This just came over the transom from the Harkey Recall campaign:
The Dana Point City Council attempted to avoid a Brown Act lawsuit last night by taking formal action to nullify a "resolution" signed by a majority of the Council during a recess of the September 4, 2007 Council meeting, that opposes the Harkey recall effort. The action by the Council last night stated that "if" Councilmembers Lisa Bartlett, Steven Weinberg, Joel Bishop, and Harkey herself, violated the Brown Act by signing a "resolution" opposing the recall, that the "resolution" nevertheless as an action of the City Council is declared null and void.
Earlier, Brown Act expert Terry Francke, General Counsel of the Sacramento-based Californians Aware, had stated his view that the collective signing of the resolution by the Harkey supporters on the Council was "likely" a Brown Act violation and at a minimum should be a source of "severe criticism" of the Dana Point City Council majority. Republican Councilmember Lara Anderson did not sign the resolution complained of.
Recall Proponent Robert Traphagen said, "I'm glad the Council retracted their ill-considered attempt to support Harkey through this deceptive 'back door' resolution. But until Harkey is recalled, I fear we'll just get more of the same shenanigans in Dana Point."
Hey, wait a minute. I though those guys were just chillin' and decided to sign a resolution - just like a birthday card, etc.
Seems like the recall gang isn't the only one in DP that can't shoot straight.
Posted by: redperegrine | September 19, 2007 at 12:52 PM
I haven't changed my opinion on whether the resolution was a Brown Act violation, but it ain't up to me.
Posted by: Jubal | September 19, 2007 at 01:02 PM
Once again, Harkey's ill-advised campaign shenanigans are costing the taxpayers of Dana Point. First, she tries to force one of the mobile home park owners to sign a document that would help CPH, then there is this idiotic "Resolution". Both were done to benefit Harkey, regardless of the cost to the taxpayers. The City Attorney would not have addressed this issue unless it was necessary. How much time and money has the City wasted on staff and attorneys to cleanup after Hurricane Diane?
Is this the kind of intelligent leadership the people of OC need?
Posted by: DP Resident | September 19, 2007 at 03:12 PM
These "shenanigans" are not costing as much money as this silly recall. Especially when you consider the big ticket item of the special election which most likely will be held in July or August, contrary to the recall proponents claim to be held during the CA primary, which is mathamatically impossible. And when you consider Harkey has a strong chance of moving on to AD73. So who is really concerned about the City of Dana Point wasting money? Not the recall proponents. But then that is just me.
Posted by: Just Me | September 24, 2007 at 09:39 PM