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That's great news. We'll keep gathering signatures.

The recall petition filing is an opportunity for the City Council to reconnect with their constituency.

There has been such a strong disconnect, and so little communication outside of city council meetings, where concerned citizens are granted three minutes to speak, after which the Brown Act is invoked to prevent replies.

Regardless of whether the recall succeeds, the City Council has been shaken up, and is on notice that the people they represent want representation on the issues that are of most concern to them. Not just a few firebrands at the council meetings, but thousands of citizens throughout the city limits and beyond.

Of course, most citizens do not see or have an appreciation for much of the work that the council does to keep the city running, and I will offer my appreciation for the significant amount of work they do for the modest stipend they receive.

Ultimately, the councilmembers serve at "the pleasure of the people", and are accountable for their actions and inactions throughout their term, not just an election every four years.

I look forward to much greater alignment between the city council's actions and the wishes of the community.

Regarding the statements of Horgan and DeVito - may they choose their words with consideration. They have an opportunity to be divisive or conciliatory. They can bunker up or open up. The former path is instinctive, a fight or flight response. The latter is more painful and challenging to the ego, but will lead to greater positive change for all parties concerned.

First, the good news. The council and their staff are beginning to converse with the public. For years they have purposely misinterpreted the Brown Act so that they would not have to talk with the public at council meetings. At last night's meeting they used the public communications part of the meeting to dialogue. I complimented them on this.

Now the bad news. The Brown Act says the council can talk briefly at public communications in response to what the public brings up regarding subjects not on the agenda. Councilpersons Horgan and DeVito did not follow this Brown Act guideline. They brought up the subject of the DeVito recall themselves, which is an abuse of the Brown Act. Horgan defended DeVito, saying the recall was "disgusting, patently false, an obvious payback," which should be for "serious misconduct," have "real justification," for matters which "protect our small town atmosphere and the public welfare." She alleged the recall would "tear apart," be "distracting" from "real issues," be "not productive," "clearly destructive and mean spirited." She suggested that the recall be withdrawn immediately. I don't know what long she spoke but she appeared to stay within the 3 minute public communications guideline.

Joe DeVito then used the public communication period to defend himself. If Kenley is correct, he took 6 minutes, twice the amount of time normally allowed. He started by saying he had not talked to Sue, but had sent her a letter from a Bonnie who said she was excited about a Subway coming in. Joe added that "I'm not pushing Subway." He said he was responding to "three allegations." I scribbled notes as he was speaking so this is partial at best. Please see the tapes for the full context of Horgan and DeVito's remarks.

From my notes, Joe apparently said "I was responsible for the open policy of schools," "I had something to do with...widening the 101...and the 118..., the trolley...the skateboard park...I talked to Olson, it would not have occurred...homeschooling, I started it...Sanitary District...councilman Olson and I...fought Sanitary District...I'm not bragging...you people don't even have gumption to salute the flag...one of candidates four times...if you would have listened, I agreed...he was complaining to high heaven...you said you went to Seatle...you said Starbucks... you... complaining because you weren't notified..."

Again, I add this disclaimer. View the tapes for the accurate statements. What I write here is from my notes taken rapidly at the meeting. I think that maybe three or four of us responded to Horgan's public communication remarks. I can't recall when DeVito made his remarks, before or after we did. To say the least, Horgan's remarks were debatable, and probably inappropriate since the meeting was expressly concerning the moratorium, not the recall.

My notes show 15 people spoke at the agendized part of the meeting, all in favor of a moritorium, and almost all, if not all, against "chaining" Ojai. It was impressive. Mothers with children, local business owners, a developer, representatives from the Oaks and Ojai Valley Inn, activists and citizens with various backgrounds and qualifications.

In my remarks, I said the whole meeting was a farce. I felt like Alice in Wonderland or in a twilight zone where things were not what they appeared to be. I pointed out that if the council really wanted to oppose chains, they could have done it long ago. If they really were against chains, they would have cooperated with Jeff in getting his initiatives on last fall's ballot, and certainly would not have sued him twice. And even now, they could simply adopt Kenley's initiatives instead of causing confusion and delay with their own. I didn't say it last night, but the meeting last night was indeed a moratorium, which means in the dictionary "delay, delay, delay." This moratorium is a way for the concil to save face and cover their assets.

I brought up the recent cutting down of the chinaberry tree at Politoville. I told Ron Polito I meant no disrespect (but I allowed myself a little humor and poetic license). The cutting of the tree is a symbol of where the council's values lie. Where many of us see a chinaberry tree, moneyists see a money tree.

I referred to the recall, saying it was a serious matter, and not at all like Horgan was portraying it. I said it was a matter of principle and not personality. I looked right at Joe and said I personally liked him but that the administration he was part of was failing to protect the Ojai I loved, and that was why we were attempting to recall him.

I ended my address by repeating that this whole meeting was a farce. It was not real. There was a deep chasm, a disconnect between words and actions. There were signs of progress but also deep problems with communication. I ended by saying "get real."

Dennis: I liked how you used the Chinaberry tree example. It was so clearly true, accurate and sad.

The only thing I really sour at is a council that perform their duties protecting Ojai so poorly that a recall petition is necessary and going forward. I observed so many transgressions by this governing body in the past few years that I felt compelled to run against
them,that eveninexperience could yield better
results than what we are now seeing.

After Sue Horgan's comments, so wildly inappropriate and so reminiscent of her "divide and deride" tactic last fall, I could only think that I'd sure like the opportunity to consider a new face for her seat as well. Anyone else think the same thing?

Joe and Sue can choose to divide and deride, and I have no doubt there is a cheering section they can drag along. But they ought to take a closer look at what they are doing. The recall proponents include lifelong Ojai residents and newbies; twentysomethings and retirees; blue collars and white collars; moms and dads, local business owners, hourly workers and commuters. In short, a cross section of just about every "type" of Ojaian.

I doubt the recall proponents will drag this into the mud. They are quite clearly a sincere group of people who care about Ojai and are looking to the future. Joe DeVito would do well to follow their lead, and focus on the issues and his beliefs and principles for the future. He ought to respect the fact that Ojai should be able to choose whether, in light of all that has happened and is happening, he is the right person for the job.

After last night's performance, it is clear Sue Horgan and Joe DeVito are choosing a different course. That's too bad. But its another reason that responsible Ojaians will sigh, maybe hold their nose - and sign the recall petition. Anyone who saw Joe last night knows he is not the right person to continue in that seat.

My impression is that there seems to be genuine confusion among some council members regarding who works for whom. Our elected officials work for the people. A significant number of their constituents have legitimate concerns. For a Council member to actually scold their constituency is astonishing.

Also astonishing: What it took to get Joe DeVito and Sue Horgan to go along with just a temporary moratorium. At the risk of sounding like Rodney Dangerfield, the people of Ojai just can't get respect: It took an initiative and a recall, and all we got was a 45 day moratorium!

Not to diminish that accomplishment. Clearly, we would not have even a temporary moratorium without the hard work of those who have put together these efforts. Keep it up, and it might just get us a good ordinance. And a new face in Joe's seat.

I suppose the good news is: at least now we know what it takes to get service around here

Except for possible anonymous tagged comments, the only City council member to show courage and give input at the OP is Rae. If there were others, I missed it. Had Joe and others engaged us, away from their podiums at the council assembly, I don't think we would be having this discussion. I was sorry to hear about Sue's comment. ?Why hasn't she come forward about this earlier, defending her colleague, at the podium? I felt that was completely inappropriate.

But this tactic is indicative of what those frustrated citizens have been dealing with for yeas: The lack of true engagement, lack of honest debate. I hope that she(Sue) gets out their and defends Joe at every civic gathering. Accepts all invitations to explain her views on the initiative, recall, development, what she holds dear of Ojai.

I honestly don't know if this recall will pass. It has been attempted before, and it did cause severe problems, but in the end, I think the city was better for it, thus I support it, the process going forward.

I'm sorry it had to get to this stage. Engagement is everything in our little democracy. When one party is being ignored, crimped from debate, eventually this disbased few will find a way to be heard.

So I encourage all those on the council to get out of their seats, be out there in front at every kind of meeting and defend Joe if you support him, and talk about all that concerns Ojai. That's all we ever wanted. For honest engagement always leads to compromise and agreements that hold together. If You the council succeed in keeping Joe on the council, it will because you fought outside of your safe zone. Step out and engage us. If this happens, I would hope both sides would keep it Civil.

I'll survive just fine if he goes or stays, if, if all is decided after a true engagement of both sides.

Where can I sign the recall petition? Thanks...