Sunday, April 24, 2011

Mensinger Accused By Teacher

IS HE THAT DUMB?
Is it possible that Costa Mesa City Councilman Steve Mensinger - the fellow who was NOT elected by the voters, but was appointed by his buddy, Jim Righeimer and two other cohorts in January - is REALLY as stupid as he's been acting in the past week?


CHEST-BUMPING ALLEGED
In an article by Daily Pilo
t Editor John Canalis published online in the Daily Pilot and the OC Now blog Sunday evening, HERE, Mensinger is accused by Estancia High School teacher Joel Flores of "chest-bumping" him Saturday morning - and not in the "good way" shown in this photo - during a discussion at Jim Scott Stadium, the site of a fun run. Based on the quotes from the article, both men are adamant about the events that morning. Flores said he was bumped, Mensinger said he didn't do it.

A WITNESS, BUT HARDLY IMPARTIAL
Mensinger apparently has a witness who corroborates his version - one Robert Murtha, father of Estancia High School star running back Robert Murtha. You will recall that, on the evening of Mensinger's appointment, Murtha was one of many people who stood at the speaker's podium and heaped praise on Mensinger for his positive involvement in youth sports and the football program specifically. He could hardly be described as an impartial observer in this situation.

ACCUSER HAS AN AX TO GRIND
If you've been paying attention to civic events recently you may have seen Flore
s stand before the City Council and strongly recommend that it rescind the recent layoff notices. And, yes, I've seen him in the ads distributed by Repair Costa Mesa, too. He's made it abundantly clear that he has an ax to grind with Mensinger and the rest of the council majority.

READ THE ARTICLE YOURSELF
You can read the article and try to decipher the "he said, he said" dialogue for yourself. I suspect this is not the last we're going to hear about it. I
n fact, The City of Costa Mesa published a comment about it on its Facebook page this evening, too.

MENSINGER'S STATEMENT
What really got my attention, though, were the quotes attributed to Mensinger by Canalis. According to Canalis, when asked about this event Mensinger said the following:

"This is the kind of thing that occurs, when outside interests attempt take control of local government. They will do anything to disparage our city leaders even if it means fabricating incidents. No matter what they do I remain committed to balancing our budget.


A SLOW LEARNER?

I've watched Mensinger in action on the Planning Commission and, since January, on the City Council. I've seen him treat speakers before him with disrespect, chide fellow council members and staffers, busy himself sending and receiving text messages while on the dais during meetings and, most recently, make the most amazingly stupid statements while on the dais, which I wrote about HERE. I've never thought of him as a particularly slow learner - a bully - yes, but a slow learner - no.

BUT...
However, here he is again, less than a week after making that statement about "outside influences", doing it all over again.

ZIP IT FOR AWHILE, STEVE
I hope this issue will be resolved quickly and that the truth of the matter will be known. Until that happens, though, Mensinger's friends should probably counsel him to just keep his mouth shut for awhile. Lately, it seems that every time he opens it he manages to jam one foot firmly inside. I suggest he consider a quotation attributed to Abraham Lincoln in which he said, "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."

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39 Comments:

Anonymous thalia said...

Even with a so-called "axe to grind" it would be difficult to force someone to yell in your face, point a finger at you, repeatedly bump you with their chest, and block your path as you try to walk away...and this is what happened to Flores after he spoke his mind to Mensinger at the community run. Yes, Flores may be fed-up with Mensinger and his cohorts on the council, but shouldn't a resident and teacher IN Costa Mesa have a right to speak his mind to his councilman without fear of this kind of assault?!! Shame on Mensinger - he IS a bully! I wonder if he still carries around the "Sheriff" badge he received from Mike Corona?! Know the facts on that little story about Mensinger?? It's a doozy!

www.lagunajournal.com/stephen_mensinger_an_o.htm

4/24/2011 11:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Drama and Costa Mesa is REALITY said...

Doesn't suprise me a bit. This man is a bully. Friday, he throws flowers away at City Hall someone placed in honor of Huy Pham, Saturday, he is accused by a teacher of assault; what act of evil is next? The City of Costa Mesa is going to a lawsuit on their hands. You can't bully your employees on a daily basis and expect life to go on it's cherry way. When is the madness going to stop? Recall these bozos.

4/25/2011 04:12:00 AM  
Anonymous Mensinger is a BULLY said...

This is a pattern by this man. The article below is from 2006. Mensinger has a documented history of bully others. Naysayers- what do have to say to this? Proof is in the pudding!http://www.lagunajournal.com/stephen_mensinger_an_o.htm

4/25/2011 04:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Pentagon Hexagram said...

Don't know whether to laugh or cry at this.

Go back and watch the video of Orange County Republican chair Scott Baugh describing Costa Mesa as "Ground Zero" in his war against public employees.

Baugh and his close allies have decided that Costa Mesa is their experiment, their laboratory for pushing to eliminate over 100 years of good government reforms.

And it's all wrapped up in propaganda. We have a new hired gun trumpeting transparency while Council members hide their actions from the public, using their personal emails to avoid public scrutiny. They are hiring consultants with no-bid contracts, and hiding their process from view with their "two-person working group subcommittees". We suddenly have a new Public Affairs Manager, Dan Joyce, filling a position that was eliminated from the budget.

Growthpoint, their new personnel consultant, charging over $200 an hour, lists only two public agencies on their referral list, the City of Compton, and the Compton Unified School District. But M

Their pension crisis has proven to be as phony as a three dollar bill, and they only have a budget crisis because they want to increase spending dramatically.

It's not just that Mensinger is a bully. He's also decided that the rules don't apply to him, that he can run a government like a booster group or a development limited liability partnership.

4/25/2011 07:03:00 AM  
Anonymous bc reader said...

Thank you Pentagon Hexagram,
Please continue this kind of post so we, the outsiders, will know how the insiders work!

4/25/2011 07:34:00 AM  
Blogger Joe said...

Once a bully, always a bully.
Once a liar, always a liar.
That Charlie Sheen haircut is his "freak flag."
Will Menssy start calling Flores a "dumb blond" like he did to the airport employee in 2006?

Totalitarians on both the left and the right always start by attacking professionals. Then they stage something like the burning of the Reichstag (rock at Mayor Kilt's bar, imaginary budget shortfalls, invented pension disaster) to convince the less-educated that the totalitarians' "expert help" is needed immediately.

All you gotta do is temporarily give up your rights, give these fine fellows unlimited power,then everything will be good again.

Wrong.

4/25/2011 07:56:00 AM  
Anonymous Phil said...

It is clearly now time for the FBI to begin investigating this extremist, hate group, "Repair Costa Mesa." Based on eyewitness accounts, the teacher started this thing. He should be charged with filing a false police report. These guys are responsible for the brick attack at Monahan's and their hatred is downright terrifying. This creep is a self-avowed Communist and labor agitator who teaches. Thank god my kids are out of our schools by now! To think, this guy could be teaching them. Sends chills down my spine!!!

4/25/2011 08:06:00 AM  
Anonymous scratch my back said...

Umm, the same Dan Joyce that helped direct the Costa Mesa Community Run? Did he get paid or was it volunteer position? I guess, Mr. Flores won't recieve much help from him.

4/25/2011 08:15:00 AM  
Blogger Joe said...

Geoff,
Funny, that when push came to shove (literally), all Menssy could do was quote what his masters taught him- the "outside influences" mantra. Whatever one thinks of Flores, he's certainly not from the outside.

I'm rethinking my disdain for Steve. Maybe he's really a well-trained dog who just needs a new master. Will Riggy or Scott Baugh sell?

4/25/2011 08:30:00 AM  
Anonymous Barry P. said...

Yes, BC, Flores is that dumb. Attack an official with witnesses around. This guy is going to lose his job and have a criminal record when all of this is done. Memo to the extremists out there--if you're going to attack an official, at least do it when no witnesses are around. That's pretty basic stuff. What a dumb teacher.

4/25/2011 08:57:00 AM  
Anonymous mike m said...

Extreme hate group? Wow, this Repair Costa Mesa group has already risen to the level of the KKK in Phil's mind. Apparently he's solved the 'brick through the window' crime as well.

This whole thing has crossed the line into high comedy. Since the local press doesn't seem willing to dig much deeper into what's really going on, it should be interesting to see what conclusions The New Yorker comes up with. At least they have actual, real journalists. Of course, whatever they do find will just get spun by both sides.

I've not been a big fan of the recall idea, but that might be the only avenue to determine where the residents of this city truly stand, since both sides seem to think they stand with them.

4/25/2011 08:59:00 AM  
Anonymous Lost Respect said...

I have lost respect for the Repair Costa Mesa folks. They appear to be driven by anger, and that is never a good thing. At first I liked having someone to counter balance. Now they show themselves as nothing more than lunatics. Now that I get some background many are the same ones that have been carrying the same message for a long time and are disruptive to the City.

It concerns me that Council members are being attacked. No more Repair Costa Mesa for me.

4/25/2011 09:08:00 AM  
Blogger feral390 said...

First off, YES Mensinger is that dumb.He also thinks he is some kind of tough guy that can do whatever he wants. Did the teacher really get pushed ? who knows.
Just another chapter in the daily embarrassment that this City has become.
And what about the security videos from Skosh's ? and the contents of the alleged threatening note ? and when will Chuck Lobdell write another bogus one sided press release titled.."councilman violently attacked at charity run".
Oh and thanks Phil for giving me my laugh of the day when you asked for the FBI to investigate repair costa mesa....yup Al Qaeda, the taliban, somali pirates, KKK and repair costa mesa. Good call Phil

4/25/2011 09:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Pat said...

This Flores guy IS A COMMUNIST. I just checked his Facebook page. He will garner ZERO sympathy in this City. Are there still Communists even around these parts? LOL. This joke of a story just made my day. Good luck trying to spin this one labor.

4/25/2011 09:50:00 AM  
Anonymous mike m said...

Regarding the quote in the statement, how is Flores an 'outside influence' if he lives AND teaches in Costa Mesa? Does it make me an outside influence that I don't live on the MVCC golf course, but rather a few streets over? The company line is getting old...

4/25/2011 10:03:00 AM  
Anonymous Mike Briggs said...

So Estancia High has Communists teaching our kids? Glad we send our kids to Calvary!

4/25/2011 10:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Sgt. Joe Friday said...

When someone says, "Maybe my jacket hit him" that is what we call a clue. It is a clue that the person is lying. The fact that Mensinger couldn't come up with a better lie than what a 1st grader could says it all. Some community service picking up open beer bottles at the intersection of Pomona/18th Street seems like a fair punishment. That way, if Mensinger gets yelled at it will be in spanish so he won't even know what is going on.

4/25/2011 10:30:00 AM  
Blogger Bruce Krochman said...

Good grief people...

This is simple bush league politics.

Flores was, if not dispatched to incite an altercation, directed to look for opportunities to involve Mensinger in publicity that couold create negative headlines. The unions are building a dossier to clobber Mensinger with in 2012 when his term expires.

Mensinger needs to go to a Politics 101 class. It is sometimes tough to make the transition from the real world to the political rabbit hole he has fallen down.

Expect more of the same. You will see some form of this with McCarthy as well. McCarthy should take note and be prepared!

God help us all...

4/25/2011 10:45:00 AM  
Blogger The Pot Stirrer said...

Bruce Krochman,

I agree with your first sentence, but it works both ways...

Steve tells us "outside interests" are messing with our politics - and he's right. When the OC GOP plans to make our city the tip of the lance for pension reform at least state-wide, that's "outside interference".

Your comment about Flores "being dispatched to incite an altercation", it sounds VERY much like the dust-up Righeimer created last year at the DUI checkpoint with the cops AND the whole bogus "stinkeye" affair, too.

I don't like the tack the Repair Costa Mesa people have taken with their ads and I don't like what Righeimer and his cronies are trying to do to this city with fabricated crises. Hopefully, tomorrow real, unbiased light will finally be shined on our fiscal situation so all of us can understand what's going on without political spin.

4/25/2011 11:18:00 AM  
Blogger Bruce Krochman said...

Geoff,

You are right about ideological influences on both side; both internal and external.

I left out the history of these types of incidents simply for brevity, not bias.

My major point being that these incidents are predictable as the political stakes have been raised by both sides.

Although, both side could help minimize this type of political theater defensively and should attempt to do so for their own selfish reasons.

The side benefit would be ours for not having to listen to the collective hue and cry as each situation unfolds to our great dismay.

I can't wait to see what is next... wait... yes I can!

4/25/2011 11:36:00 AM  
Anonymous OCLonghair said...

FYI (u)feral390(/u), the FBI handles only domestic issues; KKK and Repair would be under their jurisdiction; the others are covered by the CIA and the new 3rd Reich Homeland Security.

Just saying...

4/25/2011 12:19:00 PM  
Anonymous Greg "I am a Pawn" Ridge said...

This was posted earlier, wanted let everyone I agree with the assesment ...

Finally. I knew it. Greg Ridge does not wear the pants in the family, now his wife gives proof. Thank you for taking out the guess work.

It is sad to watch Greg Ridge. Once upon a time while perhaps medicated Gericault had some decent ideas and did some good for the City.

Lately we have all watched the sad transition where he became the sacrificial pawn for the high net worth horse people at the Fair Grounds. Sad to watch as they “trotted” him out and scripted his comments.
Now, we see Greg Ridge aligned with the likes of Sandy Genis with Repair Costa Mesa. Again, so sad to see his efforts be so disruptive, angry, emotional and lack all facts and transparency he seeks in others.

At the very least I would be embarrassed that my wife had to come out to fight my battles. Maybe that is why he works so well with Sandy … do you think Sandy makes him dress up in private?

4/25/2011 03:27:00 PM  
Anonymous Common Sense Must Prevail said...

The Repair Costa Mesa crowd is loaded with psychopaths. A lack of respect for others, coupled with a complete lack of compassion and absolutely no empathy equals a full blown psychopath.

The difference between the city council and the Repair Costa Mesa nut jobs is that the council is acting in the best interests of 114,500 plus Costa Mesa residents, while Repair Costa Mesa is acting in their own best interest (the latter being Greg Ridge, Sandy Genis, Jeff Teller, Geoff West, the union reps, city employees, etc.)

I think you get the picture.

The question is,---- do we want our elected city councilmen running this city, or a bunch of radical extremists with their hands in the pockets of the taxpayers?

4/25/2011 03:38:00 PM  
Anonymous FYI said...

Flores is a wimp and a cry baby. Even his students have no respect for him.

4/25/2011 03:42:00 PM  
Blogger ERIC said...

BROWN ACT VIOLATION or at the very least A CONFLICT OF INTEREST -
Its clear the arrogance of the 4 amigos is out of control. They refuse to listen to the public, they make things up / or fabricate information to scare the public and support their GOP agendas.

But did anyone catch the two headed monster ( Righeimer/Mensinger ) trying to pull a fast one on citizens? Did anyone catch that Righeimer threw a BIG BONE to Mensinger and his personal agenda at the last meeting. ( I wonder if they chest bumped after concocting this plan )
Lets call it the FIREWORKS GENERATE MORE MONEY FOR MENSINGER plan-
Does anyone find it odd that during the GOP agenda to attack Fire and Police in Costa Mesa, Righeimer ask for 4 days of fireworks? Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday??? Why? At what cost to the city for protection? At what cost for safety of its citizens or their property? AND THE BIG QUESTION, who is to benefit...... yup- Mensinger and his HALF DOZEN groups that run Firework stands.
Mensinger has tried for years to extend the sales and use of fireworks...... Now that he and Righeimer run the city, what better time to implement something that benefits him.

Here are just a few statements from past News articles involving Mensinger and Fireworks:

from 2009 Daily Pilot-Mensinger states"I will not only vehemently oppose any efforts to penalize those who use legal fireworks, I will organize and lead the effort to oppose and remove officials who support these kinds of misuse of power...... I have to surmise that she (Leece) is confusing what she believes is a public safety issue with what most of us accept as a responsibility and privilege. The use of safe and sane fireworks not only generates $400,000 yearly for youth sports and academic programs, but it remains as a reminder to a tradition that brings us together.
I am reaching out to those like Leece to put forth energy in solving the real issues in our community that affect all of us the other 364 days a year. How many times will we allow our elected officials and staff to waste tax dollars(consultants?) on insignificant issues? Perhaps we should expect the police and fire departments to do their jobs without overtime"
(Let me paraphrase that last line- Lets create a more intense, highly dangerous situation, AND MAKE FIRE AND POLICE WORK MORE HOURS FOR FREE)
OC Register - 2010:
Five nonprofits, including Costa Mesa Pop Warner Football officially submitted requests for the time extension. (for fireworks).Steve Mensinger, president of both Pop Warner and Estancia Eagles Football, testified that fireworks sales are critical revenue sources that raise $500,000 for youth sports. Shiloh Godshall,Pop Warner board member, said the organization raises more than $16k in fireworks sales annually....Police Chief Shawkey and Fire Chief Mike Morgan warned against the extension of fireworks sales and the sale of sparklers due to safety concerns...."Morning Glories are harmless," he (Mensinger) said. "It's an enormous revenue generator for the program and it's an enormous revenue generator for the city."
------------
** So basically: More Fireworks, More Fires, More injuries, Less Police and Fire are all OK, as long as it brings in MORE MONEY FOR MENSINGER'S GROUPS. **

4/25/2011 04:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Check it out said...

Steve has an amazing disregard for rules. Somebody ask how much money he cost the NMUSD in a lawsuit.

A cub reporter could earn some stripes with this one.

No doubt Steve pushed Flores.

No doubt Flores pushed his buttons which isnt hard to do. Mensy is soooo emotional.

Not worthy of an assault, but Flores wins.

4/25/2011 04:59:00 PM  
Blogger The Pot Stirrer said...

"Common Sense Must Prevail" (talk about a misnomer!), I wondered how long it would take for the lunatic fringe to step up...

So, having an opposing view to yours (and those of those you support - the OC GOP-driven city council) makes that person a psychopath, huh? Definition of that word: "A person with an antisocial personality disorder, especially one manifested in perverted, criminal, or amoral behavior." That sure sounds like someone who "chest-bumps" a person with an opposing view, or flashes a bogus police badge when not served quickly at a baggage claim venue, to me.

I assume you've applied that definition to all those folks you mentioned in your post, including me. Thank you very much. I'm very sorry your keeper forgot your meds this afternoon, and also forgot to re-lock your cage.

Since I, personally, do not belong to any group called "Repair Costa Mesa" - if there is such a group - do not have "my hands in the pockets of the taxpayers" and write what I do here and elsewhere to provide a view for all Costa Mesa residents to consider - all 109,000 of them, based on the most recent census - I was very amused when I read your rant. As inaccurate and juvenile as it was I still decided to post it so my readers here can get a very good idea of the kind of people who support Mensinger, Righeimer and their ilk. Thanks for playing here, now please go take a pill before you stroke-out.

4/25/2011 05:05:00 PM  
Anonymous I was so disappointed said...

when I found out this didn't involve a female. That would have been intersting. This is just politics.

4/25/2011 05:33:00 PM  
Blogger Chris McEvoy said...

I remember a few years back mensinger got in my face. he was upset because the Pilot published my opinion piece, which they titled ‘righeimer not good for our city’ . mensinger has no problem using his size to intimidate you and still believe to this day his conversation to me did not escalate because then Pilot reporter Allen Blank was standing right there. mensinger also got stuck with a mantra then too, something about respecting property rights and how I should ask Leece about it.

Is stephan slow? Not sure. I have definitely never thought of him as a thinker. I guess that fits his image of just do it and then tell everyone about it later. One of my favorites was how he kept referring to Hatch as city manager right after they changed the title to CEO.

Kind off topic here, did riggy ever pen a proposition for our state to vote on?

4/25/2011 05:49:00 PM  
Anonymous Steve Mensinger is an IDIOT said...

I find it amusing the GOP Group finds fault with Flores when Councilman Mensinger has a long history of thug-like behavior. Case in point:

2006 Airport Instance with Alaska Airlines- Complaint filed against Steve Mensinger

November 2010 to the Present- The complete and utter arrogance and disregard for City of Costa Mesa Residents

March 2011 Steve Mensinger lunges back at distraught employee after learning of Huy Phams death- who does that?

April 2011 Steve Mensinger with evil intent is accused of throwing flowers away intended for Huy Pham

April 2011 Steve Mensinger uses intimidation to scare Teacher Flores

The accusations of "outside Union interests" is getting old GOP Folks.. you can blame US for everything from the sky falling to Obama being black but in reality Steve Mensinger is a thug, a thief, and tired old man. Get this idiot out of city hall before the City of Costa Mesa is sued.

4/25/2011 06:02:00 PM  
Anonymous Larry Hemming said...

It's really amazing that Herr Mensinger can flash his toy Sheriff's badge, call baggage attendants "dumb blonds" as reported in the LA Times and expect the Costa Mesa Community at large to buy his version of the incident at Estancia High this Saturday. The other ignominious incident involving the disrespect for Huy Pham indicates the true nature of the beast. He should not be referred to as a Councilman because he was never elected. He is the an Appointee to the City Council. What an insult to the word "democracy", Let's vote for a real candidate- not some puppet that will probably do time with Ex O.C. Sheriff Carona for assault.

4/25/2011 06:15:00 PM  
Anonymous mike m said...

Ah yes, the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of our council majority is 'compassion' ... guess I prefer being a psychopath, but I am starting to think the Repair team is playing right into the hands of the current regime, and it's not going to work in the long run.

4/25/2011 06:22:00 PM  
Blogger Joe said...

The DP is reporting that Menssy did in fact file a formal complaint today with NMSD against Flores.

Just another bully trying to get to the principal's office before the victim.

Rumor has it that right after the confrontation, Little Stevie ran home and started crying uncontrollably.

4/25/2011 06:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Max said...

Mr. Pawn (Guess What), it's sad to see you use personal attacks and still not bring a facts to the table. Do you appreciate personal attacks or people that attack your wife or kids? That's cool if you like it, most people don't. You should post on CM Press. Your bitterness and hatred might be welcome there.

When you stick to the facts and issues you realize why so many people don't like Riggy and crew. The fact you resort to personal attacks pretty much says it all.

4/25/2011 06:39:00 PM  
Anonymous Max said...

Eric, excellent point. That means Mensinger can't vote on the fireworks issue by the way. At the very least, it would be unethical for him to do so.

4/25/2011 06:44:00 PM  
Anonymous internet bully said...

It looks like Mensinger is posting under the name Reatility Check on the register. And yes he misspelled it.

4/25/2011 10:35:00 PM  
Anonymous What a waste of time said...

I've heard of Mensinger-Flores encounters being called "two kids peeing in a schoolyard," but I never thought I'd see something so close to the real thing. Both of you: Sit down, shut up and get back to work!

4/26/2011 11:03:00 AM  
Anonymous whut said...

Vote Chris McEvoy! oh wait the elections are over.

4/26/2011 01:48:00 PM  
Anonymous take cm back said...

This is not mensinger s 1st dance,the question is did he use his office to threaten, also. He did the same thing on the planning commission. There is a rule about dogs. If they bite once. They will always bite. Get the attorneys ready. This guy won't change his ways. Who at the district did he complain to, Foley I think the attorney general will get involved if he is also using the office to threaten .

4/26/2011 08:28:00 PM  

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