As a pair of two-term City Council members prepare to take their final bow this month, they may leave the stage on a note of discord.
At next Tuesday's council meeting, 9th District Councilman Val Lerch will be honored, even though he has one more meeting left July 13. That final meeting is the traditional day to honor outgoing council members, and that's the day that Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga will be honored for her eight years of service.
Lerch explained that because the mayor will be absent July 13, and Lerch as vice mayor would have to preside over that meeting, he chose to have his last moment in the sun a week earlier. The 9th District councilman said that he had asked Uranga to join him next week, but that she declined.
"To me it just sums up the dysfunctional atmosphere on that council," Lerch said Wednesday. "Obstinate to the end."
The council has had some heated moments and a frequent political division between a minority that includes Uranga and the rest of the members. Uranga had a different explanation about her decision -- why change tradition?
"It wasn't really coordinated. He didn't ask me," Uranga said. "I just feel that it is anticlimactic to have a farewell on the 6th (Tuesday) and then come back on the 13th."
The mayor's spokeswoman, Stacey Toda, said Foster had planned months ago to take some personal time during the week of July 13. Toda said his absence had nothing to do with Uranga, or the fact that for the last four years, the opinionated councilwoman has been an occasional thorn in Foster's side. The mayor had also endorsed Uranga's opponent and now successor, James Johnson, as had Lerch.
Uranga said she didn't really mind Foster's absence at her last meeting.
"I'm not sure he wanted me there the next four years anyway," Uranga said.
At next Tuesday's council meeting, 9th District Councilman Val Lerch will be honored, even though he has one more meeting left July 13. That final meeting is the traditional day to honor outgoing council members, and that's the day that Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga will be honored for her eight years of service.
Lerch explained that because the mayor will be absent July 13, and Lerch as vice mayor would have to preside over that meeting, he chose to have his last moment in the sun a week earlier. The 9th District councilman said that he had asked Uranga to join him next week, but that she declined.
"To me it just sums up the dysfunctional atmosphere on that council," Lerch said Wednesday. "Obstinate to the end."
The council has had some heated moments and a frequent political division between a minority that includes Uranga and the rest of the members. Uranga had a different explanation about her decision -- why change tradition?
"It wasn't really coordinated. He didn't ask me," Uranga said. "I just feel that it is anticlimactic to have a farewell on the 6th (Tuesday) and then come back on the 13th."
The mayor's spokeswoman, Stacey Toda, said Foster had planned months ago to take some personal time during the week of July 13. Toda said his absence had nothing to do with Uranga, or the fact that for the last four years, the opinionated councilwoman has been an occasional thorn in Foster's side. The mayor had also endorsed Uranga's opponent and now successor, James Johnson, as had Lerch.
Uranga said she didn't really mind Foster's absence at her last meeting.
"I'm not sure he wanted me there the next four years anyway," Uranga said.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
Hurray! The wicked witch of the West was defeated! LB will live on and common sense will prevail all over the political land. Hurray!
what the hell does val know about the word he uses... uranga is not the story here. the mayor decides to take a vacation without regard to council business - yes, those pesky recognition meetings full under the leadership role. val defends his decision to accomodate foster by blaming somebody else and falling on his vice moyor sword?? that's pretty much defines the word... stubbornly adhering to one's own purpose. at least he got the dysfunctional part right!