Grand Jury Report

It is usually called an October surprise. That’s when one candidate or another comes up with something out of left field to use against his/her opponent just prior to an election.

In Marina we have something very different in that the Superior Court of California, Monterey County 2012 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury issued an interim report on Friday. I do not think anyone can underscore enough the fact that they released this report when they did. The Grand Jury report is normally issued in January but because its findings are directly related to the governance of our City they must have felt it very important to release this report prior to the election.

The report outlines the improper interference in negotiations of business development opportunities by at least one Council member, at least two cases of Brown Act violations in relation to the Equestrian Center Ad Hoc Committee, the improper use of an Ad Hoc Committee, not using staff properly (even avoiding their input), putting at risk the government grant of land and facilities, asking that the Council use professional staff for their expertise, and pleading for the City Attorney to take a more pre-emptive role in helping the City conduct its meetings.

These findings should never be taken lightly as some, including the Mayor, already has. In fact, the Grand Jury Report states that “The Marina City Council should develop and enact an ethical code of conduct for all City of Marina officials”. I have to ask: what does that say for the way our current Council majority has been conducting business?

The reason I state the current Council Majority is that both Council members Ford and Amadeo have repeatedly tried to bring up potential violations of policy and conduct over the past two years. The specific cases that are identified in this report trace back to interference by the Mayor and the conduct of Councilman O’Connell and candidate Morton on the Equestrian Center Ad Hoc Committee. We will get more information and background when the final report is released.

This is a very important issue that needs to be properly aired prior to the election itself. Unfortunately there are no City Council meetings between now and the election and very few outlets to disseminate this information to the general public. The Monterey Herald gave it a couple of paragraphs so far but both KSBW and KION TV are currently or will be running the story soon.

It should go without saying that whenever the Superior Court Grand Jury issues a report on Marina, it should be of utmost importance to our elected officials and the residents of Marina. In this case, especially since the election is just days away.

More later.

http://www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/GrandJury/Reports.aspx

(Reference 2012 Civil Grand Jury, Interim Final Report #2)

 

Being Mayor

Since this is the last Marina Matters column in the Gazette before the November election, I think it is important to take a few moments and talk about the role of a Mayor.

A lot has been said during the campaign by the Mayor about how involved he is with everything in the community, how friendly the Council meetings are and what a great job he has done. It has been my role to point out the differences in the reality of his perception and the vision for our community going forward. That is the role of the challenger.

I am proud of the way we have handled this election. We have kept the process ‘above board’ and challenged facts while not degrading the campaign into personal attacks. When all is said and done and the results are in on election night, we will hold our head high regardless of the results. That’s the way it should be.

All of that said, I do think it is imperative to really talk about what has become a key difference in the way the Mayor and I see the role of the Mayor. He talks about helping to pay peoples’ rents that are in crisis and helping to move kids out of town due to the fear of gang violence. He talks about handing out fliers and posting temporary signs all around town to stimulate local business. While these are worthy and important, there are groups and organizations that can better fill those roles, rather than the Mayor.

The Mayor’s role is to help create the jobs and opportunities for individuals and families so no one has to help them pay their rent. It’s the Mayor’s role to work with our schools and recreation department to keep kids occupied and away from gangs where possible, and law enforcement when needed to keep the gangs out of the City. It’s the Mayor’s role to find ways to market our City locally and regionally to encourage people to shop, dine, and experience our City and stimulate business for the benefit of everyone.

Sure, there are events to attend and meetings to conduct but the Mayor has to be more than a friendly person. The Mayor has to have the vision and ability to unite and inspire the Council, the staff and our citizens. The Mayor needs to lead the City, to set goals and to accomplish them. The Mayor needs to pull a fractured City together so that everyone benefits. That’s what being Mayor means to me. That’s the role that I commit to as Marina’s next Mayor.

More later