Recap Of Righeimer's DUI Stop

SHARING THE PAIN
I know... you're probably as sick of this issue as I am, but it's likely that you've missed some of the drama, so your humble correspondent will attempt to capture most of it right here on the old Cauldron.    

HE'S EVERYWHERE!
Since Righeimer was stopped a week ago based on a tip from a discredited former Riverside police officer who has been working for the law firm employed by the Costa Mesa Police Officers Association Righeimer seems to have been omnipresent in the media.  I'm going to try to provide links to most of that for you below.  Just click on the name.

INTERESTING COMMENTS
I must tell you that there have been some very interesting comments coming out of this issue - most of them from Righeimer.  For example, in one of the early stories, where Righeimer was made aware of the link between the guy who reported him as driving drunk and the law firm that represented the Costa Mesa police, he is quoted as saying, "Are you kidding me? The playbook guys?" Righeimer said of the firm. "I knew I wasn't crazy. I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!"  I found myself thinking, "Not so fast, Jimbo.  Nobody said you were not crazy!"

LAW FIRM A CRIMINAL ENTREPRISE?
Twice, that I heard, Righeimer referred to the law firm involved, Lackie, Dammeier and McGill, as a criminal enterprise!  Twice!  At least!  And, those words are memorialized by electronic recording.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH...
So, the following is a roster of only some of the articles/interviews on this issue over the past week.  Take your time...

Daily Pilot - Righeimer Sobriety Test - 8/23/12

Daily Pilot - Righeimer Press Conference - 8/24/12

Orange County Register - Press Conference  - 8/24/12

Link to law firm, Lackie, Dammeier and McGill

KCAL9 video coverage of press conference, 8/24/12

Register - Accuser linked to Union law firm, 8/25/12

Daily Pilot - Jason Chamness Commentary denouncing law firm, 82712

Righeimer on John and Ken Audio Tape, 8/27/12

Daily Pilot - P.I. 'I wasn't investigating Righeimer" - 8/28/12

Righeimer on John and Ken Audio Tape - 8/28/12

KCAL9 report on Press Conference - 8/28/12

KNBC report on Press Conference - 8/28/12

ABC7 report on Press Conference - 8/28/12

Register - Police union negotiator targeted city councilmen - 8/29/12

Righeimer on FoxBusiness Channel - 8/29/12

ONE MORE TIME!

I'm sure there will be more to come..  This should keep you busy.  But, in case it doesn't, you can watch his five-minute rant at a recent City Council meeting that he says may have set this off in the first place.

Righeimer On John & Ken Show Today***

GASOLINE ON THE FIRE
This afternoon, shortly after 4:00 p.m., Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer appeared as a guest on the John and Ken Show on Los Angeles radio station KFI640AM.  His comments on that show will certainly only add fuel to the already blazing fire of controversy about his recent encounter with the CMPD.

AUDIO PODCAST
You can follow THIS LINK to hear the audio podcast from that entire program if you choose.  Don't be frightened off by the counter that says 38 minutes.  The Righeimer segment is less than half that.


LISTEN CAREFULLY
While you're listening you'll hear Righeimer reiterate that "this was a set-up. I've seen this playbook before."



HE DEFINES THE LAW FIRM
During the conversation he addresses the law firm, Lackie, Dannmeier and McGill, where the man who reported him to the police, Chris Lanzillo, (See Daily Pilot article with profile of Lanzillo HERE) and describes the members of the firm depicted in the photograph from their website thus: "Look like thugs, every single one of them."  He went on to say, "In my opinion, this is a criminal operation."  "They shakedown cities for perks and benefits."

Thugs?  Really?

POLICE OFFICER PAY
Righeimer provided information about Costa Mesa police pay levels - which sent the show hosts off like a rocket.  He mentioned that the base pay was $65,000, but was enhanced by over 70 kinds
of pay that could take the pay to $131,000 on average.  He said, "You gotta be dead to get base pay."

GREEDY FIREFIGHTER, AGAIN
He also took the opportunity to, once again, bring up the "firefighter who made $347,000 last year and he wasn't even a chief."

 LISTEN FOR YOURSELVES
I was going to provide many more quote but no longer have to since the podcast is available for you to hear on your own.

RIGHEIMER SNUBS ASSOCIATION REQUEST TO MEET
Jason Chamness, president of the Costa Mesa Police Officers Association (CMPOA) has a commentary published in the Daily Pilot tonight, HERE.  The most interesting part of that commentary is the last sentence, "The association did request to meet with Mr. Righeimer, however, he denied our request."

***CHRIS LANZILLO SPEAKS!
The Daily Pilot has an interview with Chris Lanzillo posted on their site, HERE.  Sounds a little hinky to me.  What do you think?

ANOTHER PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW
Righeimer announced on this program that he will be holding a press conference - another one - at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow at City Hall where he and other elected officials from around Southern California will address this issue.  I'll be there...

Tidying-up, Homeless Task Force And Tardy Kudos

HOMELESS TASK FORCE, BUT FIRST...
I attended the final meeting of the Costa Mesa Homeless Task Force Wednesday evening and will give you my impressions shortly, but first, some tidying-up.



COUNCIL STIPENDS
In my last post I mentioned a comment made by City Clerk Julie Folcik at the council meeting Tuesday night. I said it was unusual and that it referred to the council receiving additional pay because the meeting was to be a joint meeting of the Redevelopment Agency AND the City Council. I inquired of CEO Tom Hatch, who handed-off the question to Ms. Folcik. Today, as usual, she gave me chapter and verse - literally - for her pronouncement at the meeting.

NEW LAW REQUIRES SPECIFIC DISCLOSURE
It seems that Assembly Bill 23, one of the many new laws that went into effect January 1 and affects Government Code Section 54952.3, requires disclosure when a body meets in that kind of a joint session and when the body will be paid for each entity they represent. In this case, apparently the Redevelopment Agency has ALWAYS received a small stipend - $30.00 - for such meetings. Now the law requires that disclosure. Heck, that amount is so small that I don't even begrudge part-time, part-time councilman Eric Bever his stipend.

NO STIPEND FOR THE COSTA MESA HOUSING AUTHORITY
I also asked about the newly-formed Costa Mesa Housing Authority and was informed, as I suspected after reading the Bylaws thoroughly, that there is no provision for a stipend for members of the Housing Authority.

NOW, TO THE HOMELESS TASK FORCE
Last night the final meeting of the Costa Mesa Homeless Task Force was held in the Police Department Emergency Operations Center. Many members of the Task Force were not present, but enough were to form a quorum so business could be conducted. Only a couple residents attended, including your reporter and Daily Pilot reporter, Joseph Serna. Look for his report soon.

FINAL DRAFT REPORT APPROVAL
The purpose was to review and approve the final draft of the report to be presented to the City Council at a Study Session on February 28th. I've attended nearly half of the meetings they've held over the past nine months, so was very surprised when the members present still had difficulty with the exact wording for the definition of a "Costa Mesa Homeless Person". That issue is the core of the entire process, one that I thought had been dealt with months ago. I guess not.

LOTS OF BANTER, THEN A DECISION
Anyhow, it took them 90 minutes but they finally arrived at a description that passed muster, then proceeded to fine-tune the remainder of the report.




TASK FORCE DID A GOOD JOB
I must say that those folks who have been on this task force since the beginning have done a remarkable job of defining the issue and crafting a set of goals and potential solutions for the City Council to consider. This is a thankless job, but they just dove in and despite changes in leadership, have done a good job with it, in my opinion.

REPORT ON THE CITY WEB SITE
The text of the draft report is available on the City Web site - all 136 pages of it, including the PowerPoint presentation - for your review. A few changes were made this evening, but what you see there is essentially their final report. Go to the City web site Home Page at www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us and click the check box marked "CM Homeless Task Force" in the middle of the page. Once to that page, click on the "Draft Final Report" on the top of the right-side box.

FUNDING WILL BE AN ISSUE
One of the challenges this Task Force, and the City Council, faces is how to fund some of the initiatives suggested in the report. Their presentation will follow the Mid-year Budget Review on the agenda of the Study Session, so the council will be all tuned-up to discuss further expenditures. Yeah, right...

FRANCIS TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE
We did learn last night that new Assistant CEO Rick Francis - shown here with Costa Mesa Police Officers Association President Jason Chamness - who comes aboard next Monday, the 23rd, is going to play a major role in the implementation of recomendations of the Task Force. According to Councilwoman Wendy Leece - the liaison to the Task Force - CEO Tom Hatch plans to assign Francis, who has a background in Probation, to implement some of the recommendations.

WHAT ABOUT THE REST?
At the end of the meeting Chairman Jeff Mathews asked for Public Comments. I raised my hand and asked a question I had posed in a previous meeting. "After every person who qualifies as a 'Costa Mesa Homeless Person' is identified through the sorting process prescribed in this plan, there will almost certainly remain homeless folks in Costa Mesa who don't meet the criteria. Those people will not qualify to receive the assistance outlined in the plan. What happens to them." It seemed like a good question, since they will still be "homeless" and still be in Costa Mesa, but nobody really had a solid, definitive answer. Of course, we don't want them in our city, so one of the alternatives is to arrest them for violating one or more of the ordinances that exist, or will exist as a result of this effort. They will, however, remain in Costa Mesa. This problem - how to handle the residue of the sorting process - is one that is going to require some serious thought on the part of the City Council, hopefully before they decide to move forward with this plan.

DESERVED RECOGNITION
Before I close, tardy kudos to Dane Bora and Brad Long on being recognized at the recent Costa Mesa United Golf Tournament for their contributions to our community through their efforts with Costa Mesa Television and so much more. Both men are true professionals who give their time and talents tirelessly and are outstanding ambassadors for our city. Thanks, guys...
BANKING THE COALS AGAIN
The Cauldron will be on simmer for a few days. I won't be ignoring you, but it might take a little longer for comments to be posted. Be patient. I'll be back in time to watch the 49ers beat the Giants and the Patriots beat the Ravens on Sunday. In the meantime, I DO want to thank all of you for visiting this site. I hope the information and opinions you find here are helpful. And, I DO want to thank each of you who take the time to post comments and keep the debate "bubbling". I want this blog to be a place where opposing viewpoints can be discussed - hopefully, with some small degree of civility. Of course, I realize that's not always going to be the case, but it's a goal...

Are You Ready?

HERE WE GO AGAIN...
Happy New Year to you all. Now it's time to take a big breath and get ready for 2012 because, as I've mentioned before, this year's going to be another doozy!



KUDOS, PILOTEERS
Kudos to our friends at the Daily Pilot for beginning the year (or ending it, depending on when you read these articles) by publishing in print this morning (online last night) two very provocative commentaries. These pearls of wisdom took up an entire page for what was a great start to the new year.

EXCELLENT COMBINATION
On the top of the page was non-elected councilman and self-anointed godfather of youth football in our city, Steve Mensinger's epistle titled, "Costa Mesa made many changes for the good", HERE, followed by activist Greg Ridge's contribution to community enlightenment, "Council majority wants to pull wool over our eyes", HERE. In my opinion, it was an excellent journalistic decision to place these to pieces in close proximity to each other.

VILIFY, DON'T NEGOTIATE
Mensinger begins by vilifying what he calls "out of town union leaders" - I guess he means folks like Helen Nenadal, president of the Costa Mesa City Employee Association, Tim Vasin, president of the Costa Mesa Firefighters Association and Jason Chamness, president of the Costa Mesa Police Officers Association - for spending "hundreds of thousands of dollars in propaganda". That is a crock - and typical of Mensinger and his ilk. He and the other members of the OC GOP-sponsored blitzkrieg who have attempted to takeover and re-make this city in a few short months have consistently prophesied financial ruin if we didn't follow their lead. Recent pronouncements by The City regarding our current fiscal situation proves they were - and are - just trying to cause a panic among those few folks who actually pay attention to what's going on in this town.

SPENDING LEGAL FEES LIKE DRUNKEN SAILORS
He beats his chest about balancing the budget without the use of reserves and putting "away nearly $1 million in a contingency fund", but conveniently forgets to mention that this council is also spending money on legal fees like a pack of proverbial drunken sailors on leave. They budgeted $800,000 (averaging $68,000 per month) for legal fees this fiscal year and, based on the amounts on the warrants to be considered Tuesday evening, are actually spending at a rate four times that amount! In previous months they've authorized spending no less than double their budgeted rate. Their fiscal irresponsibility can best be demonstrated by the open-ended agreement with one of the highest priced law firms in the country, Jones Day. Despite repeated warnings by resident Eleanor Egan, a lawyer herself and long-time employee in Costa Mesa's legal department, that this was a bad management practice, the council majority went ahead with the contract. The Jones Day bill for December was over $133,000! Of course, I'm not surprised with his attitude since he is responsible for the City spending over $300 to retrieve his cell phone from the City elevator shaft recently.

RESIDENCE FIRST PRIORITY?
Mensinger crows about hiring "leaders with strong ties to Costa Mesa", as if NOT living in our city is a bad thing. I have no reason to criticize those folks he mentions, but, as a guy who made a VERY good living as a recruiter for decades, I can tell you that if you limit the geographical area from which you can choose candidates, the chances of actually finding the best person available diminishes significantly. Personally I like each of those men he mentioned, including Police Chief Tom Gazsi, pictured here, but it's a faulty management practice that makes living in the city the first priority.

A "VOW" IS AN "ACCOMPLISHMENT"?
He amusingly lists as an "accomplishment" of this council majority a "vow" to pay down unfunded liabilities. I guess that's how it works in his world - a vow is as good as an actual accomplishment. Give me a break! Any of us can make vows, but the proof is in the doing. They've already demonstrated many times this year that they can't execute their plans - at least, not legally.

FISCAL PLANS UNWORKABLE
Mensinger says they've "begun restoration of our emergency fund", but the plans they have in the works that will be discussed at Tuesday's meeting are so draconian and unrealistic that the only way to accomplish them will be to drastically reduce city staff. With those reductions will come severe cuts in service levels - there's no way around it.

GET IT RIGHT, STEVE!
He says his mob has "been transparent in negotiations with our employee unions". First of all, we have no "unions", we have employee associations, none of whom, for example, have the right to strike. There is no question that the issue of employee pensions needs to be addressed, but Mensinger and his cronies have refused to sit down with the associations to discuss what kind of changes might be made. They're angry that the terms of the current agreements extend past their terms in office, so are doing their very best to vilify the employees instead of simply sitting down to talk with them. Mayor Gary Monahan, in a commentary last month, HERE, misrepresented that situation and Vasin set the record straight in a recent commentary of his own, HERE.

TAKING UNDUE CREDIT
Mensinger takes credit for street and road repairs that were already part of the established schedule - this council had NOTHING to do with the repairs - except that some of them happened in neighborhoods where they live, so they could beat their chests and woof about it.

"TRANSPARENCY" VS SECRET COMMUNICATIONS
He also crows about "transparency", claiming that Costa Mesa is the most transparent city in Orange County. He may be right about the amount of information available to folks on the city web site, but he doesn't address his penchant for texting and emailing from the dais during meetings or the bogus 2-person "working groups" behind closed doors, like the one composed of Monahan and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer that, in the comfy confines of Monahan's gin mill, managed to come up with the bogus "outsourcing" scheme that now has the City embroiled in a major lawsuit because they violated their own rules as they rushed to implement it. So much for transparency.

ONE-SIDED "TRANSPARENCY"
Another example of this lack of transparency is in his paragraph about Righeimer's scheme to convert Costa Mesa to a Charter city. He says, "We are now working on a city charter...", but conveniently forgets to mention that the "we" is actually one man - Righeimer. He cobbled together the draft Charter to suit his own personal agenda and will soon attempt to convince the populace it's for their good. He, Righeimer and Colin McCarthy - president of the Costa Mesa Taxpayer's Association (a front group for the takeover of the city) - tell us they're hosting a "panel discussion" on January 19th on the Charter. The only problem with that meeting is that there will only be one side of the issue discussed - theirs.

"SAVING CHRISTMAS"? REALLY?
Finally he yaps about "saving Christmas" in the form of the Snoopy House. Well, as you know, I'm all for the salvaging of the Snoopy House and am glad it was done. I think it did much for community morale. However, he's very misguided if he thinks that year-end event can distract folks from the year's worth of damage he and his pals have done to this city! Each time I visited the Snoopy House - during the planning and construction, the grand opening and during the evenings when Santa, was present I couldn't help but think that this lovely display was only a few yards from the spot where poor Huy Pham leaped to his death after learning that he would be among the more than 200 employees receiving layoff notices last March. As I watched Monahan perform during the grand opening I couldn't help recall his dereliction of his duties as mayor on St. Patrick's Day, when he chose to stay at his bar in his leprechaun outfit and poor beers for his customers on what he described as "the biggest day of my life" instead of going to City Hall to oversee the horrible event and console the staff.

READ RIDGE'S COMMENTARY FOR PERSPECTIVE
Take a few minutes to read Mensinger's commentary, then just keep on reading - visit Greg Ridge's excellent piece that was placed on the page below it. He lays out many good reasons why the residents of this city should be cautious about the snake oil being peddled by the current council majority.

BUSY WEEK AHEAD
This week is going to be a very busy time in our city. I've already given you the schedule of events for the various meetings already scheduled. I'll write more about them individually later. It's time to start paying attention...

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...