Why?
Why do we do it? Why do we skip dinner, put on our thinking caps after a long day and go to a city council meeting? Why don't we just stay home? Why do we sit there and pore over staff reports, scribble out what we hope makes sense, turn a card in so we can speak, and then stay past midnight to put in our 2 cents about Fairview Park? Why?
Because, we care. We love this city. We care about Hank Lloyd and his great tennis program which for Costa Mesans is affordable and convenient. We care about the City Council budget and the reserve fund. We want the Council to put more than $500,000 towards the unfunded pension liability. We don't want to see our city, blessed with probably the biggest shopping center in the world, go bankrupt.
We love this city and are prepared to do whatever it takes to get it back into the hands of people who really care about people and are not just interested in reimaging out city from one end to the other and changing the rules so developers can make more money and then give some of it to the politicians who helped them.
We've never been in this place before. We stopped TWO dumb charters, stopped Big League Dreams, elected Sandy and Katrina, but our backs are still against the wall without a majority.
But last night's council meeting was a doosy! We actually beat back the sports fields because people got up and told the council we don't want no stinkin sports fields at Fairview or some crazy survey that is skewed to tell the Council Costa Mesans want sports fields. (No data has EVER been produced by the recreation department to prove we NEED more sports fields or lighted sports fields).
Earlier, we watched as Gary divulged confidential information about the CMPOA---totally breaking the Brown Act by stating the POA turned down an offer. Tom Duarte's answer was so wishy washy. Katrina did an awesome job of calling him out.
So if you are reading this and thinking you don't need to pay attention to what is going on at city hall, I have to tell you that you are wrong. We need more people who love this city and are willing to sacrifice a few comforts to continue to confront the City Council on issues that impact the future of our City.
In a few minutes I'm off to College Park School to a forum on sober living homes put on by College Park residents who are enraged that a neighbor's home was broken into by someone who lives in a nearby sober living home. The kids were asleep and the dad got up and chased him out! He was arrested later, thank God. How has the sober living home market been allowed to saturate our city? Why don't we have enough police to patrol our neighborhoods?
It may be everything is just fine on your street, but with police staffing down below 100, and plan underway to close Fire Station 6 up by South Coast Plaza, it's only a matter of time before you realize you need to come down to City Hall and make your voices heard to the City Council too. It's not too late. Those of us who go don't want our city to be just a memory. We want to preserve it for the future so that others can enjoy the blessings and quality of life we have enjoyed.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Friday, December 5, 2014
Time to Return to the Blogosphere
With so much free time on my hands, I've come back to revive my blog. First, thank you very much to everyone for the many very kind words as I termed out on Tuesday. I'm very humbled and blessed by the comments, presentations, my own "Costa Mesa book", a tennis racket from Hank Lloyd and more. Like I said, it felt like I was at a "funeral/graduation" from city council after 8 years-- a send off I never imagined.
Did I work hard? Yes. (I won't say I worked my butt off because all those free meals made me gain weight). But I did my best to serve and speak for the residents, and now as an ex council person, I intend to keep serving where I see the need. Stay tuned for updates.
I was teaching at juvenile hall today and remarked to another teacher that we only have one gang officer or less in Costa Mesa. Our police department keeps shrinking. We've lost the depth we were so proud of a few years ago. In the last 20 years we made the City safer, especially Shalimar, because we had 4 to 6 gang officers who kept tabs on the homies and home girls. Just one result of an unfortunate decision by the mayor and mayor pro tem to sue our police association, which really means they are suing the police department. To me it seems like a type of class action suit which only harms the residents of Costa Mesa. It will have to play out in court but in the meantime our department struggles to serve residents with sworn staff of less than 100 officers. We have patrol officers who are stretched to the max and not enough detectives, investigators, traffic cops and special enforcement officers,
for things like prostitution and trafficking, to serve a city of our size.
Did I work hard? Yes. (I won't say I worked my butt off because all those free meals made me gain weight). But I did my best to serve and speak for the residents, and now as an ex council person, I intend to keep serving where I see the need. Stay tuned for updates.
I was teaching at juvenile hall today and remarked to another teacher that we only have one gang officer or less in Costa Mesa. Our police department keeps shrinking. We've lost the depth we were so proud of a few years ago. In the last 20 years we made the City safer, especially Shalimar, because we had 4 to 6 gang officers who kept tabs on the homies and home girls. Just one result of an unfortunate decision by the mayor and mayor pro tem to sue our police association, which really means they are suing the police department. To me it seems like a type of class action suit which only harms the residents of Costa Mesa. It will have to play out in court but in the meantime our department struggles to serve residents with sworn staff of less than 100 officers. We have patrol officers who are stretched to the max and not enough detectives, investigators, traffic cops and special enforcement officers,
for things like prostitution and trafficking, to serve a city of our size.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Just the facts, please
Costa Mesa council OKs $132.7 million budget (click here to read Register article for more details)
Cops or colored sidewalks?
I contend some projects can wait and are not "must haves."
I believe our service levels are going down, our response times are getting longer. People are telling me it's difficult to find a person to answer the phone at city hall.
However with this budget, we will have pretty sidewalks to brag about and welcome those to Costa Mesa looking for "curb appeal" and of course fast food restaurants--if they want to move here.
Are we focused on the "potential" newcomers or on those who live here NOW? Seems to me all this reform is for what folks can "see" but doesn't address the underlying quality of services we are all used to receiving, especially public safety services. Since we are doing all of this at break neck speed, it is impossible to analyze how all these massive changes will impact our quality of life in our great city. Only time will tell if these were good decisions. I've said before, we are moving recklessly to re-image our city.
Since I was cut off on Tuesday night by the Mayor from explaining why I oppose this budget, I wanted to share the details.
See http://costamesa.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1962 (I begin my explanation at 6:07.05 and I am shut down at 6:09:23 when the mayor "calls for the question" and says my comment is a "ramble.")
Instead of the items in yellow below--which definitely can wait, I suggested we instead fund 6 cops (@$160,000 per officer including benefits, which would total approximately $960.000.
Previously a consultant recommended that Costa Mesa, with its population and other factors, needed 137 police officers. We have 131 officers funded. (And, we have many retirements coming up. But that is another story...how we are working with our police and fire associations on new agreements so we can begin hiring and have those new hires pay more into their own medical and retirement funds and lower our unfunded liability).
Here are the details: (pages in Preliminary Budget noted for more info)
All these expenses will be from the "Capital Outlay Fund" otherwise known as "General Fund" unless otherwise noted:
$500,000 -Fairview Park-Placentia Ave. Connector Trail-in need of rehab to "correct drainage problems and to repair old asphalt concrete trail . . .replace with color concrete" (page 185). (City has applied for a grant, so possible city will only contributre $250,000.
$250,000-Westside Improvements-19th street from Harbor to westerly city limits: "decorative crosswalks, decorative sidewalks, parkway landscaping including planting trees, street furnishings such as benches, trash resceptablces, news racks, etc." (page 160).
$360,000 Harbor Blvd. Bike Trail Improvements--safety lighting for bike trail. Will utilize same low-level lighting to maintain uniformity, increase safety and beautify this very important corridor..energy efficient." (page 159)
$540,000 Harbor Blvd. Improvements--"installation of decorative crosswalks at intersections of Harbor Blvd. at Baker and Date Place. ..construction of a colored concrete intersection at Harbor and Baker." (page 163).
$300,000 for "legal costs related civil and criminal litigation" This is $400,000 more than in 09-10 budget. (pages 79, 81, 82).
From the "Summary of Proposed Capital Improvement Projects" spreadsheet
$300,000 for Sports Fields Master Plan (work with NMUSD to upgrade CMHS football field/track
$500,000 for set aside for "Problem Properties" (motels).
Total costs for above: $2,750.000
Plus $1 million for contingency fund--
Let's hire six more cops, not fire the four who were recently fired and put the rest towards the unfunded liability debt. That's being more fiscally responsible.
Other employee related decisions which may affect quality of services eventually: (see 6/19/12 Agenda Report PH-5 page 1) Savings for firing 3 office specialists and one information technology manager: $401,000.
(Also, we eliminated 4 custody officers for the jail, a mechanic, maintenance worker, a planner, and suspended the in-house street rehab program, all of which the city manager acknowledges "may result in delays in service delivery but the financial savings is needed to balance the budget and move the City into a better financial position." He added staff will continually evaluate...and make adjustments to ensure appropriate service is provided to the community." (page 3 June 12 Study session report, CEO recommended changes) Total savings of these cuts are approximately $1million however, some money will be set aside for overtime and hiring 3 more code enforcement officers so it's hard to deermine actual projected savings. Fixing potholes in a timely manner is now another issue.)
LEECE.WENDY@costamesaca.gov or wendyleece@gmail.com
Cops or colored sidewalks?
I contend some projects can wait and are not "must haves."
I believe our service levels are going down, our response times are getting longer. People are telling me it's difficult to find a person to answer the phone at city hall.
However with this budget, we will have pretty sidewalks to brag about and welcome those to Costa Mesa looking for "curb appeal" and of course fast food restaurants--if they want to move here.
Are we focused on the "potential" newcomers or on those who live here NOW? Seems to me all this reform is for what folks can "see" but doesn't address the underlying quality of services we are all used to receiving, especially public safety services. Since we are doing all of this at break neck speed, it is impossible to analyze how all these massive changes will impact our quality of life in our great city. Only time will tell if these were good decisions. I've said before, we are moving recklessly to re-image our city.
Since I was cut off on Tuesday night by the Mayor from explaining why I oppose this budget, I wanted to share the details.
See http://costamesa.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1962 (I begin my explanation at 6:07.05 and I am shut down at 6:09:23 when the mayor "calls for the question" and says my comment is a "ramble.")
Instead of the items in yellow below--which definitely can wait, I suggested we instead fund 6 cops (@$160,000 per officer including benefits, which would total approximately $960.000.
Previously a consultant recommended that Costa Mesa, with its population and other factors, needed 137 police officers. We have 131 officers funded. (And, we have many retirements coming up. But that is another story...how we are working with our police and fire associations on new agreements so we can begin hiring and have those new hires pay more into their own medical and retirement funds and lower our unfunded liability).
Here are the details: (pages in Preliminary Budget noted for more info)
All these expenses will be from the "Capital Outlay Fund" otherwise known as "General Fund" unless otherwise noted:
$500,000 -Fairview Park-Placentia Ave. Connector Trail-in need of rehab to "correct drainage problems and to repair old asphalt concrete trail . . .replace with color concrete" (page 185). (City has applied for a grant, so possible city will only contributre $250,000.
$250,000-Westside Improvements-19th street from Harbor to westerly city limits: "decorative crosswalks, decorative sidewalks, parkway landscaping including planting trees, street furnishings such as benches, trash resceptablces, news racks, etc." (page 160).
$360,000 Harbor Blvd. Bike Trail Improvements--safety lighting for bike trail. Will utilize same low-level lighting to maintain uniformity, increase safety and beautify this very important corridor..energy efficient." (page 159)
$540,000 Harbor Blvd. Improvements--"installation of decorative crosswalks at intersections of Harbor Blvd. at Baker and Date Place. ..construction of a colored concrete intersection at Harbor and Baker." (page 163).
$300,000 for "legal costs related civil and criminal litigation" This is $400,000 more than in 09-10 budget. (pages 79, 81, 82).
From the "Summary of Proposed Capital Improvement Projects" spreadsheet
$300,000 for Sports Fields Master Plan (work with NMUSD to upgrade CMHS football field/track
$500,000 for set aside for "Problem Properties" (motels).
Total costs for above: $2,750.000
Plus $1 million for contingency fund--
Let's hire six more cops, not fire the four who were recently fired and put the rest towards the unfunded liability debt. That's being more fiscally responsible.
Other employee related decisions which may affect quality of services eventually: (see 6/19/12 Agenda Report PH-5 page 1) Savings for firing 3 office specialists and one information technology manager: $401,000.
(Also, we eliminated 4 custody officers for the jail, a mechanic, maintenance worker, a planner, and suspended the in-house street rehab program, all of which the city manager acknowledges "may result in delays in service delivery but the financial savings is needed to balance the budget and move the City into a better financial position." He added staff will continually evaluate...and make adjustments to ensure appropriate service is provided to the community." (page 3 June 12 Study session report, CEO recommended changes) Total savings of these cuts are approximately $1million however, some money will be set aside for overtime and hiring 3 more code enforcement officers so it's hard to deermine actual projected savings. Fixing potholes in a timely manner is now another issue.)
LEECE.WENDY@costamesaca.gov or wendyleece@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Hubris in Costa Mesa
Definition: Excessive pride and arrogance. That's the word that comes to mind to describe the Council majority at Monday night's public "hearing" on the proposed charter.
Now that more outsiders have come to Costa Mesa to make our city ground zero for local government reform, it is all starting to make sense. First it was the OCGOP who insisted we should have our employees contribute more to their retirements. Now it is "others" representing special interests, as they did in Oceanside, who don't want the City to pay prevailing wages on municipal projects.
What a slap in the face to Costa Mesans who work in construction trades, who live in our clean, safe city and depend on those established wages to make a living.
Monday's meeting was another epiphany for me. I honestly thought that we would sift through many of the submitted suggestions to the Charter. Why did we ask for public input if we were not sincere in reading the hundreds of emails or listening to resident comments and discussing additions to the charter? All those hours spent by staff to organize the emails was a waste.
What a monumental waste of time for those who have taken the time to send in their ideas. I think some people thought their ideas might be considered.
Reviewing the ideas should have been done at a series of study sessions where we could have deliberated and wordsmithed each of them since we opted not to have a citizens committee write the charter.
At the very least, on Monday night I thought I would start with improvements to the proposed preamble, which has bothered me from the beginning. It just isn't right to copy and paste from Oceanside and Vista. We are Costa Mesa.
I made an exception to copy and paste from Huntington Beach's preamble because I like the part about ethics. As an elected, these words do hold me accountable and remind me to behave ethically.
We had a hard time agreeing on where to put the sentences, (and thanks to Perry Valantine who helped with his suggestion). We should have spent as much on time on the hundreds of other suggestions. Oh well.
At least we were able to include "that ethics and integrity are the foundation of public trust and that just governance is built upon these values" and "It is incumbent upon those who govern and make decisions for and on behalf of the City of Costa Mesa to legally, as well as morally, abide by the provisions of this Charter,in its strictest sense, to assure the continued success and well-being of our fair City."
However, I did NOT vote for the changes since "in its strictest sense" was deleted by the mayor pro tem. You will have to ask him why he didn't want "in the strictest sense" included.
Further motions of mine died for lack of seconds. I could see we were going nowhere so rather take up more time to achieve nothing, as it was nearly midnight, I agreed to end the meeting.
We've wasted a year--spinning, racking up more than half a million dollars in extra legal expenses, postponing layoffs, paying exorbitant salaries to consultants and what have we accomplished but to divide our city and create strife? Municipal finance is not rocket science. Residents can see through the exaggerations. Week after week residents have spoken to us about their ideas for cost savings. We had a $3.5 million surplus from the previous council's decisions. We aren't saving money now, that's for sure. We're spending!
By now, we could have met in good faith with all of our employee groups to achieve savings as we did before this council came into being. We've lost experienced and faithful employees, police and fire too, to other cities. We're losing our ability to retain and recruit the best.
All for pension reform. We're the tip of the spear you know. And now we also know that people are not as important as fixing potholes and alleys. We're taking a great risk to make all these changes so fast when we don't need to move so quickly.
The sky has never been falling. The unfunded liability bogeyman is something every city struggles with. In fact, pension expert John Bartell told us in October that we should "set up an affordable and reasonable time frame of not less than 20 years to payoff the unfunded pension liability." He also said that we would save money by establishing a second tier for new employees (we did with general employees in Oct. 2010) and having employees pay "some or all of their pension costs."
But this contentious environment has not been conducive to achieving those savings with employees.
I am not opposed to a charter, but I am opposed to this one because of the process, or lack of process, that the city council council has devised to pretend to take public input. It's really a sham.
I intend to work hard to oppose the charter assuming it will be approved on March 6. Wake up Costa Mesa!
Now that more outsiders have come to Costa Mesa to make our city ground zero for local government reform, it is all starting to make sense. First it was the OCGOP who insisted we should have our employees contribute more to their retirements. Now it is "others" representing special interests, as they did in Oceanside, who don't want the City to pay prevailing wages on municipal projects.
What a slap in the face to Costa Mesans who work in construction trades, who live in our clean, safe city and depend on those established wages to make a living.
Monday's meeting was another epiphany for me. I honestly thought that we would sift through many of the submitted suggestions to the Charter. Why did we ask for public input if we were not sincere in reading the hundreds of emails or listening to resident comments and discussing additions to the charter? All those hours spent by staff to organize the emails was a waste.
What a monumental waste of time for those who have taken the time to send in their ideas. I think some people thought their ideas might be considered.
Reviewing the ideas should have been done at a series of study sessions where we could have deliberated and wordsmithed each of them since we opted not to have a citizens committee write the charter.
At the very least, on Monday night I thought I would start with improvements to the proposed preamble, which has bothered me from the beginning. It just isn't right to copy and paste from Oceanside and Vista. We are Costa Mesa.
I made an exception to copy and paste from Huntington Beach's preamble because I like the part about ethics. As an elected, these words do hold me accountable and remind me to behave ethically.
We had a hard time agreeing on where to put the sentences, (and thanks to Perry Valantine who helped with his suggestion). We should have spent as much on time on the hundreds of other suggestions. Oh well.
At least we were able to include "that ethics and integrity are the foundation of public trust and that just governance is built upon these values" and "It is incumbent upon those who govern and make decisions for and on behalf of the City of Costa Mesa to legally, as well as morally, abide by the provisions of this Charter,
However, I did NOT vote for the changes since "in its strictest sense" was deleted by the mayor pro tem. You will have to ask him why he didn't want "in the strictest sense" included.
Further motions of mine died for lack of seconds. I could see we were going nowhere so rather take up more time to achieve nothing, as it was nearly midnight, I agreed to end the meeting.
We've wasted a year--spinning, racking up more than half a million dollars in extra legal expenses, postponing layoffs, paying exorbitant salaries to consultants and what have we accomplished but to divide our city and create strife? Municipal finance is not rocket science. Residents can see through the exaggerations. Week after week residents have spoken to us about their ideas for cost savings. We had a $3.5 million surplus from the previous council's decisions. We aren't saving money now, that's for sure. We're spending!
By now, we could have met in good faith with all of our employee groups to achieve savings as we did before this council came into being. We've lost experienced and faithful employees, police and fire too, to other cities. We're losing our ability to retain and recruit the best.
All for pension reform. We're the tip of the spear you know. And now we also know that people are not as important as fixing potholes and alleys. We're taking a great risk to make all these changes so fast when we don't need to move so quickly.
The sky has never been falling. The unfunded liability bogeyman is something every city struggles with. In fact, pension expert John Bartell told us in October that we should "set up an affordable and reasonable time frame of not less than 20 years to payoff the unfunded pension liability." He also said that we would save money by establishing a second tier for new employees (we did with general employees in Oct. 2010) and having employees pay "some or all of their pension costs."
But this contentious environment has not been conducive to achieving those savings with employees.
I am not opposed to a charter, but I am opposed to this one because of the process, or lack of process, that the city council council has devised to pretend to take public input. It's really a sham.
I intend to work hard to oppose the charter assuming it will be approved on March 6. Wake up Costa Mesa!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Unbelieveable Week
I was amazed to see so many Costa Mesa residents turn out last night to speak to oppose the 19th Street bridge idea. Bravo! Our Huntington Beach neighbors made their desires loud and clear to the 6 council members attending: NO BRIDGE!
However, I was the only Costa Mesa council member there. Residents must let the rest of the Costa Mesa Council know of their opposition. The Newport Beach City Council members also need to hear from residents in all cities. Newport wants the bridge as Supervisor Moorlach told us NB Councilman Rosansky asked him to bring up the bridge idea again and that's why we are going through this again.
The next Costa Mesa City Council meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 6:00 where you will have 3 minutes to voice your opinion and concerns about the bridge changing the quality of life for many Costa Mesans. A resolution (I said "proclamation" last night and I meant to say "resolution") was passed by the Costa Mesa Council in 1993 officially opposing the bridge and that opposition STILL STANDS.
Bottom line, the bridge needs to come off the county master plan for highways. But Newport needs to agree to it with CM and HB. This will not be an easy battle, but we Costa Mesans are up for it! This is a hill to die on, so please spread the word to your neighbors.
My head was spinning this morning when I started to see ALL of the emails with suggestions and comments about the proposed charter! I need to "process" these emails (each and every email is important to me) BEFORE Tuesday's special public hearing.
Are you kidding me? This is no way to run a city! We ask our residents to give us input but tell them they only have a few days to RESEARCH other charters, think about what IS BEST FOR COSTA MESA, and make a pitch for their ideas to be included! Haste makes waste. We will be sorry down the road if we don't slow this train down.
This morning, I have asked the CITY MANAGER and city attorney for clarification on the DROP DEAD date as we are all confused as to the timeline and legal requirements for adding and removing items. Why didn't we think all this through in the first place?
The Charter meeting on Wednesday was very ineffective and I listened to many frustrated residents that night. I agree. I am frustrated too! Residents wanted to ask questions and LISTEN to answers from other residents. Some residents, in asking questions at the info tables were told "look in your packet." It would take a normal person at least an hour to READ the packet let alone THINK about it!
I think we could be there all night at the special city council public hearing next Tuesday, Jan. 10 going over all of the input from residents and discussing among ourselves. Unless, other minds have already been made up about what is supposed to be in the Charter and input from residents really doesn't matter.
I'm sorry. I have have read the Charter, some of the emails and suggestions and I am having a hard time sifting through it all and also looking at other charters for OTHER ideas. I like to be thoroughly prepared when I walk into a meeting. Well, I could be prepared if I dropped everything else in my life for the next few days!
Costa Mesa is a very unique city. We should not be copying and pasting from other cities! Makes us look dumb! We aren't!
If this moves as fast as I think it will, the only recourse we have is to send a resounding message in June: WE DON'T WANT A CHARTER THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO UNDERSTAND THOROUGHLY AND THAT WE KNOW IS THE BEST FOR COSTA MESA, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
I don't care what other cities are doing to serve THEIR purposes. We have many great minds in this city and those ideas deserve to be heard in an orderly and timely manner.
We are a safe, clean city with excellent customer service. We live the good life here! I want to keep it that way.
However, I was the only Costa Mesa council member there. Residents must let the rest of the Costa Mesa Council know of their opposition. The Newport Beach City Council members also need to hear from residents in all cities. Newport wants the bridge as Supervisor Moorlach told us NB Councilman Rosansky asked him to bring up the bridge idea again and that's why we are going through this again.
The next Costa Mesa City Council meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 6:00 where you will have 3 minutes to voice your opinion and concerns about the bridge changing the quality of life for many Costa Mesans. A resolution (I said "proclamation" last night and I meant to say "resolution") was passed by the Costa Mesa Council in 1993 officially opposing the bridge and that opposition STILL STANDS.
Bottom line, the bridge needs to come off the county master plan for highways. But Newport needs to agree to it with CM and HB. This will not be an easy battle, but we Costa Mesans are up for it! This is a hill to die on, so please spread the word to your neighbors.
My head was spinning this morning when I started to see ALL of the emails with suggestions and comments about the proposed charter! I need to "process" these emails (each and every email is important to me) BEFORE Tuesday's special public hearing.
Are you kidding me? This is no way to run a city! We ask our residents to give us input but tell them they only have a few days to RESEARCH other charters, think about what IS BEST FOR COSTA MESA, and make a pitch for their ideas to be included! Haste makes waste. We will be sorry down the road if we don't slow this train down.
This morning, I have asked the CITY MANAGER and city attorney for clarification on the DROP DEAD date as we are all confused as to the timeline and legal requirements for adding and removing items. Why didn't we think all this through in the first place?
The Charter meeting on Wednesday was very ineffective and I listened to many frustrated residents that night. I agree. I am frustrated too! Residents wanted to ask questions and LISTEN to answers from other residents. Some residents, in asking questions at the info tables were told "look in your packet." It would take a normal person at least an hour to READ the packet let alone THINK about it!
I think we could be there all night at the special city council public hearing next Tuesday, Jan. 10 going over all of the input from residents and discussing among ourselves. Unless, other minds have already been made up about what is supposed to be in the Charter and input from residents really doesn't matter.
I'm sorry. I have have read the Charter, some of the emails and suggestions and I am having a hard time sifting through it all and also looking at other charters for OTHER ideas. I like to be thoroughly prepared when I walk into a meeting. Well, I could be prepared if I dropped everything else in my life for the next few days!
Costa Mesa is a very unique city. We should not be copying and pasting from other cities! Makes us look dumb! We aren't!
If this moves as fast as I think it will, the only recourse we have is to send a resounding message in June: WE DON'T WANT A CHARTER THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO UNDERSTAND THOROUGHLY AND THAT WE KNOW IS THE BEST FOR COSTA MESA, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
I don't care what other cities are doing to serve THEIR purposes. We have many great minds in this city and those ideas deserve to be heard in an orderly and timely manner.
We are a safe, clean city with excellent customer service. We live the good life here! I want to keep it that way.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thankful for the Opportunity to Serve
Lots of thoughts run through my head this year when thinking of the many things for which I can thank God.
My baby--22-year-old Emily--is in her third week of USMC Boot Camp at Parris Island. I am thankful she has chosen to serve our Country. I have been parenting for 38 years and with Emily's joining the Marines, I now find myself wondering where all those years went with my five kids. I'm thankful we survived!
Next year, I will have lived in this great city for 40 years. We could have moved away from Costa Mesa when life brought us some challenges, but there's something very unique about the Costa Mesa brand that doesn't exist anywhere else. I am thankful for Costa Mesa.
We are a safe, clean City of the Arts and not just performing arts. We're creative. We're eclectic. We're friendly. We're diverse. We do unto others. And I think a reason we're creative is because we're safe--or we have that "sense" of feeling safe that allows us to pursue our dreams and enjoy life. The cool ocean breezes, the ability to walk or ride to the beach, the varied cultures and lifestyles--Costa Mesa is like a taste of heaven on earth. We really do have everything here.
I am thankful I am in good health. I am optimistic about the future. I trust God to help us get through these difficult changes in our city's structure and delivery of services.
As I have kept up with my Council duties, I have continued to teach in the juvenile hall schools. City Council is not a full-time job for me and was not meant to be. I love the challenge of substitute teaching. Working with incarcerated youth has given me a greater understanding of why these kids fall through the cracks. I continue to support and recruit volunteers for our city's afterschool programs--non-profit or school-based. Encouraging literacy and life-long learning--to see our libraries remodeled and expanded, and a new, central library--these are my dreams.
I am thankful for those who support me in the positions I take--and for those who don't--and for those who have come out to the recent Town Hall meetings. I plan to hold more Town Halls in different parts of the city, so that we can work together with our city staff to keep us a safe city. I will continue to listen to resident concerns and work on solutions.
I am thankful for our city employees who have persevered with courage these last 3 years. They have shown their endurance and strength. They are true servants who, in my opinion, value the nobility of public service.
I am thankful God has given me the opportunity, at this time in my life, to serve on the Costa Mesa City Council.
Happy Thanksgiving from the Leeces
Stephen, Emily, Megan, Bret, Amy, Derek, Blithe, Mom, kiddies Kennedy, Hamilton
Next year, I will have lived in this great city for 40 years. We could have moved away from Costa Mesa when life brought us some challenges, but there's something very unique about the Costa Mesa brand that doesn't exist anywhere else. I am thankful for Costa Mesa.
We are a safe, clean City of the Arts and not just performing arts. We're creative. We're eclectic. We're friendly. We're diverse. We do unto others. And I think a reason we're creative is because we're safe--or we have that "sense" of feeling safe that allows us to pursue our dreams and enjoy life. The cool ocean breezes, the ability to walk or ride to the beach, the varied cultures and lifestyles--Costa Mesa is like a taste of heaven on earth. We really do have everything here.
I am thankful I am in good health. I am optimistic about the future. I trust God to help us get through these difficult changes in our city's structure and delivery of services.
As I have kept up with my Council duties, I have continued to teach in the juvenile hall schools. City Council is not a full-time job for me and was not meant to be. I love the challenge of substitute teaching. Working with incarcerated youth has given me a greater understanding of why these kids fall through the cracks. I continue to support and recruit volunteers for our city's afterschool programs--non-profit or school-based. Encouraging literacy and life-long learning--to see our libraries remodeled and expanded, and a new, central library--these are my dreams.
I am thankful for those who support me in the positions I take--and for those who don't--and for those who have come out to the recent Town Hall meetings. I plan to hold more Town Halls in different parts of the city, so that we can work together with our city staff to keep us a safe city. I will continue to listen to resident concerns and work on solutions.
I am thankful for our city employees who have persevered with courage these last 3 years. They have shown their endurance and strength. They are true servants who, in my opinion, value the nobility of public service.
I am thankful God has given me the opportunity, at this time in my life, to serve on the Costa Mesa City Council.
Stephen, Emily, Megan, Bret, Amy, Derek, Blithe, Mom, kiddies Kennedy, Hamilton
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Open House and a Thank You
Little guys and gals donning fire hats. Costa Mesa firefighters and paramedics explaining to them all the bells and whistles on the fire engine. Moms and dads watching approvingly. Today was Open House at Costa Mesa's five fire stations and there was a great turnout, firefighters told me.
Volunteers from CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) in their bright red shirts were also on hand to give out coloring books to the kids and emergency preparedness information to parents.
This week a Costa Mesa resident sent this email note about our CMFD to the City Council:
Your EMT team from fire station Park & 19th came to my assistance in late nite last Tuesday/Wed and took me to Hoag emergency. Thankfully I was able to return home in the early morning hours from the emergency room.
I cannot tell you what fabulous young men you have in that station. They responded to my home almost immediately - delivered extraordinary compassionate - professional - patient and kind treatment on the spot and throughout the trip to Hoag. Then later - when bringing in other "pick up patients" into Hoag through the night - they looked in on me another 2 times - always with a smile - "how are you doing" - just the BEST !!!!!
Please know that I am not a person who easily hands out any accolades, but these men - and their training - deserve special acknowledgement.
I hope you and your family members never need them - but if you do -- you will have the very finest of care you could hope for. They are priceless.
We can count on our firefighters, paramedics and police officers to continue to perform their duties and serve our residents with the highest professional standards. Regardless of the politics over the pension wars, the public safety employees working for our city continue to do an excellent job and for that I am grateful.
Volunteers from CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) in their bright red shirts were also on hand to give out coloring books to the kids and emergency preparedness information to parents.
This week a Costa Mesa resident sent this email note about our CMFD to the City Council:
Your EMT team from fire station Park & 19th came to my assistance in late nite last Tuesday/Wed and took me to Hoag emergency. Thankfully I was able to return home in the early morning hours from the emergency room.
I cannot tell you what fabulous young men you have in that station. They responded to my home almost immediately - delivered extraordinary compassionate - professional - patient and kind treatment on the spot and throughout the trip to Hoag. Then later - when bringing in other "pick up patients" into Hoag through the night - they looked in on me another 2 times - always with a smile - "how are you doing" - just the BEST !!!!!
Please know that I am not a person who easily hands out any accolades, but these men - and their training - deserve special acknowledgement.
I hope you and your family members never need them - but if you do -- you will have the very finest of care you could hope for. They are priceless.
We can count on our firefighters, paramedics and police officers to continue to perform their duties and serve our residents with the highest professional standards. Regardless of the politics over the pension wars, the public safety employees working for our city continue to do an excellent job and for that I am grateful.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
One Kid at a Time
Graffiti. I detest it. It’s a proven neighborhood destroyer. As soon as I see it, I call the Graffiti Hotline (714-327-7491). Within hours, it’s gone.
“When you get arrested, all that artwork will become evidence in charges against you and you will also have to pay restitution.”
When I am teaching in the juvenile hall schools, I often observe students tagging on the desks, in the books, on the chairs, walls-- anywhere they can make their “mark.” When I catch them, they get “written up” and have consequences. I try to make this a teachable moment.
I’ve explained to my classes numerous times about a new camera that will take a picture of their “art” The pictures are fed into a countywide data base.
Recently, one young man told me that he paints graffiti because he is mad at the government. I tried to explain to him that his taking a risk to be arrested again—to be locked up-- is not going to make any difference or change what the government is doing or not doing.
He seemed to listen. Later, I went to Michael’s craft store and bought him an artist’s pad so he could practice his art work on a more “appropriate” medium. (I was able to give the pad to him because he had completed a special program at the school. Otherwise, I would have to give a pad to all of the students).
I told him he could, when he gets out, go to Michael’s and buy small canvas boards and start selling his art work. “You are talented!” I told him. He smiled.
But, I knew he could make more money selling drugs and feared all my encouragement wouldn’t mean much when he got back to his neighborhood.
I haven’t seen him again. Perhaps he’s been released. I just hope he thinks next time before he does his “art”—and remembers a teacher once told him he had talent and to use it differently. This would make me smile.
From time to time I plan to share some of my thoughts and insights about the students I teach in the juvenile hall schools. I appreciate any comments or thoughts you might have as well. Each of these kids has a unique story.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Eagle in the Sky
I am sorry for the tragedy on Capri this week. I am going to ask how soon the HB helicopter arrived in CM. I am just wondering if we should not have been so hasty to do away with ABLE? Maybe, just maybe we should have been a little more analytical in our decision to unwind it. A force multiplier, a time tested way to get to the scene of the crime before the boots on the ground, we know that crime isn't selective these days. High income, low income, middle income--we are all at risk. We need to rethink ABLE. Maybe it's not too late. Maybe this is a wake-up call.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Thank you for coming to the Town Hall
Dear Costa Mesans,
Thank you! I am so pleased with you coming out last night, taking time from your busing schedules, to come to the first Town Hall. There were a few rough spots, so I appreciate your patience, but I am glad we could get the message out that what done is done and we need to work together as a community to keep us safe. Thank you to the CERT representatives--Diane Swarts and Diane Hill of United Neighbors and Neighborhood Safety and Preparedness Program for their great presentations and encouraging residents to sign up for the newsletter and training. (More later, I'm off to teach today). I can upload those documents so others can spread the word too.
Our city is awesome! Our employees---all of them--- are awesome! I believe those who are still with us are hard workers regardless of what is happening on the City Council. We miss those who have moved on, but appreciate their service to our City and wish them well. Not everyone goes into public service. It takes a special kind of person. And not everyone goes into public service for the benefits and pensions.
My priority will continue to do what is best for Costa Mesa. Thankfully things are slowing down a bit so we can catch our breath and begin to do things decently and in order.
Thank you! I am so pleased with you coming out last night, taking time from your busing schedules, to come to the first Town Hall. There were a few rough spots, so I appreciate your patience, but I am glad we could get the message out that what done is done and we need to work together as a community to keep us safe. Thank you to the CERT representatives--Diane Swarts and Diane Hill of United Neighbors and Neighborhood Safety and Preparedness Program for their great presentations and encouraging residents to sign up for the newsletter and training. (More later, I'm off to teach today). I can upload those documents so others can spread the word too.
Our city is awesome! Our employees---all of them--- are awesome! I believe those who are still with us are hard workers regardless of what is happening on the City Council. We miss those who have moved on, but appreciate their service to our City and wish them well. Not everyone goes into public service. It takes a special kind of person. And not everyone goes into public service for the benefits and pensions.
My priority will continue to do what is best for Costa Mesa. Thankfully things are slowing down a bit so we can catch our breath and begin to do things decently and in order.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
You are invited to the Town Hall on Monday
Town Hall Meeting with Wendy Leece ...
(6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) at the Neighborhood
Community Center.Saturday, July 30, 2011
Save the Date-Monday, August 15-- Town Hall Meeting With Councilwoman Wendy Leece
Let's talk about Costa Mesa's future in light of the City Council's recent actions. Will these decisions impact our safety? Will crime increase? Will response times be longer? What about the loss of ABLE? What's in store for the future of our city? I want to hear from you and also listen to your suggestions. I know many do not always agree with me, or may not have voted for me, but I can tell you truthfully, I represent all Costa Mesa residents who value the great city we live in who are concerned about recent changes.
6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday August 15, 2011
Neighborhood Community Center
1845 Park Ave. (between Lions Park, Library, Fire Station)
6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday August 15, 2011
Neighborhood Community Center
1845 Park Ave. (between Lions Park, Library, Fire Station)
Thursday, June 30, 2011
So Long A.B.L.E. Hello July 4
It's hard to believe that tomorrow begins a new era in our city. The Eagle in the sky won't be heard overhead since the City Council voted to dismantle the helicopter program and contract out with Huntington Beach. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the new system will work as well.
I just want to say "thank you" to Tim and the rest of the ABLE team. There are many in our city who value the force multiplier effects of ABLE. Yes, it was an expensive program to maintain in these challenging times. I am hopeful those interested in a public-private venture of some sort will figure out a way to restore Costa Mesans helicopter protection at a lesser cost.
Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July. We have so much to be thankful for in America and I always enjoy celebrating here in Costa Mesa. As I have said before, I love living here because I can be FREE to be me--no pretense, no keeping up with the Joneses. We're a little conglomeration of America in Costa Mesa. We've got conservatives, liberals, Dems, GOP, Independents, Greens, Decline to State, Libertarians, many ethnicities and religions, kids, seniors, boomers...those who love fireworks and those who don't like them.
Yes, this year will be a little different, but I know our police officers and firefighters/paramedics are ready to serve if called. And I do wish our youth groups a prosperous 5 days of sales. I'll be out there buying a few more sparklers myself.
I just want to say "thank you" to Tim and the rest of the ABLE team. There are many in our city who value the force multiplier effects of ABLE. Yes, it was an expensive program to maintain in these challenging times. I am hopeful those interested in a public-private venture of some sort will figure out a way to restore Costa Mesans helicopter protection at a lesser cost.
Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July. We have so much to be thankful for in America and I always enjoy celebrating here in Costa Mesa. As I have said before, I love living here because I can be FREE to be me--no pretense, no keeping up with the Joneses. We're a little conglomeration of America in Costa Mesa. We've got conservatives, liberals, Dems, GOP, Independents, Greens, Decline to State, Libertarians, many ethnicities and religions, kids, seniors, boomers...those who love fireworks and those who don't like them.
Yes, this year will be a little different, but I know our police officers and firefighters/paramedics are ready to serve if called. And I do wish our youth groups a prosperous 5 days of sales. I'll be out there buying a few more sparklers myself.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Welcome Mat Out for Criminals
Do you value the helicopter (Eagle) that has kept a lid on crime in Costa Mesa for nearly 40 years?
Do you think criminals are deterred from coming to Costa Mesa because they know the Eagle eye is watching over Costa Mesa residents?
Do you think our city's crime rate will go up if the amount of time Eagle is in the sky is reduced from 5 hours to 1 hour a day plus emergencies?
Do you think the City of Huntington Beach can do the job as well to protect us with its helicopter as Eagle?
Do you know that Costa Mesa will experience three (3) days of fireworks starting July 2?
If any of these questions bother you in the least bit, I suggest you plan to ask more questions and wait for your answer at Tuesday's (June 7) City Council meeting
The item is listed under "New Business" #1 Alternatives for the operation of the ABLE program.
Word on the street is that it is already a done deal that CM will contract with HB for $700 hour for $100,000. That would be 142 flying hours.
But not so fast (I say that a lot these days). Here's some more information to help you decide what is best for our city:
May 19 the ABLE board made up of CM and NB officers voted to ask the CM City Council to extend the ABLE program to Oct. 1, 2011 so that "additional research can be done" on writing an RFP (we're writing a lot of those these days, so ABLE should be "able" too). Expenses of $567,881 for the three months would come out of the ABLE reserve fund.
Add to this option, Newport Beach resident Peter Adderton who is offering to work with ABLE to cut costs and create a public/private venture that serves both cities for more than just an hour a day. Remember Peter came to a recent CM City Council meeting and asked the Council to consider his offer to help. (He had personal experience with the effectiveness of ABLE when there was an intruder in his home.)
The staff report for Monday states response time would be 5 minutes 49 seconds from HB. If the Eagle is airborne in CM the response time could be a couple of minutes. Officers can now call up the Eagle for support--that likely won't be the case since CM will be on a limited budget.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to predict that CM crime will increase. Once the criminals find out Eagle is gone, they will cross the border from SA. Thieves, druggies, sex offenders, parolees, gangs--what's to stop them? We have the most parolees than other cities per capita. I went on a "ride-a-long" on Saturday night and got an eyefull of what happens after 10 p.m. in our fair city. We cannot afford to lose ABLE. Tomorrow night I will read some actual reports of the great work ABLE has done recently.
The sky is not falling. We are balancing our budget. Why would we be willing to put residents at great risk? This is a great turning point for us. There is no urgency. ABLE voted to use their funds. We need to really think about this one.
We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by extending ABLE to Oct. 1. To do otherwise is not good law enforcement.
Do you think criminals are deterred from coming to Costa Mesa because they know the Eagle eye is watching over Costa Mesa residents?
Do you think our city's crime rate will go up if the amount of time Eagle is in the sky is reduced from 5 hours to 1 hour a day plus emergencies?
Do you think the City of Huntington Beach can do the job as well to protect us with its helicopter as Eagle?
Do you know that Costa Mesa will experience three (3) days of fireworks starting July 2?
If any of these questions bother you in the least bit, I suggest you plan to ask more questions and wait for your answer at Tuesday's (June 7) City Council meeting
The item is listed under "New Business" #1 Alternatives for the operation of the ABLE program.
Word on the street is that it is already a done deal that CM will contract with HB for $700 hour for $100,000. That would be 142 flying hours.
But not so fast (I say that a lot these days). Here's some more information to help you decide what is best for our city:
May 19 the ABLE board made up of CM and NB officers voted to ask the CM City Council to extend the ABLE program to Oct. 1, 2011 so that "additional research can be done" on writing an RFP (we're writing a lot of those these days, so ABLE should be "able" too). Expenses of $567,881 for the three months would come out of the ABLE reserve fund.
Add to this option, Newport Beach resident Peter Adderton who is offering to work with ABLE to cut costs and create a public/private venture that serves both cities for more than just an hour a day. Remember Peter came to a recent CM City Council meeting and asked the Council to consider his offer to help. (He had personal experience with the effectiveness of ABLE when there was an intruder in his home.)
The staff report for Monday states response time would be 5 minutes 49 seconds from HB. If the Eagle is airborne in CM the response time could be a couple of minutes. Officers can now call up the Eagle for support--that likely won't be the case since CM will be on a limited budget.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to predict that CM crime will increase. Once the criminals find out Eagle is gone, they will cross the border from SA. Thieves, druggies, sex offenders, parolees, gangs--what's to stop them? We have the most parolees than other cities per capita. I went on a "ride-a-long" on Saturday night and got an eyefull of what happens after 10 p.m. in our fair city. We cannot afford to lose ABLE. Tomorrow night I will read some actual reports of the great work ABLE has done recently.
The sky is not falling. We are balancing our budget. Why would we be willing to put residents at great risk? This is a great turning point for us. There is no urgency. ABLE voted to use their funds. We need to really think about this one.
We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by extending ABLE to Oct. 1. To do otherwise is not good law enforcement.
Monday, May 30, 2011
My Dad's Silent Witness for America and Freedom
I've shared before the effect of my dad's WWII Army injuries had on me. He did not talk much about his service on the front lines in Germany in late 1944.
In reading over the war history, my sister and I learned dad (James R. Brooks) enlisted in a special officer training program that was based at Purdue and was called up because Eisenhower had a severe shortage of infantrymen.
Bradley lacked 17,000 riflemen because of casualties of prolonged combat and the severe weather in Europe. Also, at this time Eisenhower made a momentous decision and allowed African-American soldiers who had been assigned to service units to be able to volunteer for duty as combat infantrymen and committed to front line service. The Army had been forced to discard its policy of segregating white and black soldiers.
We never knew the details, but we knew dad was injured, nearly died, and spent time recuperating in a US hospital. He returned to the Uof I, met and married my mom when they were working together at the Daily Illini.
As a kid, seeing the big scars on his back and on the backs of his legs spoke volumes to me of his love of his country and his fight for freedom. He had a limp, but he never complained. When retired, he sold poppies for the VFW. My mom actually called him "Poppy." Before he died in 2003 they found shrapnel in his leg when he finally complained.
He set a great example for us and I have tried to pass along that example to my kids. Loving America, loving another person, loving our neighbors does require personal sacrifice. At the time, my dad didn't realize his sacrifice and willingness to lay down his life for his country would impact daughters yet to be born. He's been gone now 8 years, but his legacy lives on in his daughters and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Today, as I left the Memorial Day service, I found the brick I had made in my dad's honor. I smiled. I miss him.
Thanks, Dad, for all you did! And thanks to all the others for your sacrifice as we remember you today. America--and freedom are still worth fighting for.
In reading over the war history, my sister and I learned dad (James R. Brooks) enlisted in a special officer training program that was based at Purdue and was called up because Eisenhower had a severe shortage of infantrymen.
Bradley lacked 17,000 riflemen because of casualties of prolonged combat and the severe weather in Europe. Also, at this time Eisenhower made a momentous decision and allowed African-American soldiers who had been assigned to service units to be able to volunteer for duty as combat infantrymen and committed to front line service. The Army had been forced to discard its policy of segregating white and black soldiers.
We never knew the details, but we knew dad was injured, nearly died, and spent time recuperating in a US hospital. He returned to the Uof I, met and married my mom when they were working together at the Daily Illini.
As a kid, seeing the big scars on his back and on the backs of his legs spoke volumes to me of his love of his country and his fight for freedom. He had a limp, but he never complained. When retired, he sold poppies for the VFW. My mom actually called him "Poppy." Before he died in 2003 they found shrapnel in his leg when he finally complained.
He set a great example for us and I have tried to pass along that example to my kids. Loving America, loving another person, loving our neighbors does require personal sacrifice. At the time, my dad didn't realize his sacrifice and willingness to lay down his life for his country would impact daughters yet to be born. He's been gone now 8 years, but his legacy lives on in his daughters and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Today, as I left the Memorial Day service, I found the brick I had made in my dad's honor. I smiled. I miss him.
Thanks, Dad, for all you did! And thanks to all the others for your sacrifice as we remember you today. America--and freedom are still worth fighting for.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
What makes Costa Mesa Costa Mesa?
When, fresh out of college, my husband and I moved from Tucson to Costa Mesa in 1972, we were attracted to Costa Mesa's "small town" feeling. I loved the fresh air and living a mile from the beach and close to the local schools.The realtor told us a big marina was going to be built below the bluffs near the Santa Ana River channel and PCH. That was definitely an enticement to settle in the Marina Highlands neighborhood. We bought our house on Valley Circle for $29,500 and stayed there for 27 years. We brought five Leece babies delivered at Hoag Hospital to this family home from 1973 to 1989.
My late husband, John, was an architect who worked for Bill Ficker at one time and later had his own business on El Camino in the Mesa del Mar. John's "next door neighbor" was now Supervisor John M.W. Moorlach, then our accountant, who asked me to run for the school board in 89 and was my campaign treasurer.
I was a very busy and happy wife and mother and always content with the choice we made to live in Costa Mesa. Yes, I worked many fireworks' stands, sold candy, cookies, you name it. With five kids I was always peddling something! I always voted in the elections but didn't pay much attention to what was going on at City Hall. But I did wonder what happened to that marina.
Now, nearly 40 years later, I think nearly 24-7 about what is going on at City Hall and the future of Costa Mesa and the role I play as an elected council woman representing all Costa Mesans. The national financial tsunami has shaken us to our core.
As a journalist and teacher, I strive to be prudent before voting on any issue. I listen to all points of view--that is my job. I may be predisposed to vote on something, but sometimes, after listening to others, I change my mind. Last week I voted for the request from the planning commission to look at ways to increase efficiency in the planning and building departments. That doesn't lock me in to approving those requests in the budget. But let's get it on the "wish list."
I continue to dig for the real numbers we are dealing with in the 2011-2012 budget. The current $5 million shortfall is still unidentified, but in upcoming budget meetings we may learn it is more or less and decide what to do about it. We will keep cutting. After all, two years ago we had to cut $20 million.
How we will deliver all of our services, whether those be police protection, fire and emergency, street sweeping or graffiti removal, will impact us and our quality of life and the future residents we want to attract to our wonderful city.
I believe the debate about our future should be civil, just and respectful and full of public input, deliberation and transparency. The public has a right to know how our decisions will impact them.
I have tried to honor and abide by those principles in the last three years of negotiations with our employees as the need for pension reform became apparent. I knew what happened to Vallejo when it went bankrupt. I am willing to meet and confer with them now so these groups can be part of the solution. I have asked myself as I weighed consequences of my votes on employee contracts, cuts to programs, layoffs needed to balance the budgets, "What's best for Costa Mesa?" Yes, there is an urgency, but haste makes waste, and I don't like to hurry. Analysis can be paralyzing too, so there must be a balance. Decisions must be based on sound data.
At the top of my list of concerns has been the safety of all Costa Mesans. Government can't do everything, but protecting residents and delivering emergency services are priorities. We should "love our neighbors as ourselves" and consider the diverse population we serve, especially our senior residents. To put residents' safety at risk over hasty, poorly researched proposals or ideas, or to intentionally bring confusion or misunderstanding to our public square is unconscionable. I am getting many emails this week from residents concerned about the four days of fireworks.
All of us make Costa Mesa Costa Mesa. If there ever was a time to find out what is going on at City Hall, the time is now. Or the very special Costa Mesa we know and love will only be a memory.
My late husband, John, was an architect who worked for Bill Ficker at one time and later had his own business on El Camino in the Mesa del Mar. John's "next door neighbor" was now Supervisor John M.W. Moorlach, then our accountant, who asked me to run for the school board in 89 and was my campaign treasurer.
I was a very busy and happy wife and mother and always content with the choice we made to live in Costa Mesa. Yes, I worked many fireworks' stands, sold candy, cookies, you name it. With five kids I was always peddling something! I always voted in the elections but didn't pay much attention to what was going on at City Hall. But I did wonder what happened to that marina.
Now, nearly 40 years later, I think nearly 24-7 about what is going on at City Hall and the future of Costa Mesa and the role I play as an elected council woman representing all Costa Mesans. The national financial tsunami has shaken us to our core.
As a journalist and teacher, I strive to be prudent before voting on any issue. I listen to all points of view--that is my job. I may be predisposed to vote on something, but sometimes, after listening to others, I change my mind. Last week I voted for the request from the planning commission to look at ways to increase efficiency in the planning and building departments. That doesn't lock me in to approving those requests in the budget. But let's get it on the "wish list."
I continue to dig for the real numbers we are dealing with in the 2011-2012 budget. The current $5 million shortfall is still unidentified, but in upcoming budget meetings we may learn it is more or less and decide what to do about it. We will keep cutting. After all, two years ago we had to cut $20 million.
How we will deliver all of our services, whether those be police protection, fire and emergency, street sweeping or graffiti removal, will impact us and our quality of life and the future residents we want to attract to our wonderful city.
I believe the debate about our future should be civil, just and respectful and full of public input, deliberation and transparency. The public has a right to know how our decisions will impact them.
I have tried to honor and abide by those principles in the last three years of negotiations with our employees as the need for pension reform became apparent. I knew what happened to Vallejo when it went bankrupt. I am willing to meet and confer with them now so these groups can be part of the solution. I have asked myself as I weighed consequences of my votes on employee contracts, cuts to programs, layoffs needed to balance the budgets, "What's best for Costa Mesa?" Yes, there is an urgency, but haste makes waste, and I don't like to hurry. Analysis can be paralyzing too, so there must be a balance. Decisions must be based on sound data.
At the top of my list of concerns has been the safety of all Costa Mesans. Government can't do everything, but protecting residents and delivering emergency services are priorities. We should "love our neighbors as ourselves" and consider the diverse population we serve, especially our senior residents. To put residents' safety at risk over hasty, poorly researched proposals or ideas, or to intentionally bring confusion or misunderstanding to our public square is unconscionable. I am getting many emails this week from residents concerned about the four days of fireworks.
All of us make Costa Mesa Costa Mesa. If there ever was a time to find out what is going on at City Hall, the time is now. Or the very special Costa Mesa we know and love will only be a memory.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Miles to Go
Here are the words I used to describe us the other night. If you have any you would like to contribute, please do.
Safe--we are a safe city and I want to keep us that way.
Appreciative
Trusting
Peaceful
Civil
Merciful
Truthful
Transparent
Free to be
Law abiding-self governing
Kind
Neat
Respectful
Consistent
Tolerant
Strong
Warm
Welcoming
Patient
Hardworking
Family as a Priority
Also, I'm adding:
Eclectic
Artsy
Non-conforming
Multi-cultural
Diverse
There are more of course, but in light of the heaviness of our challenges and the divisiveness and contention right now, I thought it would be helpful to start to define who we are as a community.
But where do we go from here? Residents, employees who serve our residents, business owners, visitors, customers, other elected officials--everyone has an interest in what is happening here in Costa Mesa.
First, my hope would be that we begin anew to work hard to build good relationships with each other and be good listeners.
We need to rebuild trust with our employees, the ones who will still be here in six months. We have worked with them for many hours and they have contributed to millions of dollars in savings in the last few years to help us balance our budget.
I am disappointed that some have taken a mean-spirited approach and feel the need to rush to change our city.
We cannot eradicate the unions in Costa Mesa and still have the same city. We need a plan with principles. Stockton has one on pension reform we could follow and adapt--for starters. The Association of California Cities-Orange County just sent me a draft for pension reform "Items Cities Can Begin Implementing Today". I serve on the pension reform task force which came up with basic principles. This is the right way to do pension reform so that OC cities make changes at roughly the same time because all cities need to be competitive in the market to attract the best employees. I am concerned that we will not attract the best of the best who want to work for Costa Mesa.
Our City of Costa Mesa "Fund Balance" for February is $66,300,082.07. (Treasurer's Report for month of February 2011). We are not running out of money. We have time, even a month, to slow down and get our arms around the numbers, talk about making more cuts, look at possible increases in revenue (SCP) and have a balanced budget by June 30.
We have consultants and staff working together to send out the RFPs. It's a monumental task. I just hope we don't make mistakes we regret down the road because we hurried this process and bit off more than we can chew.
We have to count the cost of these changes in our service delivery and inform and involve our residents as we go along. I'm concerned of course about the level of our police protection and fire/paramedic services too. We certainly don't want to lower our standards one bit.
I will continue to seek the best for Costa Mesa and value your input along the way.
wl
Safe--we are a safe city and I want to keep us that way.
Appreciative
Trusting
Peaceful
Civil
Merciful
Truthful
Transparent
Free to be
Law abiding-self governing
Kind
Neat
Respectful
Consistent
Tolerant
Strong
Warm
Welcoming
Patient
Hardworking
Family as a Priority
Also, I'm adding:
Eclectic
Artsy
Non-conforming
Multi-cultural
Diverse
There are more of course, but in light of the heaviness of our challenges and the divisiveness and contention right now, I thought it would be helpful to start to define who we are as a community.
But where do we go from here? Residents, employees who serve our residents, business owners, visitors, customers, other elected officials--everyone has an interest in what is happening here in Costa Mesa.
First, my hope would be that we begin anew to work hard to build good relationships with each other and be good listeners.
We need to rebuild trust with our employees, the ones who will still be here in six months. We have worked with them for many hours and they have contributed to millions of dollars in savings in the last few years to help us balance our budget.
I am disappointed that some have taken a mean-spirited approach and feel the need to rush to change our city.
We cannot eradicate the unions in Costa Mesa and still have the same city. We need a plan with principles. Stockton has one on pension reform we could follow and adapt--for starters. The Association of California Cities-Orange County just sent me a draft for pension reform "Items Cities Can Begin Implementing Today". I serve on the pension reform task force which came up with basic principles. This is the right way to do pension reform so that OC cities make changes at roughly the same time because all cities need to be competitive in the market to attract the best employees. I am concerned that we will not attract the best of the best who want to work for Costa Mesa.
Our City of Costa Mesa "Fund Balance" for February is $66,300,082.07. (Treasurer's Report for month of February 2011). We are not running out of money. We have time, even a month, to slow down and get our arms around the numbers, talk about making more cuts, look at possible increases in revenue (SCP) and have a balanced budget by June 30.
We have consultants and staff working together to send out the RFPs. It's a monumental task. I just hope we don't make mistakes we regret down the road because we hurried this process and bit off more than we can chew.
We have to count the cost of these changes in our service delivery and inform and involve our residents as we go along. I'm concerned of course about the level of our police protection and fire/paramedic services too. We certainly don't want to lower our standards one bit.
I will continue to seek the best for Costa Mesa and value your input along the way.
wl
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Time to Rest
Sometimes it is good to take a day off and just catch up. I did that today. My mountains of paperwork were starting to get to me, so I needed to sort them into piles. The biggest piles are for pensions and budget information of course.
Late this afternoon, I was a judge for the City's Farm after school program. Those kids are pretty smart! They did presentations on various aspects of the farm--vegetable gardening, animal care. I was so impressed. The presentation about the four parts of a cow's stomach was excellent. What an awesome program we have. The winners will be announced on Friday at 5 at the Farm.
Then I went to the Costa Mesa Community Foundation meeting--all volunteer board members lead by Bill Turpit, who are working to make our city the best! (Watch for the 5K Run on April 22 and 23 and the FIVE Concerts in the Park series this summer that the CMCF is sponsoring).
Which brings me to my point. We have a wonderful city of which we all--residents and employees should be very proud. Things are still humming along in spite of changes happening. But the sky is not falling in Costa Mesa. There is no budget crisis. Yes, we do need to do some serious trimming in the next few months. But I'm not spending time grandstanding on national tv shows. I'm actually looking for solutions. And I turned down a FOX interview today so I could do my paperwork, catch up on emails, make some long overdue phone calls, talk to two daughters and just enjoy life in this great city.
Late this afternoon, I was a judge for the City's Farm after school program. Those kids are pretty smart! They did presentations on various aspects of the farm--vegetable gardening, animal care. I was so impressed. The presentation about the four parts of a cow's stomach was excellent. What an awesome program we have. The winners will be announced on Friday at 5 at the Farm.
Then I went to the Costa Mesa Community Foundation meeting--all volunteer board members lead by Bill Turpit, who are working to make our city the best! (Watch for the 5K Run on April 22 and 23 and the FIVE Concerts in the Park series this summer that the CMCF is sponsoring).
Which brings me to my point. We have a wonderful city of which we all--residents and employees should be very proud. Things are still humming along in spite of changes happening. But the sky is not falling in Costa Mesa. There is no budget crisis. Yes, we do need to do some serious trimming in the next few months. But I'm not spending time grandstanding on national tv shows. I'm actually looking for solutions. And I turned down a FOX interview today so I could do my paperwork, catch up on emails, make some long overdue phone calls, talk to two daughters and just enjoy life in this great city.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
I, Public Employee from American Thinker. Thought I would share this
I, Public Employee
This could be a Costa Mesa employee.
There is so much anger, innacurate information out there.
I hope to clarify things within the next few days.
Have a nice Costa Mesa weekend.
wl
Wisconsin in Costa Mesa?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/opinion/22cronon.html?_r=1
This could be a Costa Mesa employee.
There is so much anger, innacurate information out there.
I hope to clarify things within the next few days.
Have a nice Costa Mesa weekend.
wl
Wisconsin in Costa Mesa?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/opinion/22cronon.html?_r=1
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