A Rex-less meeting
I wonder if there was anybody who watched last night's City Council meeting for the first time. That newbie would have wondered, "Why is there an empty seat?"
There was no mention that it was the first meeting since a jury reached a guilty verdict on Councilman Rex Gutierrez's criminal trial. His name plates were gone. The dais seemed more subdued without his pink/purple/blue ties. By 8 p.m., the meeting was over, as if his absence shortened the meeting by two hours.
The only mention of Gutierrez, who formally stepped down last Wednesday, came from John Lyons, who said his thoughts and prayers go to Gutierrez and his family. You may remember Lyons as the gadfly who once led a recall effort against Gutierrez and Councilwoman Diane Williams.
Hardly anybody has been publicly critical of Gutierrez. (Anonymous comments on this blog don't count.) People who once made a habit of slamming him -- Lyons and Bill Alexander, for example -- are now more than kind. Their attitude seems to be: Why kick a man while he's down?
There was no mention that it was the first meeting since a jury reached a guilty verdict on Councilman Rex Gutierrez's criminal trial. His name plates were gone. The dais seemed more subdued without his pink/purple/blue ties. By 8 p.m., the meeting was over, as if his absence shortened the meeting by two hours.
The only mention of Gutierrez, who formally stepped down last Wednesday, came from John Lyons, who said his thoughts and prayers go to Gutierrez and his family. You may remember Lyons as the gadfly who once led a recall effort against Gutierrez and Councilwoman Diane Williams.
Hardly anybody has been publicly critical of Gutierrez. (Anonymous comments on this blog don't count.) People who once made a habit of slamming him -- Lyons and Bill Alexander, for example -- are now more than kind. Their attitude seems to be: Why kick a man while he's down?
Wendy, why don't anonymous comments on this blog count, even regarding Gutierrez? Sometimes it is the only way a person feels comfortable voicing their concerns or opinions. Unfortunately, some are cruel or insensitive...they are always in the bunch.
I would think those who did not like Rex, can be kind now, right? He is gone, it's easy...
Justice took its course, but still a sad story for all.
Anonymous comments can add value to this blog but they don't count as being someone who has publicly criticized Gutierrez. I was making the point that although many people are critical of him in this space, they haven't spoken out publicly.
Personally and professionally, he was as kind as they come and genuinely concerned about citizens issues. I hope he and his family will be strong and somehow get through this, what a tragedy because he is a wonderful man.
Too bad the Queen isn't as caring and genuine as he was and is. Too bad the reigning king isn't a caring man, it still puzzles me why on earth did they get reelected?
There must be good, honest reasons why people voted them back in... :)
P.S. Selfish motivations and money often tempt wonderful men
I did watch and it was very nice not to se Gutierrez there, smirking and acting. I'm a compassionate person but only to those who deserve it. Rex would still have you believe that he did no wrong and the whole ordeal was a witchhunt, nobody but Gutierrez could believe that. Now rid of him us citizens must keep our eyes wide open to this new council, fire unions and developers are not what I want to see on it, but we'll see.
Wendy,
We are watching the Council Meeting and heard from Marc for council. Did he just admit to a brown act violation in lobbing the council to appoint him in front of God and Everyone?
Hello marcforanything. Argh! The one time I did not bring my laptop to the meeting, you had a live question. Well, I think you're referring to Marc Steinorth's statement of meeting with the council members. It's not a Brown Act violation if he met with them individually. I meet with them individually, too.