The Price Of Amore'

RIECKHOF IN THE NEWS

Well, as most folks already know, Costa Mesa police officer Allen Rieckhof has been in the news over the past two days.  The courts sided with him on his claim that he wasn't given due process in the events that followed his alleged romance with a Costa Mesa woman the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009.  You can read the Daily Pilot article HERE and the Orange County Register piece - which includes links to court documents, HERE.  You can also watch the 3 minute video clip from Kcal9 News last night HERE that includes an irate rant from Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer - Rieckhof's nemesis during the 2010 campaign season.

IT'S NEWS TO ME...
I didn't know about this situation with Rieckhof back when it supposedly happened.  Like all personnel matters, this was kept quiet - appropriately so.  The processes in place to handle this kind of a situation seemed to have been followed, but the court reviewing it disagreed and found for Rieckhof.  Theoretically, that should be the end of the story.

 RIGHEIMER WANTS A SCALP
However, it's not where Righeimer is concerned.  No sir, he's not going to let these guys "get away" with anything!  Hence, his appearance on the news last night in front of City Hall late in the evening.  If memory serves me correctly, Rieckhof was the President of the Costa Mesa Police Officers Association during the election in 2010.

 HERE'S A VIEW OF THE SITUATION
An impatient commenter on this blog posted the following entry, typos and all, on my previous post:

I Don't think we're getting the entire story regarding the cop on duty thing...funny that OC Register writer Terry Sforza was the one to come out with that first...wasnt she the one who couldnt print something critical of Riggy? Now Riggy can get his pudgy face in the news to comment even though the city won't? And isnt this cop the former CMPA President who Riggy/Bever have so much disdain for, the one that towed the billboard behind his truck? So now that he beat them because, yet again, the city cannot follow due processes and according to the judge did not prove any dereliction of duty, his plight gets plastered all over the media...I'm REAL sure there was no call to the register when the city lost (tongue in cheek)...somehow, this looks like payback from Jimbo..

Now I get being upset if the city proved this stuff was ongoing during time he should be working...you don't crap where you eat...

However, from what i've read, it appears the officer met with this girl he was dating during his break and lunch times, which he took all at once, instead of spread throughout his shift. One neighbor indicated once they believed he arrived at 11 and left at 3am...i'm guessing he was off duty by 11, since I dont know of any agency that allows motorcycle officers to work until 3 am.

The officer was still productive, did not shirk any calls or responsibilities and in fact is a highly decorated award winning officer who met his "girlfriend"
during his breaks and after work?
So if an officer lives in the city, and decides to go home to see wife and kids for dinner for his hour break, is that any different?

Plain and simple, the city did not prove its case and it sounds like in the process they violated his peace officers rights.

Sounds like payback and mudslinging to me...

I suspect I might hear back from him on this post, too.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
What do you think?  Should a police officer be precluded from having a relationship and using his meal time to occasionally consummate it?  Now that the courts have found in his favor, should our local politicians be out posturing for the cameras simply because Rieckhof opposed his candidacy?  Who looks worse in this situation?

The News - Righeimer, Bad - The City, Good

DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR RIGHEIMER TODAY
It's been an interesting day in the news for Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer and his minions. Our friends at the Daily Pilot had a couple articles that will obviously rankle Righeimer and his pals.




PRIVATIZING EMS
In no particular order, first we address the article by Joseph Serna titled, "Costa Mesa ambulance plan flatlines", HERE. In this article Serna explains that the scheme proposed by Righeimer and the other three members of the city council to change the way paramedics operate in our city is all but a dead issue now. He quotes Righeimer as saying, "We don't need one more request for proposals right now. It's not a pressing issue."

OOPS - RIGHEIMER GUESSED WRONG
It appeared to some observers when this item was proposed that perhaps our current ambulance provider, CARE Ambulance, might have an inside track to take over the paramedic function - a perception only enhanced by the presentation of the CARE representative that evening. Later, though, the president of CARE, Rick Richardson, rejected the idea and confirmed in a letter to the city that the explanation by Costa Mesa Fire EMS Coordinator Larry Grihalva that night was exactly right - that we had the best possible system now and shouldn't change it.

CONFUSE ME WITH FACTS AND I'LL REPLACE YOU!
Righeimer, in the last sentence in Serna's story, tells us all we need to know about him and his plans. He is quoted as saying, "It just tells me we need to get a new ambulance company that's willing to give the services we need." That's it, folks - yet another example of the facts interfering with his plans! I sure hope the public wakes up to what he and his cronies are trying to do to this city pretty darn soon!

***

AS EXPECTED - COPS DID NO WRONG IN "STINKEYE"
Then, in a separate article by Serna titled, "No wrongdoing found in 'stinkeye' case" HERE, we are told that the independent outside investigators, Norman A Traub Associates, looking into the bogus accusations of improper actions by members of the Costa Mesa Police Department last fall when they cruised past a location on the Westside of town where occasional councilman Eric Bever and his pal, Christian Eric, were posting Righeimer signs on a chain link fence, have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

PURE POLITICAL POSTURING
Most of us paying attention to that situation at the time realized that this was just another fabricated "encounter" with the Costa Mesa Police Department by the Righeimer campaign to whip up animosity among the potential voters of this city. At a press conference at the site shortly after the event Righeimer and most of his posse, including his pit bull lawyer/brother-in-law, Mark Bucher, Supervisor John Moorlach, Mensinger hanger-on Jim Fitzpatrick and Colin McCarthy (pretending he was a concerned citizen as he postured for the press), showed up to offer support for the poor, abused Bever and Eric. It was laughable at the time and is pathetic now. This is yet another example of how Righeimer and his cronies attempt to manipulate a gullible public.

***

MORE TRANSPARENCY...
Today the City of Costa Mesa fired off a couple press releases, apparently in the interest of more transparency.




CHAT WITH THE CHIEF
The first advises us the interim Police Chief Steve Staveley, shown in this photo with former Acting Chief Captain Les Gogerty on March 17, 2001, is going to initiate "Chief's Office Hours" each week. Yep, from 4-6 p.m. every Tuesday residents can come to the Police Department and spend some quality time with our chief. According to the press release, Staveley - performing his second tour as interim Police Chief in Costa Mesa - is quoted as stating, "This effort should give us a chance to provide even better service to the community by getting to an understanding of their issue more quickly. We will, of course, forward issues we uncover to the appropriate agency or department when they arrive at our doorstep."

GREAT IDEA
Personally, having had some interaction with Chief Staveley, I think this is a terrific idea. I suspect residents will find him an approachable guy, eager to hear from them and get things done. This is a glaring contrast to former Chief Chris Shawkey's days in Costa Mesa, when he could seldom be found available, even during normal working hours. Congrats to the Chief for this approach. Residents are advised to call 714-754-5280 to be sure the Chief will be available and not on assignment in the field.

***
VACANCIES ON CITY COMMITTEES
Second, I received a press release late this afternoon announcing the need for volunteers to serve on city committees, with a deadline of Monday. Applicants for any of the following committees have until 5:00 p.m. Monday to apply.

Access, Building, Fire & Housing Board of Appeal - 5 regular member and 2 alternate member vacancies. Must live or work in Costa Mesa and have experience and/or training in building construction. Two members shall be physically handicapped persons; two shall be experienced in construction and one member from the general public. The Board meets as needed and the term of service is four years. Call Khanh Nguyen at 714-754-5322.

Cultural Arts Committee - 4 regular member vacancies. Works to promote the City slogan "Costa Mesa City of the Arts." Call Lisa McPherson at 714-754-5322

Historical Preservation Committee - 4 regular member and 1 alternate member vacancies. Serves to maintain, preserve, educate and promote the City's historical resources. Call Lisa McPherson at 714-754-5322.

Redevelopment and Residential Rehabilitation (3R) Committee - 3 alternate member vacancies. Promotes understanding of, and involvement in, the redevelopment of both housing throughout the City and commercial properties within the redevelopment area. Call Alma Penalosa at 714-754-5692

Application Process - Individuals interested in serving on any of the above committees are encouraged to request and complete a “Committee Interest Form” from the CEO’s Office or from the City’s website at http://www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us/docs/commform.pdf. The completed form may be mailed to: Costa Mesa City Council, Post Office Box 1200, Costa Mesa, California, 92628-1200; faxed to (714) 754-5330; or hand-delivered to the CEO’s Office at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. The deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 11, 2011. The City Council will make selections from applications filed in a timely manner.

Staveley Appointed Interim Police Chief - Again

HATCH ISSUES PRESS RELEASE
In a press release this afternoon, Chief Executive Officer of the City, Tom Hatch, announced that he had appointed Steven H. Staveley as the new interim Police Chief, replacing Captain Les Gogerty, who stepped down last week to concentrate on his real job as field operations captain. The Daily Pilot story by Sarah Peters is HERE.

SECOND TIME AROUND FOR STAVELEY
Some of you paying attention will recall that Staveley was the interim chief in Costa Mesa before, replacing John Hensley when he abruptly retired under the pressure of the whole Benito Acosta affair. Staveley held the job for six months, from July of 2006 to January, 2007, when Chris Shawkey was appointed permanent police chief.

RIGHT GUY, AGAIN
Once again Staveley brings a long and distinguished career in law enforcement to our city and, once again, is probably the right guy to bridge the time from Shawkey's departure until a new chief is selected. It's my understanding that he did a good job for us during that short stint and had the respect of most of the Costa Mesa police officers.

CONSULT FOR JONES & MAYER
Staveley is a consultant for Jones & Mayer, the law firm that provides Costa Mesa with our City Attorney, Tom Duarte. He has performed similar assignments for other client cities of the law firm, as well as having been the permanent police chief for several other cities over his career.

TEACHES AT GOLDEN WEST - WITH SMITH?
One interesting comment made in the press release indicated that Staveley was an instructor at Golden West College. Some will recall that recently-retired police captain Ron Smith left under a cloud that included questions about him approving bogus expense reports for former chief Shawkey and that he was apparently teaching at Golden West at times when he was supposed to be working in Costa Mesa. I thought it was an interesting coincidence.


WILL GOGERTY TOSS HIS HAT IN THE RING?
According to the press release, the search of a new, permanent police chief is now in process and is expected to take from 3-5 months. It is unclear whether Gogerty will toss his hat in the ring for the job. There are many in city government, and the police department in particular, who feel he is the perfect choice at this time for our city. He's done an excellent job of directing the police department during the most difficult time in its history, with accusations of corruption swirling around and the strained relationship between the officers and members of the city council. The skills he brought to his job have been tempered by the hot fires of these controversies.

WE NEED THE RIGHT PERSON THIS TIME
Regardless who is selected to replace Shawkey, the city cannot afford to make another mistake in this critical management position. I agree with those who say we don't need another person who is just looking to pad a pension and sleep-walk through a couple years in Costa Mesa before bailing out. What we need is someone who understands the situation in Costa Mesa, including the politics at play at this time, and will provide the steady hand at the helm and mature leadership necessary to help navigate this city through troubled waters. The person selected will inherit a fine police department, but one that has been devoid of real leadership at the top for the past half-decade. Tom Hatch cannot afford to hire the wrong guy this time around. (See Gogerty above)

Shawkey Finally Out & Hispanic Population Grows

CHRIS SHAWKEY RESIGNS
Tuesday afternoon I wondered why Joseph Serna, Daily Pilot reporter par excellence, was a little late to the city council study session. When I finally got home from the meeting later that evening I found out why. Serna had been putting the finishing touches on his article titled, "Costa Mesa Police Chief Resigns". Yikes! You can read Serna's article HERE.

CURIOUS CASE IS NOW EVEN MORE SO
So, after all these months of being on paid administrative leave Chief Christopher Shawkey has finally resigned. In a case that has been curious from the very beginning, the timing of his resignation only two days after the retirement of City Manager Allan Roeder is one more example. Shawkey earned more than $200,000 in salary and his benefits package had him at nearly $300,000 in total compensation.

NO REASON GIVEN
It is unlikely that we will ever know the reason for his leave and subsequent resignation, which only leaves the rest of the police department and the residents of this city scratching their heads. This is yet another top department manager who has dropped off the roles under strange circumstances.


SEARCH IS ON - GOGERTY STAYS AT HELM
According to Serna's article, CEO Tom Hatch will immediately begin a search for a replacement for Shawkey. Meanwhile, captain Les Gogerty will remain as interim chief.

CENSUS RESULTS MAKES ME SMILE
Then, in an adjacent article in the Daily Pilot online, I found a piece by Managing Editor, John Canalis titled, "Census: Hispanic Population Grows In Newport-Mesa" and just had to chuckle at the reaction this is going to evoke in a certain Mesa North household at the crack of dawn when a certain community gadfly and our racist laureate stumbles out to the front lawn to grab his Daily Pilot. He's going to flip that page open, take one look and probably go into shock. Sorry, but I just can't stop smiling...

NOW NEARLY 36%
According to Canalis' article, HERE, Costa Mesa's Hispanic population increased from 31.8% in 2000 to 35.8% in 2010. Newport Beach saw a greater than 50% increase in its Hispanic population, from 4.7% to 7.2%.

DECADE OF ANTI-HISPANIC RHETORIC WASTED
So, after a decade of ranting and raving about the brown skinned folks among us, and writing essay after racist essay and blog post after blog post, our old buddy, The Mouth From Mesa North, finds himself surrounded by even greater numbers of Hispanics than when he began his methodical campaign to expunge them from our borders more than a decade ago. This irony is just too, too sweet. It looks like the only way he's going to get any peace of mind is to move to some part of the country where the Hispanics represent a much smaller percentage of the population. Might I suggest Idaho, where he could cozy up to like-minded folks like the Aryan Brotherhood? I'll buy the one-way bus ticket.

COSTA MESA GREW SLIGHTLY - NEWPORT BEACH UP 21.6%!
Canalis also mentioned that Costa Mesa's total population grew only 1,236, from 108,724 to 109,960 (1.1%) and Newport Beach jumped 21.6%, from 70,032 to 85,186 - due mainly to the annexation of Newport Coast and Santa Ana Heights.


THE BALL'S IN OUR COURT
What these census numbers mean is that, rather than trying to force the Hispanic population into some kind of sub-class in our local society, we'd darn well better be working on ways to help them assimilate. We need to do a much better job of educating all those young brown people because they are very soon going to be the majority in this state and they're going to vote.

HOW WILL WE MANAGE THESE CHANGES?
It's going to be very interesting to see how our communities react to these census numbers. How, for example, will the Newport Mesa Unified School District adjust their teaching methods to educate a growing Hispanic population? How will our new police chief handle what will likely be a growing gang presence in Costa Mesa? And, how will the new Economic Development Czar (when he's finally appointed) try to market Costa Mesa with a shrinking white population?

Eagle Shot Down - And That's Not All

WHAT'S THAT UP IN THE SKY? YOU'RE RIGHT - NOTHING!
To the surprise of nobody in the auditorium, last night the Costa Mesa City Council voted, 4-1(Wendy Leece voted NO), to dissolve the Airborne Law Enforcement Program (ABLE) despite broad public support for the program and the presentation by Commander Tim Starn which outlined several alternatives to grounding the helicopters.

"GHETTO BIRD" GRIPES MIXED WITH KUDOS
Before a crowd of more than 100 concerned residents the council listened patiently as eighteen of their number presented their views. Most spoke with passion in favor of ABLE, describing personal anecdotes, quantifying the value of the helicopters, quoting statistics and expressing fear for their safety should ABLE be folded up. A few spoke in favor of ending ABLE, citing the noise created by the "Ghetto Bird" as it flew over their mostly Westside neighborhoods. I found myself smiling because it's very likely they will be among those to first suffer from the absence of the helicopter program.

POTENTIAL CHOPPING BLOCK VICTIMS INTRODUCED
Officer Jason Chamness, the new President of the Costa Mesa Police Association, introduced the four officers who would be cut loose if ABLE is shut down. Each were highly trained men, all of whom had three years or more with the city. None of that made any difference - the majority on the council already had it's mind made up. ABLE, which has served our community and those of our neighboring cities for more than four decades, is now history. If nothing happens between now and the end of June to change things, the helicopters and equipment used to maintain them will be sold, the four staffers who are Costa Mesa employees will be absorbed back into the CMPD and layoffs will occur.

MONAHAN - SAVE RESERVISTS, DUMP TRAINED OFFICERS
According to the city staff, when the four pilots return to the CMPD they will exercise bumping rights - which will ripple down through the organization. We were told that before the four officers mentioned above are bounced the city would first dump the six reserve officers currently working in the department. Later Mayor Gary Monahan asked the City Attorney - Harold Potter sitting in for the resigned Kim Barlow - to investigate a way for the reserve officers to be spared. While I understand the emotion of his question, I found it curious that the council majority is willing to cut loose four highly trained sworn officers and retain the reservists.

THE THINNEST OF THREADS...
In an effort to possibly save ABLE, the staff was directed to continue the overtures already begun with the county and other cities to investigate a regional airborne law enforcement entity. According to Starn, the current joint powers authority is designed to be the framework for such an effort - it has the capability to fold in other cities. Unfortunately, for any such organization to be formed in time to save ABLE actions would have to take place with almost light speed - something that almost never happens in government at any level. If progress is not made, ABLE will be shuttered the end of June.

TWO COP SLOTS ABANDONED
The council then voted to abandon the two police officer positions that have remained open for four months. It was not a good evening to be a Costa Mesa police officer last night. And, during all this anti-police rhetoric absolutely no mention was made of the fact that we're still paying Police Chief Chris Shawkey while he's on Administrative Leave. His package is worth over $300,000 per year - enough for a couple police officers.

FEES HIKED, FIELDS TO BE RESTED
The council also voted to significantly increase the rental of utility and ball fields and, in a subsequent, separate item, agreed to "rest" some fields, which will result in a loss of revenue in excess of $18,000 per year.


"COST SHARING" PASSED WITH URGENCY
The council gave second reading to the ordinances that authorized the amendment to certain contracts with employee associations that provided for "Cost Sharing", which had been previously negotiated. One was an "urgency ordinance", which permits this issue to become effective today.

HATCH CONTRACT APPROVED - EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE POLICY EXAMINED
Three items involving City Manager-in-waiting Thomas Hatch were heard last night. The first was the approval of his contract - the first of such for a City Manager in Costa Mesa's history. However, most other cities in the county follow this practice. Hatch will get a nice raise and benefit package and enough severance, should that ever become necessary, to keep his nose firmly planted on the grindstone. As a result of his compensation package negotiation there will be a modification of the city council policy 300-2 regarding Executive Severance.

HATCH "CEO" - MENSINGER'S ACT ALREADY GETTING OLD
And, finally, there was unelected councilman Steve Mensinger's proposal to change Hatch's title to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This is an unnecessary bit of grandstanding on the part of Mensinger, which he acknowledged was purely symbolic. When Wendy Leece inquired about the amount of legal staff time necessary for this item, Potter responded that it was a "no-brainer" - it probably took less than an hour. In his typical flippant, in-you-face style, Mensinger asked what it cost and said he'd write a check for it. We're only a couple months into his term and this attitude is already getting mighty old. And, even worse, history shows us that, based on his tour on the Planning Commission, he's going to get even more cocky and condescending as time goes on.

HATCH GETS BUDGET FOR CONSULTING SERVICES
The council approved an adjustment in this year's budget of $200,000 for consultant services for a city-wide organizational review. Hatch laid out just how that money was earmarked:

$34,000 - Police Department - ($24,000 + add'l expertise $10,000)
$15,000 - Finance Department for 5-year plan
$30,000 - Economic Development Plan
$20,000 - Enhanced Communication
$50,000 - Redesign of Web Site
$50,000 - Additional consulting (OCFA RFP, etc.)
Total - $199,000

Certainly, in light of the staff reductions in several departments, including the City Manager's Office, this kind of expertise is essential to craft timely plans in response to the impatient city council's objectives and timetables. If no other cuts are made to the budget, or if the revenue stream is not greater than anticipated, the city will end the fiscal year with a deficit of $1.6 million.

"SEE WHAT I DID?"
The council also passed another "Mensinger Resolution" - this one to proclaim that Costa Mesa encourages local businesses to hire Costa Mesa Youth. This is just another merit badge on his "Hey, look at me!" sash - nice, but not necessary

WORRIED ABOUT ABLE'S DEMISE
I came away from the meeting last night unsettled for several reasons. The first, of course, is the demise of the ABLE program and the impact its loss will have on the Costa Mesa Police Department. This program has been the model after which all other municipal helicopter programs have been designed. If one believes, as I do, that helicopters are "force multipliers" in local law enforcement, then - as former mayor Sandra Genis said last night - the closure of ABLE will likely mean more than simply the loss of four airborne officers... it will mean a SIGNIFICANT diminishing of public safety in our city.

DISREGARDING THE RULES
I'm also concerned about the cavalier way some members of this council, including Monahan, seem willing to ignore or abandon council policies and/or practices when they're inconvenient. Each of those issues were hashed out and refined over long periods of time. This council - and you will recall that I predicted this - is willing to run roughshod over us all. Righeimer and Mensinger are impatient guys, used to answering to no one. It's clear now that they intend to overlay their management style on our city regardless the damage it will do. If they had not already pre-judged ABLE they might have read the staff report, which gave them a way to balance this year's budget AND still retain ABLE.

DON'T CONFUSE THEM WITH FACTS
I'm concerned about the implementation of the so-called "working groups" - two-person teams of council members charged with investigating several issue in the city. This is the first meeting where the results of those groups can be seen and it raises concerns in my mind - and others with whom I've discussed it - about Brown Act violations. Clearly, some on this council are not going to be swayed by the voices of the residents of this city - they already have their minds made up and they are not going to let facts nor residents opinions get in the way.

TWO-FACED
Finally, I was very distressed by the implication expressed by Mensinger and Righeimer regarding the previous - and current - management of this city. I heard Mensinger quite overtly criticize the management several times, indicating that he "had to sit four years" and watch the previous council make mistakes. He implied that retiring City Manager Allan Roeder was a culprit in this problem while smiling down at him from the dais and saying "no offense". He's proving to be a guy who will smile and shake your hand with one hand and stab you in the back with the other.

FEELING ROEDER'S PAIN
I know from having watched Roeder in action that he did all he could to advise previous councils about their budgeting practices. Every year he'd tell them that the use of fund balance to balance the budget was not a solution, it was the result of them not making the hard choices - doing their jobs. I don't know how Roeder feels about this, but I suspect these next couple weeks - he retires as of March 4th - will be mighty long and painful. It's truly sad that his long and illustrious career and his tireless dedication to this city for three dozen years will be tainted by egomanical political hacks on the council as he departs. He probably should have retired in December...

Barlow Bails Out!

WHY?
My first reaction when I read the brief Daily Pilot article (HERE) announcing the pending departure of contract City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow late this afternoon was, "Uh-Oh! I wonder what she knows that we don't that would cause her to bail out just as a new municipal administration is getting started?"

WE'LL PROBABLY NEVER KNOW WHY...
OK, I know that may be an over-reaction - she's quoted in Joe Serna's piece as saying, "Both personal and business reasons compel this decision - other challenges require my attention." However, the past couple years have been tough on her, with the whole Fairgrounds Sale issue, plus the legal action that occurred as a result of things that happened during the recent campaign. And, she's been a whole lot closer to this new council than the rest of us. Maybe she's jumping off the train before it wrecks...

LEGAL BUDGET WAY OUT OF WHACK
At the recent study session a member of the public who fancies herself a budget watchdog of sorts pointed out to the council and audience that the city legal department - Barlow's domain - had been blowing through cash at a rate averaging more than $100,00 per month - well beyond their budget. It's hard to lay that directly at Barlow's feet since she responds to the demands of the council. She arrived at the meeting after that comment was made.

BARLOW WAS OK FROM MY VIEW
I've watched Kim Barlow perform her duties from the remote viewing platform as a member of the audience. My personal contacts with her have been few and far between, but those were usually satisfactory. Only those privy to the privileged conversations between her clients - the council - and herself really know how effective she has been. She's served a long time as City Attorney through several iterations of City Councils and it's not as though she's a neophyte at this - she's served other cities as well.

AGAIN, I WARNED YOU...
You will recall that I've warned you about what may happen with this new City Council. I've told you that I suspect we'll see lots more litigation, some of which might be directed at members of the council because of their apparent willingness to ignore the rules. I wouldn't be surprised at all if part of Barlow's reason for departing is that she doesn't want to be tarred professionally with the brush that's almost certain to land on some of our elected leaders.

GRUMBLINGS AND RUMBLINGS
I'm not sure what's going on in City Hall these days... I continue to hear grumblings from a variety of sources about staffers being verbally abused by certain individuals. More recently I've heard rumblings about demands being made of staffers that may not be legal, and intimidation when those demands are rejected. It's difficult to tell how valid those grumblings are in light of the very obvious intent of some members of the council to disassemble our city government and turn it into a de facto haven for temporary help. It seems to me that most city staffers are nervous about their future - correctly so, in my view. It's my opinion that no city staffer - at any level - should ever follow instructions from elected or appointed leaders that they know to be illegal or a violation of city policy. Further, they should report ANY such request to their management AND the City Attorney immediately.

APPREHENSIVE SINCE JANUARY
Since the first week of January, when the new City Council was sworn-in and when the un-elected member, Steve Mensinger, was appointed, I've been very uneasy about the tack this group was taking. Barlow's departure doesn't do a thing to alleviate that apprehension. I can only hope that whichever member of the Jones and Mayer staff is appointed to replace her is a strong individual - one who will be able to provide strong, credible legal counsel to keep this group from driving our city into legal quicksand.

WHO'S NEXT?
In the meantime, I find myself wondering which senior staffers will bail out next. City Manager Allan Roeder will be gone early in March. We have no Police Chief - Chris Shawkey is on a paid administrative leave for unknown reasons - and his top Captain, Ron Smith, just retired under a cloud. We have no Fire Chief, nor are the next top two positions filled, apparently in anticipation of working out a deal with the Orange County Fire Authority. Former Fire Chief Mike Morgan, who recently retired, is across the border in Newport Beach as their interim chief. With the enhanced retirements over the past couple years much of the institutional knowledge of our city is, or will be, gone. This doesn't make me sleep very well at night. I grabbed this shot of Roeder at the recent study session. Tell me, do you think he's praying for the future of our city... wouldn't be surprised.