Another aspect of this myth of a good team player is the completely fabricated outrage to justify unacceptable behavior in ambushing and attacking Councilwoman Barth last fall. Siince that abusive period Barth has refused any and all appointments to a subcommittee until rules are clarified. This was to be that meeting and instead it was a bunch of bullies ganging up on her, ganging up on the public with the blessing of the city attorney and city manager. Go team evil.
And this myth begets more myths, like the mythical allegiance a good team member must provide to her attackers. Throughout the 30 minutes of this agenda item #8 discussion the crony club that is our city council majority ignores public speakers, revises history, makes things up, redefines language, creates false choices, welcomes straw men and a whole fustercluck of cruel, condescending and dismissive silencing of Teresa Barth and the thousands and thousands she represents. It's legal, but team evil is the only game in town right now. Some clips to judge for yourself follow.
Imagine for one moment you are a lone voice attempting to be heard as an equal team player even though you have a different opinion or perspective and moreover, you have alternatives for the team to consider. Most importantly, Barth points out that it is a mistake to consider the city council as the team when the focus should be on the public with the council being part of that team.
If you can sit through all of the next two clips, you might try to listen to how language is used, how sources are lacking and other critical elements citizens should expect from a deliberative governing body are completely missing.
It is really difficult to witness or listen to authoritarian language of absolute control presented with childish clichés in a tone of condescension from a neophyte like Kristin Gaspar.
- All discussions involving city staff will happen within an ad hoc committee setting.
- The ad hoc committee will sign off on the staff report before it’s brought back to council.
- The ad hoc committee will only address topics discussed by the full council.
The pile on doesn't end with the vote of 4:1. Barth attempts to at least allow the guidelines to come back as an agenda item. Not a chance.
Following this meeting Teresa Barth stated,
"I have served on a number of subcommittees during my past 6 years on council, including a committee with Jerome Stocks concerning former city manager Phil Cotton's compensation. Mr. Stocks recommended a significant raise and I recommended no raise. I have never received a complaint from any other council member nor have I complained about their comments or suggestions in the sub-committee process. Deputy Mayor Gaspar seems to believe that disagreement and independent research are somehow inappropriate.Tomorrow there will be a second installment of this myth. It is born out of the misuse of the phrase, people's business as a council responsibility.
Councilman Bond also commented about the need to "get things" done and having the public included slows things down.
Open Meeting laws (the Brown Act) do not apply to temporary sub-committees as long as there is not a quorum of elected officials on the committee. However, in light of the recent actions and comments by other council members, I believe the public should have the right to attend such meetings if they so desire. I proposed simple procedures that would have allowed the public to attend subcommittee meetings. The Council majority didn't agree."
