Bits And Pieces 55

I've been doing other things and haven't been watching was has been going on lately.

First though, if you visit our very own Terrace Cinemas and buy a large drink, guess what they say should happen if you say to the counter person, 'I like walking the dog'?

You get a FREE hot dog during March. I didn't take advantage of the free candy provided in February, but I just might head to our great multiplex when "Hunger Games" comes out because Terri, as one of the Library Aides at Miraleste told me, it is a very hot book for Intermediate School readers.

We're still waiting for something coming out about Ponte Vista. I do know that iStar Financial, the backers of the project posted a fourth quarter 2011 loss of $35 Million and a total loss for 2011 of $62 Million. Oh well, their troubles continue.

Is it now time for me to say, "I told you so"?

What is now growing more apparent by the day is that folks on all sides of the political spectrum in R.P.V. are up in arms about this "Code of Conduct" and at least one C.C. member's attempt to make fundamental changes in the way our Council members, Planning Commission members and other residents who volunteer their services to all us on commissions, committees and other groups, operate.

There is talk swirling around that this one particular C.C. member may be cahoots with our City Manager to rest far too much power for the City Manager position and do away with many of the checks and balances we have seen in our city, for decades.

Imagine having to tell our City Manager where you are going and what you intend to do if you wish to address other city councils, other cities commissions and staff members.

Consider that what you say, as a volunteer in our city, might get you 'fired' because it may not be appropriate in the opinion of one person.

Imagine having to sign what can only be described as a 'loyalty pledge' if you plan on serving our city as a trained and highly qualified volunteer.

Imagine still, that all of the rumblings have been done in the back room or at the side or our City Manager, by one C.C. member and not via a majority vote of our Council.

Think about our elected representatives NOT being able to vote to place something on THEIR meeting agenda.

Consider that so many of our volunteer Council, Commission and Committee members are very qualified and we know that really do have the best interests of our residents in mind, except probably for one C.C. member.

What has been going on has gotten the ire of liberals, moderates, moderate conservatives and yes, ever folks on the far right side of politics. Many of these folks voted for the one C.C. member now seemingly wishing to put their agenda into play, by going behind the rules and trying to get theirs enacted.

Okay, it's "Our Ms. Brooks" that is the one so many folks are bothered by.

I have been out of the loop all year and I haven't paid too much attention to any individual C.C. member. So don't blame me for instigating anything. I just happen to one of the residents other 'little birdies' talk to.

What is really surprising is who is up in arms and how different all of these folks are. It's certainly not the far lefties like me who are the only ones questioning Ms. Brooks' tactics and goals.

Oh well, again. I had many guesses throughout the campaign that things would be like this and I wasn't too far off.

I think Ms. Brooks wishes she was elected Mayor on the night she was sworn in and she might even trying to be the next Mayor, even though Mayor Pro Tem Brian Campbell should be.

In private and now on this blog I will use the term for Ms. Brooks that I have held back on.

"Mom". I have felt and continue to feel Ms. Brooks believes that since she served on a previous Council and that she believes she knows what is best for all of us, we should all listen to her as if she is our mother, including the four other members of the C.C. and all the Planning Commissioners.

What about this 'values' thing 'Mom' seems to be trying to get enacted in our city? I guess they are only her values, whether you agree with them or not.

And another thing, remember when so many ill informed residents wanted to compare our city to the city of Bell, especially when the Charter City thing was about? If Ms. Brooks and our City Manager are really working together so that C.C. and P.C. members have no right to set some of their own agenda items, how is that any different than when the C.C. of Bell gave all their rights away to their city's manager?

It is amazing to hear some on the other side of politics than I am now wondering if our city might become more like the old Bell, because of one or two people working in dark, back rooms to make changes not too many folks want.

Also, why are 'they' trying to reinvent the wheel?

Tonight and tomorrow night is yet two more meetings about visions and goals this C.C. wants to look at. Haven't they had enough time already to get their groove together.

I hope Mayor Misetich, Mayor Pro Tem Campbell and Coucilmembers Duhovic and Knight understand that important work needs to get done and taking all this time to deal with what Council member Brooks is trying to do is wrong for our residents, all of our residents, no matter what side of politics they are on.

I also hope that Council member Brooks sees 'the writing on the wall' and that she 'gets with the program' and joins the other C.C. members in working together to better our city and not try to demand her values system onto others.

The members of the C.C., all the Planning Commission members, members of the Finance Committee and folks volunteering on the other commissions and committees are ALL more qualified than is seen in most other cities in the South Bay and Southern California. They are all volunteers who provide benefits, oversight, and intelligent opinions and should be respected.

I don't really know how much Ms. Brooks really respects those who don't necessarily agree with everything she says or wants. Time will tell.

I'm still hoping that more residents write to the authorities dealing with The Clearwater Program and let them know that it is best to extend the comment period or better yet, hold it off until we all know what is going to happen with the repair of Paseo Del Mar.