City Council consensus -- it might take time
Sometimes, or all the time, Councilman Rex Gutierrez says things he doesn't mean or says things he shouldn't say. You can't help but shake your head, laugh or look at the floor. Perhaps all of the above.
Yesterday, at a team-building session, Gutierrez tried to explain to the council why he needed his supporters at a recent meeting. He said he was expecting to be sued and was a little "paranoid."
"Don, you might have had this happen before, you've been to jail, but some of you haven't," Gutierrez said.
At which time, City Attorney Jim Markman said, "Everyone who's been to jail, raise your hand."
Everyone (the council, city manager, assistant city managers, etc.) laughed and it was all good fun, albeit an uncomfortable fun.
A little background: Mayor Don Kurth was arrested for drug-related reasons when he was a teenager. Gutierrez was arrested May 27 for timecard-related reasons.
But Kurth isn't the one Gutierrez should belittle, especially since the mayor started the special meeting sounding like a Rex fan. He claimed that council members' comments about Gutierrez to the newspaper inflamed the situation. Kurth even repeated a statement that has been on the lips of many Gutierrez backers: Innocent until proven guilty.
But Sam Spagnolo and Diane Williams weren't going to apologize. Both thought they had the right to speak about how Gutierrez's troubles affect the city.
"It's affecting me, it's affecting the council," Williams said. "Rancho Cucamonga has always been a straight forward, honorable city. We're the laughing stock of the valley right now."
After three hours of "team-building," I wouldn't say the City Council was a better or worse off team. But there was some laughter, potshots and everyone got something off their chest. It's a start.
Yesterday, at a team-building session, Gutierrez tried to explain to the council why he needed his supporters at a recent meeting. He said he was expecting to be sued and was a little "paranoid."
"Don, you might have had this happen before, you've been to jail, but some of you haven't," Gutierrez said.
At which time, City Attorney Jim Markman said, "Everyone who's been to jail, raise your hand."
Everyone (the council, city manager, assistant city managers, etc.) laughed and it was all good fun, albeit an uncomfortable fun.
A little background: Mayor Don Kurth was arrested for drug-related reasons when he was a teenager. Gutierrez was arrested May 27 for timecard-related reasons.
But Kurth isn't the one Gutierrez should belittle, especially since the mayor started the special meeting sounding like a Rex fan. He claimed that council members' comments about Gutierrez to the newspaper inflamed the situation. Kurth even repeated a statement that has been on the lips of many Gutierrez backers: Innocent until proven guilty.
But Sam Spagnolo and Diane Williams weren't going to apologize. Both thought they had the right to speak about how Gutierrez's troubles affect the city.
"It's affecting me, it's affecting the council," Williams said. "Rancho Cucamonga has always been a straight forward, honorable city. We're the laughing stock of the valley right now."
After three hours of "team-building," I wouldn't say the City Council was a better or worse off team. But there was some laughter, potshots and everyone got something off their chest. It's a start.
Ms. Williams states the obvious about being the laughing stock of valley. Unfortunately the situation with Rex is only the most recent act of the on-going Rancho Circus. It's one act after another the past few years with this council. Apparently someone left the cage open and the monkies are still loose. I hope the team training helps get their act back on track. If nothing else maybe it will help them aire their stress and frustrations with other. Where's Billy Barty when you need him? Someone needs to take charge of this group.
No complaint here, I always love when the circus is in town.