whether the development of a project beyond the As Built condition of Fairview Park shall be allowed or not.  In this case "As Built" means the amenities and alterations that have been built in Fairview Park as of the effective date of the ordinance.
• Ensure that the Costa Mesa officials provide timely, accurate and unbiased review of any such proposed development or change to Fairview Park.
• Ensure that the Citizens of Costa Mesa receive all necessary and accurate environmental and relevant information needed to cast an informed vote on any such proposed development or change. 

OPPOSITION MOUNTING ALREADY
It will come as no surprise that opposition to this initiative is already mounting, even though - in theory - nobody has yet seen it.  That's kind of how it works, isn't it?

WHY?  HERE'S MY GUESS
Although I've not spoken with any of the proponents of this initiative about WHY they felt it was necessary, the actions over the past couple of years make it pretty easy to figure out.

THE STACKED FAIRVIEW PARK CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
For example, the very obvious attempt to ramrod playing fields into at least part of Fairview Park using the stacked Fairview Park Citizen's Advisory Committee as a tool demonstrated to many observers that some currently in power wish to plow under large parts of Fairview Park and install any manner of recreational amenities.  During those meetings at least 90% of the folks who attended and spoke to the committee preferred Fairview Park to remain in it's current state.  Dr. Richard Mehren, (shown here with vice chair Steve Smith) the man who is largely responsible for The City purchasing Fairview Park originally and the chairman of the FPCAC until he abruptly resigned in protest at a meeting near the end of their deliberations, is a participant in the group sponsoring this initiative.

THE INFAMOUS "DG TRAIL"
The destruction of the vernal pools by replacing a user-defined trail by overlaying a decomposed granite road is another perfect example of this kind of ill-regard protected habitat is held in the eyes of some in power.  That intentional, misguided effort has resulted in nearly $20,000 in remediation and the ill-will of the United States Fish and Wildlife Department.  That debacle is not yet over - we're still waiting for the other shoe to drop - which could mean the removal of The City's stewardship of Fairview Park and sanctions imposed on individuals involved.

EDUCATE YOURSELVES
I'll keep you informed on this issue as it moves along.  As is the case with the Smart Growth initiative, I suggest each of you read it and try to understand it BEFORE signing the petitions that will be making their way around town.  You can find the Facebook page for the sponsoring group HERE.  The contact person for this group is Larry Courter who can be reached at lcourter@fairviewparkadvocates.com.  Their mission statement reads as follows:

"Our Fairview Park Preservation Alliance mission is to sustain Fairview Park as an open space, undeveloped, natural park, for public enjoyment in perpetuity. We strive to preserve, enhance, and protect Fairview Park for present and future generations."

THE DAILY PILOT STORY

For more information read Brad Zint's story in the Daily Pilot, published an hour ago, HERE.

Fountain Valley Plans 8-Story LED Sign

THE GLARE OF NEIGHBORLINESS
Our neighbors to the north, the City of Fountain Valley, is moving forward with plans for an 8-story LED message sign to be erected barely within their city limits that will create a huge chunk of visual blight for residents of Costa Mesa.  You can read Brad Zint's piece in the Daily Pilot HERE.  You can also read about this issue on the Costa Mesa web site, HERE. 

INTRUSIVE LIGHT BLIGHT

Officials from the City of Costa Mesa have persistently expressed their opposition to this message board, which will tower above traffic flowing past on the I-405 Freeway and the neighboring Costa Mesa neighborhoods.  There are links on that Costa Mesa page to some of the correspondence and it is my understanding that CEO Tom Hatch has written a strongly worded letter to Fountain Valley City Manager, Bob Hall, on the issue today.

HEARING TOMORROW NIGHT
This item will be heard by the Fountain Valley Planning Commission at it's meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12, 2015 in the Fountain Valley City Council Chambers at 10200 Slater Avenue, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  You can read the staff report HERE.  Don't let the size of the staff report scare you off.  It's 207 pages, but the issue at hand is Public Hearing #4, early in the agenda.  It will be helpful for residents of Costa Mesa to speak to the Planning Commission to make their feelings known about this issue.  You may also communicate with the Fountain Valley City Manager and Planning Commission by sending an email here: fvproud@fountainvalley.org

Mayor's Arrogance Knows No Bounds

THE ROOKIE'S PETULANCE
Tonight in the Daily Pilot, HERE, Bradley Zint presents us with the story that Rookie Mayor Steve Mensinger wants to conduct a "community consensus survey" regarding the future of Fairview Park.

A STACKED COMMITTEE
The Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee has met for the best part of two years on this issue.  That committee was stacked with enough cronies to sway the agenda toward increased playing fields if push came to shove.  The ratio was further tilted when Frank Davern replaced the deceased David Stiller.

ARROGANCE
Mensinger is quoted by Zint as saying, "Some people want nothing.  Some want trails.  Some want sports fields.  This is an opportunity for the community to come up with a consensus solution, as opposed to what's happening now: rhetoric and misinformation."  What a crock!  Mensinger mentions "condos and casinos", but I've heard nobody utter those words at the meetings.  That's just a red herring to open up this issue.

MENSINGER HEARD, BUT IGNORED, THE PEOPLE
Until he was elected mayor Mensinger was the council liaison to the committee.  He sat through most of the meetings.  He saw the turnout of residents and others interested in the welfare of Fairview Park.  I sat through most of those meetings, too.  I heard those voices.  I heard the experts talk about the protected species and the sacred Native American grounds within the boundaries of the park.  I also heard representatives of youth sports groups who wanted to carve out a few more playing fields in the park.

A LENGTHY, THOUGHTFUL PROCESS
I watched the process by which the committee set about fulfilling what they thought was their charter.  I watched as they submitted thirty-five (35) separate issues to be discussed as possible additions/refinements for the park.  I watched as they took each quadrant at a time and made careful, reasoned decisions on each of those issues for each quadrant.  I watched as the staff prepared lengthy reports for their consideration.  I've written about each of those meetings.

HOME STRETCH - THE SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
Having addressed the other three quadrants and having made few changes, the committee is now down to the home stretch - consideration of the future of the Southeast Quadrant - the one most likely to have the playing fields advocates salivating because it represents the biggest chunk of relatively level ground left.  It does include the Orange County Model Engineers (OCME) train infrastructure - which has been an institution in the park for decades and for whom the agreement was just extended for another five (5) years.

TRAINS AND FIELDS CANNOT CO-EXIST
Addressing that last issue, the trains, Mensinger is quoted by Zint as saying that if sports fields are added, "the trains aren't going anywhere" and could be incorporated alongside the fields.  Well, that issue has already been flogged at length and none of the pro-train guys think that's possible without extensive and very costly reconfiguration of the tracks and other infrastructure.

PROTECTED SPECIES IN JEOPARDY
Zint properly points out the fragile, protected vernal pools and the Native American sites within the park.  Mensinger has demonstrated by his direction to the city staff to carve out a path cutting directly through protected vernal pools - home to the San Diego Fairy Shrimp -  in the Southwest Quadrant, that he really has no concern for the natural elements of the park.  That decision/direction has cost the city nearly $20,000 in mitigation efforts and has U.S. Fish and Wildlife carefully assessing our ability to be responsible stewards for the entire park.  It is possible that they could impose sanctions on the City and individuals for that act of vandalism and severely restrict our ability to do ANYTHING in the park.  That shoe is waiting to drop.

ACT OF A SPOILED KID
This move by Mensinger is nothing more than that of  a spoiled little kid seeing that he is not getting his way, so he's going to chuck the entire process the committee has undergone for nearly two years and try to cobble together a "consensus" to finally get playing fields at the park.  He clearly has not listened to the speakers at the many, many committee meetings - he seems to do that a lot.  He tunes folks out when they are saying something he doesn't like or bores him.  It's as though if it doesn't involve youth sports, then it's not worth his time.

COMMITTEE IN DISARRAY
The Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee is in disarray right now.  Chairman Dr. Richard Mehren - a man who has chaired not only this committee, but the previous iteration of it for fifteen years and was largely responsible for The City of Costa Mesa acquiring the park originally - resigned in a huff at the end of the January 7th meeting.  Member Brett Eckles was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission and must give up his voting position on the committee.  That leaves Vice Chair Steve Smith, quoted extensively in Zint's article; Anna Vrska; Terry Cummings; Ron Amburgey; Frank Davern; Dennis Popp and Lee Ramos on the committee.  I think it's safe to say that the last four on that list could be considered "pro-fields", although Ramos professed to want to keep the park "natural" on the campaign stump, yet voted to have staff move ahead with plans for fields on the Southeast Quadrant at the January meeting.  Actions speak louder than words.

FEBRUARY MEETING CANCELLED
The meeting scheduled for this month was cancelled because of  botched noticing.  It's just as well, because the staff was having a hard time putting together proper reports requested for the committee to consider.  They were field use options, which presented special challenges for the staff.

FIRST WEEK OF MARCH SHOULD BE INTERESTING
The next meeting would be on Wednesday, March 4th, the day following the council meeting at which, Zint tells us, Mensinger will pitch his idea for a "survey" to the City Council.  I'm thinking both meetings will be filled with interested parties on both sides of the issue.

LIKE RIGHEIMER'S CHARTER DEBACLE
In my view, this is very much like Mayor Pro Tem (pronounced eMPTy) Jim Righeimer's tenacious disregard for the voice of the people on his twice-defeated Charter scheme.  These guys seem to get their minds made up BEFORE public input and just keep charging ahead, even though the will of the people is clear.

NOT NECESSARILY INSANITY, BUT...
That old saw, sometimes attributed to Albert Einstein, about the definition of insanity - doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result - might seem to be a clever jab right about now.  Unfortunately, it's unclear that Einstein ever said that and Psychology Today refutes it.  What is probably more accurate is that this is a sign of Perserveration, which they define as the pathological, persistent repetition of a word, gesture, or act.  This is not to be confused with Perserverance - the steady persistence in a course of action in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

FURTHER...
They go on to say, "Some forms of dementia, traumatic brain injury, anxiety and OCD can cause people to perseverate.  They repeat words and tasks or try repeatedly to solve problems, but are left frustrated and unsatisfied.  They're not necessarily insane, but stuck in a non-productive pattern due to a glitch in brain function."  Uh, huh...  And, near the end of the article I read, HERE, they say, "So how do you tell the difference?  Perseveration feels compulsive, hopeless, helpless, automatic and unsatisfying.  There is a desire to stop, but stopping doesn't feel like an option.  Perserverance feels like striving toward a nobel goal, and whether or not it's reached it there is virtue in the effort.  Perserverance is a strong, valuable quality.  Perseveration is a troubling issue needing clinical attention."

A TANTRUM
So, this move on the part of our Rookie Mayor is basically a little tantrum, demanding to get his way and changing the "playing field", so to speak, to do so.  The discussion of this issue will be illuminating next month.  We plan to be at both meetings to report the results.