An Echo That Gets Louder Each Day

DUSTING OFF SOME OLD STUFF
The very first entry I posted when I began this blog on July 9, 2005 - hard to believe that the 10th anniversary is approaching - dealt with the specter of eminent domain on the Westside of Costa Mesa.  This entry was on an old blog host - which I've described as a bargain basement blog host - without the ability to post comments.  I changed hosts to the current Blogger format 18 months later.  If you want to read any or all of those old entries, there's a link over on the right of this page that says "A Bubbling Cauldron (7/05 - 10/06)".  Just click on the title or on that link, then scroll down to the bottom of the page and navigate through the various entries.  Or, go over to the "Archive Index" on the left side of the page, click on it, then look for something of interest.  It's cumbersome, which is one reason I changed hosts.

HAVE FUN...
Anyhow, I thought you might find what I wrote back then to be of interest, so I've copied and pasted that entire first entry below, just as it appeared then.  It was published just before 3 p.m. that afternoon.  Enjoy.

*****

Saturday, July 9, 2005
EMINENT DOMAIN AND THE WESTSIDE

The potential redevelopment of Westside Costa Mesa got a whole lot more interesting recently. On June 23, 2005 the United States Supreme Court ruled in a Connecticut case that eminent domain can be used to force property owners off their land so another entity can replace it to generate more tax revenue. However, the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution states, in part, "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation". In this case that term, "just compensation", is just another way of saying, "way below market value".

If I were a business property owner on the Westside of Costa Mesa I would be shaking in my boots about now. It was bad enough when the residential overlay was approved for the entire area that will permit a willing industrial property owner to sell to a developer and facilitate the integration of residential units in the present industrial area. This recent ruling makes it a whole new ball game. Now eager developers can sweet talk our City Council into using the sledgehammer of eminent domain to oust even the most reluctant of property owners. Do I hear the jingle of campaign finance coins in the air?

You're probably saying to yourself, "Nah, our council members would never do that." Well, don't be too sure. It takes lots of money to successfully run for public office. Eric Bever, for example, managed to round up over $50,000 for his war chest in his slim victory last November. He and his pal, Mayor Allan Mansoor, seem likely to run again - Mansoor in 2006 and Bever in 2008 - so developers with jingling pockets will probably start showing up on their doorsteps pretty soon with plans for the "mansionization" of the Westside.

Ambitious Mayor Pro Tem Gary Monahan, who theoretically is termed out of a council seat after his current tour, might be looking forward to higher office - perhaps County Supervisor. I imagine he will have his ear cocked for the sound of jingling coins, too.

Lest you think the ladies on the dais will be left out, I suspect Katrina Foley and Linda Dixon can expect the developers to come calling, too.

If you're thinking to yourself that this won't affect you, think again. If you own a one of those little, old homes on the Westside in an area that falls under the shroud of the residential overlay, you might be getting a queasy stomach right about now. If you had a cocky smirk on your face a couple months ago when the Westside Redevelopment Oversight Committee's recommendations were usurped by Bever's sleight of hand that put the residential overlay over virtually the entire Westside because you thought it would rid you of obnoxious industrial neighbors, think about this: As I understand this ruling, it would be entirely possible for a residential property owner living in a redevelopment zone to be forced to sell his home for "just compensation" so a new, larger one could be built that would generate more property tax. If your little bungalow just happens to sit on a sliver of land that might be a key acquisition for a larger development, we could soon be seeing your taillights as you head out of town, because you sure won't be able to afford another place in Costa Mesa with the proceeds of your "just compensation".

Are you nervous yet? You should be - especially in this city, where the ruling troika on the City Council has already demonstrated a smug willingness to play fast and loose with the rules.

I, for one, expect to have more than a few sleepless nights about this issue.

*****

AND, SO....

In case you're wondering, here's what the folks visiting Trader Joe's, between Superior and Pomona Streets along 17th Street, see as they head for the parking lot entrance.

Schafer Returned To Sanitary District Board

NO SURPRISE
In a move that will likely surprise very few people who have been following the drama at the Costa Mesa Sanitary District for the past couple years, today the Board of Directors selected former director and former Costa Mesa Mayor Arlene Schafer to replace Jim Fitzpatrick for the remaining two years of his term.  You can read the Daily Pilot coverage of the meeting and results HERE.

INTERVIEW PROCESS
At a special meeting today the four members of the board interviewed the six finalists in their process to determine a successor to Fitzpatrick - Schafer, former Costa Mesa Mayor Linda Dixon, former Sanitary District Board member Dan Worthington, Planning Consultant Jeffrey Harlan, Executive Search Consultant Al Morelli and Assistant General Manager of the West Basin Municipal Water District in Carson, Shivaji Desmukh.

UNANIMOUS SELECTION
Following the interviews, where each Director asked a couple questions of each applicant, the directors began the process of nominating candidates.  Dixon was first nominated, but received no second.  Schafer was nominated by President Jim Ferryman and was seconded by Director Art Perry.  When directors Mike Scheafer and Bob Ooten cast their votes for her she was chosen unanimously to fill the job that she held before Fitzpatrick defeated her in the election two years ago.

LET THE SCREECHING BEGIN
This will certainly generate a lot of negative comments from those in the community who felt Fitzpatrick was ousted from the Sanitary District Board.  Unfortunately, Fitzpatrick created his own problem when he intentionally, and against solid legal advice, stubbornly held to incompatible positions simultaneously.  And, he compounded that offense by doing it twice.

ON PAPER SCHAFER WAS THE EASY CHOICE
If you just read resumes Schafer was clearly the most highly qualified. She has served in this role before - for years - is well-known and highly respected in the sanitation management community.  For that reason alone her choice should be no surprise.  She will have virtually no "start up time" - she knows the business and how the Sanitary District operates.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Some will say this is a missed opportunity to bring in a fresh perspective to the Board - a thought with which I agree.  However, that what happened with Fitzpatrick and that went very, very badly.  I don't know whether that played any part in the selection the Directors made this morning, but wouldn't be surprised if it did.

SWEARING-IN ON WEDNESDAY
Schafer will be sworn in to her new/old job at the regular meeting of the Sanitary District Board on Wednesday, February 27th.  Her term will expire in 2014.

Sanitary District Directors Thins The Herd

FROM NINETEEN TO SIX
At a special meeting at 11:00 a.m. this morning the four remaining directors of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District Board thinned the herd of nineteen applicants for the vacancy created by the resignation of disgruntled director Jim Fitzpatrick to six candidates.  Those six will be asked to present themselves for interviews at another special meeting on Friday, February 22, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. at District headquarters.  The meeting was attended by five visitors - candidates Mark Harris and Al Morelli, activist Jim Mosher, former Water District Director Trudy Ohlig-Hall and your humble correspondent.

FINDING A FAIR SOLUTION
Guided by President Jim Ferryman, the directors - Art Perry, Bob Ooten and Mike Scheafer - arrived at what they felt was a fair way to winnow down the candidates.  Each said they had spent the past weekend reading through the resumes and other application paperwork for all of the candidates and all were impressed with the quality of applicants.  They acknowledged knowing some of the candidates and not knowing others.

THE PROCESS
Their solution to "thinning the herd" was for each director to present a list of their five top candidates.  Those four lists would be compiled by General Manager Scott Carroll.  The candidates who appeared on the most lists - the "highest vote-getters" - would be invited for personal interviews by the board Friday.  The maximum number invited would be five (5).

INDIVIDUAL CHOICES
Here are the lists that were presented in no particular order:
Art Perry - Jeffrey Harlan, Dan Worthington, Arlene Schafer, Richard Kapko and Mark Harris
Bob Ooten - Shivaji Deshmukh, Linda Dixon, Mike Harmanos, Al Morelli and Arlene Schafer
Mike Scheafer - Tamara Allee, Shivaji Deshmukh, Jeffrey Harlan, Al Morelli and Arlene Schafer
Jim Ferryman - Dan Worthington, Shivaji Deshmukh, Linda Dixon, Al Morelli and Arlene Schafer

AND THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE
The tally completed showed the following results:
Arlene Schafer - 4
Shivaji Desmukh - 3
Al Morelli - 3
Linda Dixon - 2
Jeffrey Harlan - 2
Dan Worthington - 2
Mike Harmanos - 1
Richard Kapko - 1
Mark Harris - 1
Tamara Allee - 1

THE FINALISTS
The board decided to invite six (6) candidates back - Schafer, Desmukh, Morelli, Dixon, Harlan and Worthington - rather than arbitrarily attempt to select two of the three candidates who received 2 votes each.  The directors will compile a list of questions to be asked.  Each director will ask two questions of each candidate, for a total of eight (8) questions per candidate.  The order of interviewing will be decided by drawing numbers from a hat or similar device.  Candidates will be sequestered outside the conference room  during the interviewing - but may stay once their interview is completed - to prevent any unfair advantage for those interviewed late in the process.


NEW DIRECTOR TO BE SEATED ON THE 27TH
Once the interviews are completed on Friday the board will select one to fill the Fitzpatrick vacancy.  It will be subject to a background investigation.  It is anticipated that the person selected will be sworn-in and seated at the next regular meeting, on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 5:30 p.m.

Nineteen People Vie For Sanitary District Seat

A WEALTH OF CANDIDATES

A quick peek at the Costa Mesa Sanitary District web site last night revealed that nineteen (19) individuals with very diverse backgrounds have submitted applications for consideration to fill the vacancy on the Board of Directors created by the resignation of Jim Fitzpatrick.

 
FAMILIAR NAMES, STRONG CREDENTIALS
Some of the names, listed below, will be familiar to many of you because of their previous activism in the community.  Others are newcomers to community activism, but still bring interesting experience.  Most have strong academic credentials, some of which are combined with directly related work experience.  Some of those without relevant education or work experience have very significant previous community involvement.  For example,  I noted with great interest that former mayors Linda Dixon and Arlene Schafer are in the mix.  You can read the meeting agenda and all the applications and attached resumes HERE.

NOT MUCH CHAFF, PLENTY OF WHEAT
I'm very impressed with the roster of candidates who stepped up for consideration.  With such a wealth of talent from which to select, I suspect the four board members charged with picking a new member will have some difficulty. The "winnowing" process will take place at a meeting of the board on Tuesday, February 19th, at District headquarters, 628 W. 19th Street, Costa Mesa at 11:00 a.m., according to the schedule of events on the web site.

"TOGETHERNESS", FOR SURE
If all the candidates show up Tuesday morning, and if any interested observers attend, the conference room at the District headquarters is going to be cozy, indeed.  It's going to be very interesting to see how that process plays out.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
The original published schedule indicated that the board would meet again on Friday, February 22nd, to select the new member and again on February 27th to swear-in and seat that person.  That schedule apparently is subject to modification, depending on how that winnowing process goes on Tuesday.  I suppose it is possible that the new Director could be chosen as early as the meeting on the 19th.

 
APPLICANTS, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
Tamara Allee
Shivaji Deshmukh
Linda Dixon
Paul Flanagan
Tom Graham
Jeffrey Harlan
Michael Harmanos
Donald Harper
Mark Harris
Richard Kapko
Jim Konves
Lisa Manfredi
Al Morelli
Darrell Neft
Arlene Schafer
Jerry Totman
Russell VanDegrift
Dan Worthington
Johathan Zich

Today The Healing Began - Or Did It?

IS HEALING POSSIBLE?
At this time in the history of the City of Costa Mesa, when employees are being discarded like threadbare underwear and tension between the employees and our elected leaders is palpable, events of this date may mark the beginning of healing in our city. I hope so.

AN HOUR OF PRAYER, HYMNS AND REFLECTION
For nearly an hour beginning at noon - during a steady, cold rain - more than one hundred people gathered in foul weather gear under umbrellas to circumscribe City Hall and quietly pray for young Huy Pham, for the employees, for each other and for the future of our city. These folks, representing churches in the area and residents who care, stood shivering, huddled together for strength and support as they whispered prayers and quietly sang hymns together as their own particular mood struck them.

IMAGES
Many images of that event are burned in my brain. Some of them are shared here. Like Ed Fawcett, President of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, standing alone under an umbrella quietly praying to himself a few feet from where Pham ended his life on St. Patrick's Day.






QUIET REFLECTION
Along the rear walkway stood a line of more than 20 soggy people and one drenched puppy, each in their own thoughts. Some rocked slowly back and forth, humming a tune I couldn't hear, while others mouthed words of some special verse.

RESPECTFUL MEDIA
Respectful members of the media quietly spoke with one or two of the visitors, soliciting their thoughts and feelings.

FLORAL CHAIN REMAINS
At a few minutes past 1 p.m. this quiet, caring crowd gradually dispersed, leaving behind a chain of white carnations surrounding the building as a reminder of the support they offered today.

WHAT DID THE EMPLOYEES THINK?
I know I was moved by this display today and found myself wondering how the employees within the City Hall must have felt as they looked out the windows at this human chain of compassion.

CLOUDS PART, RAIN STOPS - CEREMONY IS JUST RIGHT
Later today, under glorious blue skies with puffy white clouds in the distance, the memorial ceremony for Huy Pham took place adjacent to the spot where he took his life last Thursday. A special seating area was arranged for members of his family and City CEO Tom Hatch began the proceedings shortly after 3 p.m.

CO-WORKERS PRAISE HUY PHAM
Several co-workers spoke about their time with Huy Pham, who has been described as a stellar employee. Most described his dedication to his job and the skills he had developed. One former supervisor referred to him in glowing terms and, at the end of his short, passionate speech, barely choked out the fact that he thought of Pham as a son.

NAGAHVI GUIDES SILENCE
Public Services Director Peter Naghavi took the podium to lead the crowd in 30 seconds of silence to honor Huy Pham.

CHAPLAIN OFFERS ENCOURAGEMENT
Police Chaplain Decker - who just happened to be in the building last Thursday at the time of the tragedy - spoke to the crowd of around 250 people assembled for this service, offering words of encouragement and directed those who felt the need of some personal consultation to canopies behind City Hall where counselors were available.

FORMER OFFICIALS
Many current and former city officials were present today. I saw former councilwomen Katrina Foley, Sandra Genis, Linda Dixon and former councilman Jay Humphrey. It seemed to me that the crowd was made up mainly of employees, with about a third being residents and other concerned citizens.

STOIC STOOGES
Mayor Gary Monahan, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer and Councilman Steve Mensinger stood in a group off to the right and moved nary a muscle during the ceremony. Once the Pham family had been escorted into City Hall, the three men also slipped into the building. That was probably a very good idea, because there was still a strong undercurrent of anger in the crowd.

SHARED CONCERN
Following the ceremony the crowd just seemed to hang around, commiserating with each other, sharing stories of Pham and trying to get their heads around just what happened on St. Patrick's Day. There was much conversation about the direction the city is headed now. I heard no positive thoughts about it, only apprehension about what's ahead. There were concerns about individual jobs, mortgages, families and their futures. Many of the people with whom I spoke had received 6-month layoff notices last Thursday and were uniformly somber.

TRAGEDY CHANGED NOTHING
When I expressed the view that the ceremonies today might form a foundation for healing, most replied that it didn't really change anything - that the city council has given no indication of a willingness to change their course.

APPREHENSION CONFIRMED
Then, this evening, I heard Jim Righeimer talk with John and Ken on their afternoon radio show. Nothing he said today gave me any encouragement that he will do anything other than move full speed ahead on the course to outsource at least half of the city staff. Quite the contrary. Despite the terrible emotional impact the death of Huy Pham has had on the staff and that the elected leadership has come under fire for major gaffes in the wake of this tragedy, Righeimer seemed unmoved by this issue.

I'M CONCERNED FOR OUR CITY
Tonight, as I wrap this up, I'm very concerned for our city. I continue to hear rumblings of imminent departure of more senior staffers and a growing discontent among city employees. I saw consultant Bill Lobdell in the crowd today - shown here with new City Attorney Tom Duarte (right). I'm sure he now realizes just what a big job he has ahead of him. I find myself wondering if he will actually be allowed to do what they've hired him to do. He's probably going to advise them to do things that are against their nature - and these guys don't respond well when asked to do something they don't want to do. I guess we'll see very soon.