HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - June 2, 1993 (71)CITY COUNCIL MEETING
June 2, 1993
OPPOSITION TO RECALL
CC -6 Alice woollett, 1011 Pinot Noir, Lodi, made several
CC -18 comments regarding the recall and her experience in
participating in a recall effort in the past. Ms. Woollett
also presented each Council Member with a wrapped gift.
June 8, 1993
Mr. Editor:
The enclosed "Letter to the Editor", addressing the
Lodi City Council was read by me at their meeting on
June 2, 1993. 1 know in the reading additions were made
and due to a time limit many omissions. I have been asked
to have it submitted to both the Lodi News -Sentinel and
the Stockton Record to be published in its entirety.
Thank You,
Way
Mary Alice Woollett
Mary Alice Woollett
1011 Pinot Noir Dr.
Lodi, CA. 95240
209-334-1265
Editor: Addressed to the Lodi City Council
Mr. Mayor, Councilmen, City Manager and Staff:, I am here
tonite in opposition to recalls: Years ago, 1 managed the
office of one of the largest recalls in Northern California.
I participated because of moral issues. However, the main
reason was of a business nature. This recall was financed
and roll by business people, industry, farmers and other
interested citizens like myself. We had plenty of money,
volunteers and the
trouble collecting
Actually, we had enough
lost.' Why: Many people
with a recall.
the recall. We
support of local newspapers. We had no
more signatures than
petition, either didn't go to the polls
required to proceed
signatures to win
that signed the
or voted against the
recall. Their seasoning, we should be given the right to
recall, but the person being recalled should have the same
right to serve his term. Interesting!
During that recall, I was constantly harassed and threatened.
Most nights, I needed a police escort home from our office.
All our efforts were a great waste of taxpayer's money, as
well as, the money, time and energy spent by the recall
committee.
The benefactor of a recall is the newspaper, which unfairly,
takes money from both sides, and then prints editorials and
recommendations favoring only one side. Is this fair when
we- have just one newspaper: If all this "recalling" gets
serious, I would like to see our local newspaper ignore the
subject completely, or at Least stay neutral. Let those
involved get the "word" out via community gatherings. Those
interested could attend, ask questions and then make up
their own minds.
For those thinking this council is much different from many
others, think again! Just a few years ago, when sandy Snider,
Fred Reid and Evelyn Olson took office, they made it clear
Jim Pinkerton would never be mayor as long as they were on
the council. They played "Musical Chairs" with the "seat" of
mayor. David Hinchman replaced Bob Murphy two years later
and he joined their "game".
Bob Murphy had two remaining years as councilman before
Mr. Hinchmans election, and should have had his turn being
mayor, but he was given the "token" title of Mayor pro -tem
for both those years.
When Jim Pinkerton decided not to seek another term on the
council and try for the assembly, he was handed the gavel.
They allowed him to be mayor. There is not much honor
serving as mayor when attained via the "good Buddy System".
Someday, when the mayor is elected by the voters, it will be
a more meaningful office. It seems to me that when the gavel
gets into the hands of some people, it literally goes to their
heads.
At least one good thing has come from the last seven months
of council meetings, you now have the attention of the people
that elected you. More people are becoming involved and are
attending meetings or watching you on T.V.. However, many
are watching just for comedic intertainment!
Before the last election, you, Phil Pennino, Randy Snider,
Jack Sieglock and Steve Mann "campaigned" either openly or
behind the scenes against Mr. Davenport. You never intended
to accept him! The shameless display of rolling eyes, shaking
heads and sharp retorts, clearly show your discourtesies
toward Mr. Davenport.
Your voting against motions made by Mr. Davenport, if they
hadn't died for lack of a second, reminds me of the years
Jim Pinkerton also faced the same treatment.
Hr. Manor, since you and our councilmen show disrespect for
Mr. Davenport, Mr. Peterson and his staff are also showing their
contempt. Why, what is going on that the voters should know
about?
I was very aware of your quick decision to hold Public Forums
on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings immediately following Mr.
Davenports informing you he had prior commitments on both nights.
However, he did attend some of those meetings and I saw his wife
in attendance at all forums and am sure she kept her husband
informed. For the most part, those meetings were boring!
The one thing I learned from them, was the many "Kingdoms"
it takes to run our City, and how many assistants in each
"Kingdom" and the great amount of money needed for their survival.
Finally, I am embarrassed at the way this council has not
worked together! I believe in young people in leadership rolls,
out so far you have disappointed me. You are all acting very
immature.
I have noticed the F.O.T. buttons and lemon drops on display,
and I now wish to give you each a gift that represents how
you portray yourselves to me. I included you, Mr. Peterson,
but frankly, I couldn't afford presents for all your staff
and their many assistants.
Thank you for your time.
( I gave out five pacifiers and one cigar -hopefully, separating
the man from the boys. Guess who got the cigar!)
P.S. I would like to make a plea that all recalls be dropped --
if not let them "die for lack of a second", In other words,
don't
sign any petitions!
Mary lice Woollett
(
Cable -rate
cuts now
in hands
of viewers,
Gannett News Service
WASHINGTON — After years of
congressional battles and months of rule
%Titling by the Federal Communications
Commission. it is now up to cable TV
customers and local governments to make
sure rates are reduced and service is im-
proved starting this summer.
That's because the cabk TV law and
FCC regulations implementing it. which
become effective June 21. require cities
and other local governments that fran-
chise cable systems — plus subscribers
themselves — to act before changes and
rates can be ordered.
"The hidden issue is whether the cities
rise to the occasion and really bring home
the bacon,' said Gene Kimmelman, legis-
lative director for the Consumer Feder-
ation of America.
Cities must seek certification as regula-
tors from the FCC before seeking to
implement the new rules. It they don't
become certified, cable companies could
slip partially or completely through the
regulatory scheme kaving current rates
untouched. Kimmelman and others said. -
The FCC adopted a compkx set of reg-
ulations — more than 500 pages long —
that could cut cable TV rates by 10 per-
cent or more for all levels of cable service
on 75 percent of the nation's 11,000 cable
systems. The exception: premium and
pay-per-view channels.
The regulations also control the lees
cabk operators can charge for installa-
tion. remote controls, convertor boxes
and second TV -set hookups
Other regulations. effective July 1. gov-
ern cabk-system office hours. telephone
availability, installations. system outages.
service calls, billing and refund policies.
But the FCC left it up to the cities to
implement the rates for equipment and
basic -cable service — local broadcast sta-
tions and public. educational and govern-
mental stations — and oversee service
standards.
Before customers get those benefits.
cities must file. starting June 21. to be-
come certified by the FCC as regulators
for their local systems and adopt proce-
dures for implementing the regulations
and standards.
The FCC also retained control of rates
for cabk-service levels higher than basic.
To gain rate reductions at those levels,
subscribers or cities must petition the
FCC directly. starting June 21.
Topping it off is the complexity of the
new regulations. +►filch set a maximum
per -channel charge. or "benchmark."
based on a particular system's number of
total channels. cable network stations.
subscribers and other variables.
"Organizations like ours are trying to
decipher exactly what the rules say." said
Anna Ferrera, the telecommunications
expert for the National League of Cities.
"It's taking some time."
While the regulations may be complex,
local governments have to act for their
constituents to get the benefits, Kimmel -
man said.
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