Should Commissioners be Seen But Not Heard?

San Juan Capistrano City Councilman Sam Allevato raised an interesting point a couple of Council meetings ago when he called out Housing Advisory Commissioner Gila Jones for, among other things, a column she wrote in The Capistrano Dispatch critical of the proposed senior housing development on the Rancho Capistrano property.

Allevato criticized Jones for emailing him directly to see whether he'd be attending a League of Cities meeting -- not her job, he says -- for organizing a forum on mobile-home park issues -- he didn't find out about it soon enough and he never signed off on it, he says -- and for The Dispatch column.

Allevato says he supports a commissioner putting something in the paper, but adds "they do that at their own peril." Commissioners are "supposed to be supportive of this council," he says. "if she doesn't want to be a member of our team, she can start her own team."

He suggested Mayor Mark Nielsen take Jones out behind the woodshed for a talk. Councilman Tom Hribar, also upset with her, suggested the council censure her.

Mayor Pro Tem Lon Uso quickly jumped to her defense, saying the dialogue was good for the community. He also noted that two former Commissioners, Kathy Hooper and Joe Drey, appeared in campaign mailers to publicly supported a plan to put condos on the golf course open space and they were never criticized or questioned by council.

Here's the recording:

Comments

[had enough of the good ol' boys in sjc]

So volunteers who serve on city commissions can't express their opinion unless they agree with these councilmen? What is this, communist China? Or do councilmen Allevato and Hribar think they own San Juan?

On the tape, Allevato speaks out of both sides of his mouth. Out of one side he claims that he supports Jones' right to express her opinion, out of the other side he threatens her by saying that she does so at her own peril. Then there's his whining about Jones contacting him directly about some meeting. It just sounds petty.

Allevato says that Jones should start her own team if she doesn't want to be on his team. What team would that be, the good ol' boys club? I thought we voted that 'team' out of office.

Allevato states that commissioners serve at the pleasure of the council. Allevato seems to have forgotten that HE serves at the pleasure of the voters.

Hopefully the voters will remember this at election time.

[Steve Behmerwohld]

I am President of the residents association at Capistrano Valley Mobile Estates. Since Gila has been a Housing Advisory Commissioner, she has worked tirelessly on behalf of our residents and has helped us fight to keep rent control.

Just because she is a commissioner doesn't mean that she gave up her rights as a citizen. To my knowledge, most all of our 300+ voting residents are very happy with the job Gila has done as Commissioner.

[Eva Grecius]

Outrageous. Do these commissioners think they are the Board of Directors of Everything? The tone of scolding superiority is not acceptable for a public body, especially against someone who works so hard on behalf of citizens. Whether public or private, this visit to the woodshed was so far over the line it fell off a cliff.

Ms. Jones has a wide reputation as someone who gets things done, and always with a heart of gold. She's going to buck the establishment, which brings out the threatened bully in these commissioners. They obviously can't stand it when someone throws a monkey wrench into their preplanned agenda.

[Clint Worthington]

I am shocked that in this day and age that there are City Council members (Allevato and Hribar) who have forgotten about the Freedom of Speech. It is in the Constitution of the United States. Maybe Council Members Hribar and Allevato need to go back and read what the Constitution guarantees.

Gila Jones simply wrote a column stating the facts. It is apparant that these two City Council Members do not like to be criticized when the facts are shown to them. Council Member Uso was right in defending Gila Jones. Cudos to Dr. Uso. Council Member Freese also did the right thing and taking the high road and not joining in on the conversation.

It is most interesting to note when City attorney Sandoval seeing the outright outlandish action of Council Member Hribar and Allevato joined in to try and tell Council Member Allevato and Hribar in so many words that this is not the time nor the place for this discussion.

Using Council Members Hribar and Allevato's thinking, that no one can criticize the City Council and everyone must agree with them. Apparently they have forgotten that they too have written columns in the Dispatch explaining their point of view.

Gila Jones has always handled herself in the most respectful manner to everyone around her. How dare these two gentleman try and silence someone who criticizes them by trying to tarnish her reputation. That kind of action by these two Council Members is something that High School kids do to boost their self esteem.

Gila volunteers a great deal of her time to help and improve our City. In listening to Gila speak, she is extremely well versed on the housing issues in San Juan and for that matter, California. She is a credit to the Housing Advisory Committee. We are lucky to have her on there.

Gila did not publicly criticize Council Member Allevato for not attending a meeting. Gila has much more class than to do that.

Yes, Council Member Hribar and Allevato absolutely also have the right to Freedom of Speach. To talk publicly behind someones back when they are not there. No class by these Council Members. I am embarrased for them.

I also criticize. I criticize the Sheriffs Department to the City Council on a consistent basis. Keep in mind, that Lt. Dwyer is in the room. Lt. Dwyer is not criticized behind his back.

Gila, you have all of our support.

No, it is not a mistake. I am not afraid put my name on the bottom of this blog.

[New Council]

What is it with these Neanderthals? The infantile male council members in Tustin did the same thing to the lone woman on their council, Debra Gavello, a few months ago.

http://www.ocprogressive.com/diary/936/naked-abuse-of-power-in-tustin-a-savage-attack-on-deborah-gavello

Which ones are up for re-election next year? I'm tired of bullies on city councils.

[Dave Solt]

Council Member Allevato is wrong when he says he was not informed about an informational meeting being sponsered by a commissioner. I informed him, and all council members, at the city council meeting of August 5, during the public comments section.