Hernandez apologizes for getting angry at WC police
This just in from reporter Dan Abendschein:
Months after Councilman Roger Hernandez filed a complaint against the West Covina police officers who came to confront him at his house about an alleged domestic dispute, he apologized for getting angry at the officers.
Said Hernandez at Tuesday's night meeting: "I owe the officers an apology, because I was angry."
He didn't stop there though... he continued to insinuate the whole incident was tied to the November election, saying he was the target of a "political and dirty situation" involving a political group with ties to Mike Touhey.
As several people noted in phone calls/emails today, this was the first time Hernandez apologized for the incident, which took place in October. At the time, Hernandez suggested the noise could have come from a neighbor's condo. Read full story here.
The whole thing came up in a flare-up about the gun ordinance that Hernandez claims targets retired police officers, who will no longer be allowed to carry weapons to city hall. The ordinance also directs that all other citizens must also leave their guns at home, and appears to be a pre-cursor to the arrival of metal detectors in city hall.
Councilman Touhey brought up the incident at Hernandez's home, calling him hypocritical for being concerned about officers in the gun ordinance, but not caring about the officers he filed a complaint about in November.
Hernandez also accused his fellow council members who voted for the ordinance (not Touhey, who voted against) of having a political motivation, since one of the retired officers, Fred Sykes, ran for council as an ally of Hernandez.
Councilwoman Sanderson then interrupted Hernandez, demanding that he not "ascribe any motives" to her for how she voted.
Watch the video here It is about ¾ of the way through, during a discussion on item D5-E.
To paraphrase Rodney King: "Can't this council just get along?"
Geez, Louise. If Hernandez farts it's news. If Mike Touhey's clients and Steve Herfert create a phony taxpayers association whose sole purpose is to create hit pieces, OR if Mike Touhey wants to amend a city ordinance that will no doubt be financially beneficial for his clients, it shoved under the rug. Nice prioritizing, SGV Trib.
What is Roger Hernandez trying to pull? This happened last November of 2007 and he is just now apologying. Seems like the guy has a short fuse. Remember Roger, "If you can"t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." It is the nature of the beast when it comes to politics. You should know that by now. Shouldn't you? Are the council meetings held in West Covina's city hall filled with people who bring guns to the citys council meetings? Sounds like a real shoot em up kind of city. Are the politics that heated? Why would anyone in their right mind want to attend such a meeting knowing that the possibility of a person or persons carrying a loaded gun may be sitting in the room. That's what this ordinance sounds like. Be careful what you pass in your city. You may give off the wrong impression of what is happening in your city and especially to you five elected councilmembers. Remember the people voted you in. Move on with the citys business. Not your own personal agendas. It only hurts your purpose for being there, while putting mistrust in the peoples minds who got you there in the first place. So grow up.
As far as I know, the council chambers isn't filled with people who carry guns. Just one in particular and he's a retired peace officer. The reason this ordinance came to pass is because the majority simply does not like him. The end.
It is unfortunate that a city council takes it upon themselves to decide who should carry a gun and who shouldn't. Everyone knows that a law enforcement officer MUST carry a gun retited or not. It is simply for their own protection. You never know who is out there with a grude. Common sense should guide you to make a wise decision. Should't it?