_______From: Ruthee Goldkorn
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 12:33 PM
To: Bonnie Flickinger
Cc: Richard Stewart
Subject: Mayor's agenda
Madame Mayor,
This is one of the few times I am so happy that Moreno Valley voters do not have
a directly elected Mayor with actual power and authority. The "Round Robin"
selection process of the City Council means the voters do not have to be
responsible for putting you in the office of a real Mayor to have these
outrageous proposed policies and agenda.
Ms. Flickenger, you have stated you want to limit speakers at City Council
meetings from voicing their opinions of candidates or ballot measures. Sorry
Madame Ceremonial Mayor, but the First Amendment trumps your "authority". We
have a ballot measure to change the mechanism by which the mayor is determined
and you can be sure the voters will want to be heard at City Council meetings,
in our parks, in our restaurants and at the ballot box. We have City Council
candidates, of which you are one, that need to hear the voice of the people
other than at your campaign coffee klatche's.
Stating you will decline a $5 million grant for programs to keep our kids
occupied and safe because there are administrative costs not included in the
grant is irresponsible. If the City applied for this grant and it was approved,
then I guess the application was not written properly to include administrative
costs. Regardless of how this city received the grant, you but do not, under
any circumstances, believe that this City does not owe the kids and their
parents at least $700,000 to accept a $5 million grant for their benefit, do
you?
Rethink your priorities, Ms. Flickenger. And for heaven's sake, read the First
Amendment before you say another word about stifling free speech.
Respectfully,
Ruthee Goldkorn_________________________________
From: Bonnie Flickinger
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 1:43 PM
To: 'Ruthee Goldkorn'
Cc:
llucas@pe.com; William Batey; Jesse Molina; Richard Stewart; Robin Hastings
Subject: RE: Mayor's agenda
Ms. Goldkorn:
The issue regarding public comments involves the rules for the public and the
rules for the City Councilmembers (which I have been told are more
restrictive). The point is to articulate the laws so that they are clear to
everyone at the beginning of the August 24 meeting and so that the standards I
am to enforce from the dais are clearly set forth. The statement of the law
will apply to the rights of the public and to the rights of the Councilmembers,
whether they are the same or more restrictive for the Council.
In all the years you have been a City Council watchdog, you have never seen me
violate a speaker's First Amendment rights, whether to "stifle free speech" or
otherwise -- in fact, I believe you know that I am a strong advocate of public
input and the entire Bill of Rights.
My authority at the Council meeting is limited to conducting the meeting and
maintaining a civil decorum and equal respect for everyone. Should we ever get
an elected mayor, that authority would apply to that mayor, as well.
Regarding the costs associated with the grant, please note that this is what the
P-E article said:
Whether the council wants to accept a $5 million state grant for an afterschool
education and safety program. The problem is that the city would have to throw
in $700,000 in administrative costs that aren't covered in the funding,
Flickinger said.
"Whether the Council wants to accept" is a description of the issue which will
be discussed. "The problem is" describes the probable content of the discussion
which will take place. Nothing in the article stated or implied that I was in
favor of "declining a $5 million grant" or depriving Moreno Valley children of a
valuable program. In fact, if you had checked the agenda materials themselves
(on the city's website at
www.moval.org<http://www.moval.org>), you would have seen that the staff
report indicates clearly "No action recommended at this time."
Jumping to conclusions is inadvisable and divisive. Please don't do it again.
Thank you.
Bonnie
________________________________
==================
Bonnie We all shiould be concerned regarding the freedom that one is
afforded through our first amendment rights "Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of
the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress
of grievances." Let's face it you just don't want to hear it because you will
be in the hot seat this election but last election you said nothing regarding
this issue yet puplic comments are held towards the end of the council meetings.
and council meeting are held at the same time as school board meetings so in
essence you have silenced the people's voice regardless of any questions you
might have for Bob Hansen to further silence the voice of the people If
congress is not allowed this luxury then why should you? MRS. GOLDKORN DID NOT
JUMP TO ANY CONCLUSIONS, I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR,
HANSEN.
LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK!
JESSE L, MOLINA
COUNCILMEMBER 1ST DISTRICT
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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CITY ATTORNEY LETTER???
I took it down after an irate e-mail and phone call. Although the copy I received was not marked "confidential", reportedly it was. (so much for government transparency). Also, there's no need to have the ovaries of the good folks at city hall in a major uproar anymore than they always are.
Actually the letter was pretty boring lawyer stuff that could be interpreted a bunch of different ways, but the way I read it was to tell the council to be respectful of our first amendment rights.
For those who don't respect our first amendment rights, please refer to the great English philosopher, Lilly Allen.