Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Your Neighbor, The Pit Bull, Attacks
Public meetings in Costa Mesa have been very interesting
theater for the past few years. Monday night's marathon Planning
Commission meeting was no exception.
The meeting started off with a bang when a local activist who resembles my theoretical character, Your Neighbor, stood up as the first speaker in the Public Comments portion and read the riot act to the commissioners. He criticized them for meeting with developers to discuss the projects coming before them and made only marginally veiled accusations that there was corruption involved, actually using the word "bribes". This, of course, rankled more than one commissioner. Crusty veteran Donn Hall, a former mayor of this city, took this activist on - a joy to see - in a heated exchange.
This activist, who frequently stands before public bodies and yaps at them like a deranged pit bull, has a very transparent agenda. Last night it was clear to me that this is the first of many pre-emptive strikes at potential opponents of Mayor Allan Mansoor in the upcoming election campaign. He used his three minutes to intimate improprieties on the part of two potential candidates, commissioners Bruce Garlich and Jim Fisler. This activist was instrumental in getting Mansoor elected four years ago and frequently reminds our young jailer/mayor that he could get him un-elected, too.
Following his rant before the commission he apparently dashed home and fired off a blog entry outlining his "instructions" on how the commission should do it's job.
When this activist stands there, practically foaming at the mouth, I find myself thinking that he needs a few sessions with Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer. As the summer wears on I fully expect Your Neighbor, the pit bull, to stand before any official body he can find and try to influence the election by defaming opponents of his chosen slate of candidates.
The remainder of the Planning Commission meeting was very interesting, too, because of the large number of contentious issues being heard last night. As I watched the proceedings until the bitter end, well after midnight this morning, I found myself grateful for the patience of the commissioners as they waded through the details of these projects, attempting to find reasonable resolutions, when it was clear in a couple cases that parties on at least one side of the issue were lying through their teeth.
Of course, commission chairman Bill Perkins - in his own inept way - attempted to overlay his values on the proceedings as he preached and pontificated to several applicants. He's a perfect example of what happens when an immature individual somehow manages to attain a position of authority. We can thank our lucky stars that three seats on that particular commission are occupied by mature, seasoned professionals who know how to keep the proceedings from going off the deep end.
Watching these meetings is very instructive as we begin the campaign season. It's going to be a very interesting few months. In the meantime, does anyone know a good dog catcher?
11:12 am pdt
The meeting started off with a bang when a local activist who resembles my theoretical character, Your Neighbor, stood up as the first speaker in the Public Comments portion and read the riot act to the commissioners. He criticized them for meeting with developers to discuss the projects coming before them and made only marginally veiled accusations that there was corruption involved, actually using the word "bribes". This, of course, rankled more than one commissioner. Crusty veteran Donn Hall, a former mayor of this city, took this activist on - a joy to see - in a heated exchange.
This activist, who frequently stands before public bodies and yaps at them like a deranged pit bull, has a very transparent agenda. Last night it was clear to me that this is the first of many pre-emptive strikes at potential opponents of Mayor Allan Mansoor in the upcoming election campaign. He used his three minutes to intimate improprieties on the part of two potential candidates, commissioners Bruce Garlich and Jim Fisler. This activist was instrumental in getting Mansoor elected four years ago and frequently reminds our young jailer/mayor that he could get him un-elected, too.
Following his rant before the commission he apparently dashed home and fired off a blog entry outlining his "instructions" on how the commission should do it's job.
When this activist stands there, practically foaming at the mouth, I find myself thinking that he needs a few sessions with Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer. As the summer wears on I fully expect Your Neighbor, the pit bull, to stand before any official body he can find and try to influence the election by defaming opponents of his chosen slate of candidates.
The remainder of the Planning Commission meeting was very interesting, too, because of the large number of contentious issues being heard last night. As I watched the proceedings until the bitter end, well after midnight this morning, I found myself grateful for the patience of the commissioners as they waded through the details of these projects, attempting to find reasonable resolutions, when it was clear in a couple cases that parties on at least one side of the issue were lying through their teeth.
Of course, commission chairman Bill Perkins - in his own inept way - attempted to overlay his values on the proceedings as he preached and pontificated to several applicants. He's a perfect example of what happens when an immature individual somehow manages to attain a position of authority. We can thank our lucky stars that three seats on that particular commission are occupied by mature, seasoned professionals who know how to keep the proceedings from going off the deep end.
Watching these meetings is very instructive as we begin the campaign season. It's going to be a very interesting few months. In the meantime, does anyone know a good dog catcher?
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