New Council Majority Attacked Atrociously

Have you ever heard such appalling and shocking words as those that were used to attack Morro Bay City Council members during meetings over the last two weeks? Not just the worst attacks over the past 20, 30 or 40 years but . . . ever?!!!

If you haven't heard them, well, you have some shockers coming to your ears and mind.

These atrocious and disgraceful words were hurled at the new three-member majority of the Council at two City Council meetings on June 12 and 24, meetings that were to review the possible "discipline, dismissal or release" of Morro Bay city manager Andrea Lueker and city attorney Rob Schultz.

The disgusting words came from our neighbors, who sounded like unprincipled and bitter-tongued voters, some of whom made no bones about regretting the election of that three-member majority of Mayor Jamie Irons and Council members Christine Johnson and Noah Smukler at the primary election on June 5, 2012. And one of those speakers/attackers revealed at the meetings that an effort to recall Irons is being planned.

The meeting notice referenced possible discipline of Lueker and Schultz or dismissal/release, but not a single person among the scores who spoke mentioned discipline. Every one made the unfounded assumption that dismissal/release was the issue.

They may not be as frightful as Tea Party members — like unprincipled and bitter-tongued voters who can't seem to engage in civil discourse with their own elected representatives and neighbors — but they certainly came close

If you didn't hear all this dreadful outpouring, well, "listen" below to the guttersnipes' public comments on September 12.

Phil Kispersky — "This would appear to be motivated by either personal or political reasons. What has happened to the promise of transparency."
Stan House — "I've seen city councils come and go and this has to be the lowest you can get."
Rick Grantham — "This is an ugly day for Morro Bay."
Heather Salyer-Frith — "This is a scare tactic."

John Barta — "Mr. Mayor, you have done an amazing job of unifying our community  — against you. Don't do this (dismiss Lueker and Schultz) and turn the community upside down."
Neil Trout — "I disrespect this device you are trying to shove down our throats."
Vicki Landis — "You are destabilizing our city."
Kathleen Welles — "A majority of voters gave you the benefit of the doubt when you were elected. So now you have taken off the mask for everyone to see. It's crystal clear you're not about consensus-building. You're all about the raw power of three - two votes. Your warm and fuzzy smiles and handshakes won't get you anywhere in the future. Save our town and save yourself, too. Don't do this. If you're not going to have a democracy here in Morro Bay, then I would like to pick my own dictator. Something here really stinks. You're up to no good."
Peter Candela — "Another agenda is going on."

Mike Pond — "This is totally about two people with the utmost integrity."
Bonnie Morrison — "You are low-handed."
Garry Johnson — "I don't blame you three Council members. I blame the people who voted for you. I am ashamed of you three. You should hang your heads in shame. You really should. You have a hidden agenda, and I know more stuff in the background that's going to come out. We're going to get you out of office, all three of you."
John Solu — "I am really disappointed in you, Christine Johnson, for going with these two amigos."
Jeff Eckles — "This is a terrible step in the opposite direction, away from the process of transparency. It's dangerous and reckless."

Trudy O’Brien — "This is insane."
Todd Gailey — "This reeks of backdoor politics."
Janice Peters — "This action (releasing Lueker and Schultz) breaks my heart."
Mike Durick — "See how you are making this city look? "Like a lemon-aid stand."
John Gajdos — "If you go foward, I have a notice of intent to circulate a recall petition." (Presumably against Irons)

Ken Versterfelt — "There was a rumor going around during the (June 5, 2012) campaign that you (Irons, Christine Johns, Smukler) had promised you would get rid of these two (Lueker, Schultz). I don't know where you guys are coming from."
Jack Barrett — "This would be an outrageous act, shameful (firing Lueker and Schultz). I signed a recall petition."
Bill Yates — "I protest what you are undertaking. I don't know what hook you are going to hang your hat on. It's a dumb idea. Folly."
Greg Wilson — "I voted for Jamie, Christine and Noah. I want to take back those votes."
Chris Frith — "What you are doing is wrong." (He banged the podium loudly as he left.)

Bill Black — "The three members who are voting for this (referring to the removal of Lueker and Schultz) were elected in (to office). I'm sure they will be elected out very shortly. Christine you have said you had lived in seven or eight places. I think you can start looking for another now."
Mick Theis — "You are 'rulies.' Horseshit."

There was much more of the same at the September 24 meeting.

A smaller number voiced support for Irons, Johnson, and Smukler on September 12. They were:

Nancy Bast — " Bad legal advice by the city attorney and leadership by the city manager have wasted millions of dollars while deterioration of infrastructure has been ignored. The Twin Bridges rebuild was needlessly taken over by the city from the county at cost of over $6 million. And it still floods. It is courageous of the Council to take this action (against Lueker and Schultz). Millions have been wasted on Illegal wastewater treatment plant project by hiring cronies, consultants and lobbyists. The city manager and city attorney are paid over $150,000 each, more than the govenors of 40 states, while average income in Morro Bay is $25,000. Unneeded properties were bought and then sold at a loss but enriched friends."
Barbara Doerr — "I support Irons, Christine, and Noah. If you are unhappy with the meeting, look to the city attorney."
Betty Winholtz — "The people in question decided to make a big deal. " (She was referring to Lueker and Schultz.)
Nicole Dorfman — "I support Mayor Irons and the other council members (in the majority). You are really being slanderous here. I am so dismayed by the vitriol and character assassination that is going on here. A big part of the town is not happy because their playground has been taken away (control of city politics). I am sure there is good reason (for the pending actions against Lueker and Schultz)."