Commission Impossible

Well, again, this group isn't listed anywhere on the city website (is it?). It's not on the meetings/events schedule nor on the list of boards and commissions (although they still list the long de-funct charter committee).

This group is illegal unless the city posts the meetings, agendas and minutes on the website. Of course, Debbie P has told me they don't have to post stuff on the website, but if they post other stuff, they have to post this too.

By the way, it was not my intention to torpedo the RDA committee, I said I wanted it legitimized and they refused. They said they didn't have the staff. That's a bunch of hooie - weeks previously, Linda Cameron told me they'd hired new staff and said they were being trained.

I'm sick of the city violating the law and then holding me off by the forehead because they know I won't get a lawyer to sue them. I don't need a lawyer to report stuff to the FPPC and the Attorney General. When I contacted them regarding the RDA committee, they told me it was illegal, sent me a package of rules, and told me to get back to them if the city didn't comply. The city "complied" by getting rid of the committee. They knew the law - you saw how quick they did that, they knew they were illegal and they could get fined. I think that includes personal fines for the people involved.

Geez, look what they did to Larry - 12 thousand bucks!

I tell you, I got other fish to fry - I don't need this. But I feel stupid sitting here while people like Mo Kirk run my town right into the toilet. Of course, you'll note she's named Tovey to key county committees - to the victor go the spoils, Baby!

Actually Lon, if I casted you in "Grail," you'd be King Arthur. And Gregg would be Bedevere. I'm the black knight, and none shall pass.

Juanita,

I would still prefer to be the leader of the Knight Who Say Nit. Now bring me a shrubbery!

FYI: CARD is a seperate entity than the City and represents an area that extends beyond Chico's borders. They would not be required to post public meetings at the City. They would post them somewhere at their facility or web site.

Additionally, I think the public meetings that require public posting are those where a quorum of decision makers are present. Looking at how business is done around local government I've seen a lot of "advisory groups" that meet without obvious public notice. Maybe that's wrong. But it is common enough that I don't think it violates the Brown Act or other legal requirements.

Lastly, for full disclosure, I am also on CARD's Citizen Advisory Committee for its General Plan update. I just don't consider myself notable.

Lon

Okay, I checked the CARD website - nothing.

You better call the Attorney General's office.

A few years back, my cousin Bev, a farmer's wife who spent most of her time shuttling her kids to and from school, had the audacity to sit on the Glenn Co. water board. Attorney General Bill Lockyer found out she was a farmer's wife, something she never made any move to hide (her farmer husband was director of the irrigation district for years). Lockyer said there was a conflict of interest and threatened Bev with prosecution. You can still read the nasty stuff he said about her online. I wanted to kick his big fat ass.

So, I realize you think this committee stuff is all Howdy Doody, citizens getting involved, rah, rah, rah. But there's laws to keep this kind of thing on the level. Technically, Tovey G. is a "citizen," but with his connections, there's plenty of room for inpropriety. rules are for everybody.

A few years ago, my neighbor Leanne was having problems with a school being run out of a church next door to her, down the street from my house. We all had problems with the traffic, but she lived right next door. Two or three times a day she'd look out her kitchen window to find the school kids all over her yard, playing with her kids' toys. They left snack trash all over her lawn. The school teachers wouldn't do anything about it. When she contacted the city about it, Bob Summerville told her she hadn't been contacted because the city had never issued a permit, meaning no public hearings or neighbor notifications. He said, in so many words, they'd decided to "run it under the radar" and see if anybody complained. As soon as Leanne made a stink about it, the school disappeared, because they knew they'd been busted and there might have been financial consequences.

See, that's how your city does business Lon, and CARD is part of the city - or at least they pretend to be at election time. They are a government entity, and they can abide by the rules. Sure, I'll check their website too.

Knights, by definition, keep the rules. You are not a proper guardian if you don't respect the rules, therefore you are not qualified to be a Knight of anything. Now King Arthur, who went around telling people he was ordained by God (or some watery tart, whichever), he thought he was above the rules. He honestly believed that he was better than most people and more qualified to run THEIR lives - is that you?

Juanita,

I think you're off on a conspiracy tangent here.

If asked to take part in local area policy discussions I generally say yes. That includes citizen committee's. I have an interest in these topics. If somebody didn't dot an "i" or cross a "t" that's not my problem.

You did help torpedo the RDA committee, but don't give yourself too much credit. The policy makers didn't like people discussing their purse. That was pretty evident throughout the entire discussion we had. There was never any majority support for a detailed review of RDA spending.

As far as Tovey goes, I've met him once, and it was just an introduction. Kirk appointed him to a county commission and the E-R mentioned that he's giving a presentation to the Republican women on the Chico Creek Nature Center expansion project.

Although I had problems with his Greenline Coalition, I'm happy he's taking part in local discussions in a constructive way. More people should do that.

Lon

Lon, you know where your rear-end is when your head is in the sand, don't you?

Go for it, HRH. Don't whine to me when you get your just reward.