http://friendlyfortuna.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1082 Today's Agenda.
Fortuna City Council member Dean Glaser is supporting Allan Dollison. He tried to explain to the staff and city attorney that at least 1 out of the other 4 people sitting on the dais with him, which includes Mayor Strehl and 3 other city council members need to step down because there is a conflict of interest from them to vote on this ordinance.
Mike Losey, Sue Long, Tami Trent are all listed as supporters of Maggie Fleming. Mayor Strehl could be a supporter but since her list is partial on website who knows? He claimed he is not supporting anyone.
In a rare moment Mike Losey who is supporting Maggie Fleming, Allan Dollison and Elan Firpo's campaign manager Jaison Chand exchanged pleasantries before the meeting.
The ordinance was passed 4 to 1, Glaser dissenting.
The issue is not the ordinance but the lack of notification, the way it was handled. Watch today's meeting on Channel 10. Free speech and objectivity is well and alive in Fortuna, when convenient. Not to mention their website which is not user friendly and agendas and minutes are uploaded willy-nilly.
Item VI. Business Number C: Adopt Urgency Ordinance 2014-706, Suspending Section 17.05180 (D) (1) (b) of the Fortuna Municipal Code affecting Political Signs, for a period of six months.
From this point on, my reporting will include a personal perspective because I cannot stand bullying and I do not like people who abuse authority, so read with that disclosure. Fortuna City officials, take note, that is how you disclose your intent.
When the time came for this item to be discussed, Mayor Strehl commented, "I did not think it would be so controversial."
The City Attorney then said in addition to the correction from suspending to amending that Strehl mentioned, the line for a period of six months should be stricken.
The City Attorney said "a candidate has signs up". That candidate is Maggie Fleming but he did not mention her name.
The City attorney added that this ordinance was temporary, that the Planning Commission had to look into it and send back recommendations, and it was not about size, just no time frame when signs can go up.
"We don't usually adopt an urgency ordinance because it requires a 4/5th majority and does not require a second reading," said the City Attorney. "This is only valid for 45 days. I don't think the Planning Commission can receive and make recommendations (in this time frame), so in April we will ask you to adopt a 2nd ordinance."
Following so far. Very user friendly right? Logical? Also in front of the camera the City Attorney gave the background information on how this ordinance came about. If you want the real story, read my blog, read comments on other blogs, read Thad Greenson's article, do your own research and put together your own puzzle.
Fortuna City Attorney and Mayor and 3 council members and the City Manager have their version of truth; let us all play the "make it up as we go along game."
More convoluted explanations. This only applies to political signs, not all signs and "we are setting aside a time limit temporarily while we decide what time limit". Make sense? All this will really help the voters decide in a timely manner who they should vote for.
Now, somehow only Maggie Fleming knew of this supposed change, none of the other DA candidates, none of the other candidates running for office and if you watch this entire item on TV, you will see those who voted in favor snap at Allan Dollison and Jaison Chand and say it is not the City of Fortuna's responsibility to inform the candidates, the candidates need to keep up with these things.
Yeah, in the middle of campaigning, candidates or their supporters should keep an eye on what happens in the City of Fortuna because they might do something of interest. Based on today's borefest meeting which would instantly cure insomnia, why would anyone care what Fortuna is passing. Even the items that did not involve the ordinance were a whole bunch of talk about nothing that only made sense to the inner clique.
I think I have disclosed more times that I am an Elan supporter than the City of Fortuna did about this ordinance change. Where is Peter Martin to cry alleged violation of Brown Act or free speech when you really need him.
Glaser got to speak and he said, "there is a potential conflict of interest of 4 members, sitting on both sides of me" referring to Long, Strehl, Losey and Trent.He pointed out why there was also financial gain. One example was "Mike has been a DA investigator, worked 20 years in the DA's office, could get a part-time or full-time job." He said they should recuse themselves.
Losey retorted, "This is absurd! I have no intention of going back full-time or part-time." Note made Mike, so if Maggie is elected, we will hold you to this public remark.
Strehl tried to spin voting patterns have changed. People vote early and Strehl adamantly said, "I have never endorsed a candidate!" Voting patterns suddenly became relevant this year? I did not know signs were such a crucial part of voter education. Throw away those brochures and buttons candidates, Fortuna has the winning formula.
The City Manager and Attorney piled onto the bully pulpit, all attacking Glaser, and later dissing Dollison and Chand; in fact Losey interrupted during public comment. After all, he did not have ample opportunity to speak.
At this point, they deigned to ask for public comment.
DA Candidate Allan Dollison spoke. One of the points he raised was that in a highly contested race, "Why now? Is it really an emergency?"
Jaison Chand, who is Elan Firpo's campaign manager spoke next. He said while he moved to Eureka a year ago, he is a lifelong resident and still has business interests in Fortuna . "I am here to get clarification." He said "we only learned of this ordinance change 10 days ago." He said he just learned that is an amendment not a suspension. And that his biggest concern was not the change but the process. Referring to the unnamed candidate, Chand said, "That candidate knew something we did not know." He said all candidates should have been notified and all 4 DA candidates should have been involved in this decision.
Arnie Klein and his campaign, as usual, were missing in action when it really matters.
Now conveniently, the ordinance defenders once again changed reasons mid-stream and said it was not just about the June election but all elections. And then knowing full well, they had a majority of 4, they passed the ordinance. Justice was indeed served in the democratic process tonight.
Maggie Fleming has elected officials on her partial list of endorsements, she has major law enforcement endorsers, she has County Counsel employees openly endorsing her; her supporters clearly think rules do not apply to her or them.
People accuse Paul of abusing his power. Imagine a candidate who has the backing of elected officials, labor unions, major organizations, law enforcement, County Counsel as your next DA and this behavior above is before the election. You really want 1 person being beholden to all those special interests?
Guess Maggie must really need those signs in Fortuna ahead of time, even though she has been crowned by many as the front runner in this race. This is one of many such actions by Maggie supporters that she has allowed time after time with excuses and why she did not get my endorsement for DA. We need someone who can be fair, not someone who will say and do anything to win.
Where are all the investigative reporters on this story? Ryan, Hank, Kevin, does it have to involve the GPU to be covered? Thad, will you do a follow-up that actually does not let them get away with semantics?
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