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Monday, September 22, 2014

A Still Small Voice Has Spoken, Yet Some Are Past Feeling That They No Longer Feel the Words

September 18, 2014 City Council Meeting began with what can be described as the Feel Good…..Opening Exercise which I call the Public Relations Segment. Before getting into the details of the hot button issue I must say I was most moved by The Boy Scout, Alex CUTLER, who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America. His demeanor (Humble)…..His appearance (Clean and Wholesome)…..His genuine sincerity (Expressed Innocence)…..The act of Service this young man conveyed (Being a good example)…..Describes what he caused me to feel….. The heart felt love of country and what it stands for.  Thank you.

The SERIOUS Business side of the Council Meeting…..was likened unto the voice of Thunder…..A call to consider approval of a resolution re-appointing Brad Young as the Administrative Law Judge.(Hear City Cases) In comparison to an Honorable Boy Scout…..The gall of the Mayor and City Attorney, to entertain and justify this Agenda Item…..Smelled of Chicago Politics. (City Attorney “Attorney’s like to pick their judge”.) Is that happening here?
This is not intended to reflect on Honorable Brad Young…..But on the Institution of City Government…..Where it appears that a number of key…..Elected and Appointed individuals have gone Past Feeling (Knowing Right from Wrong or Good from Evil)  that they no longer Feel the Words (From a Still Small Voice)…..I am of course referring to the circumstances and conditions that led to a Class Action Law Suit filed against the City…..The disturbing, tainted image OUR CITY has come to be associated with…..As it is applied to Code Enforcement.
Tonight we heard Councilman Almquist say…..When considering re-appointing Brad Young….. “It is logical to do”(Who benefits?) We even heard the Mayor say…..When considering Young’s past history and involvement in City Code Enforcement “that’s why he is qualified to serve”. (Rather short sighted). NO MENTION of the Role Mr. Young played in the investigation of allegations of wrong doing by Councilman Almquist.
Absolutely No consideration given to RIGHTEOUS BEHAVIOR.
If it were not for Councilwoman Randall and Councilman Bowcutt having the courage to question the wisdom of re-appointment by seeking the answer to pertinent scenarios you would have thought the City’s value system had gone to Hell in a hand basket. (Both voted NO).
Mr. Almquist who has been named in allegations of wrong doing….. You’d have thought would have moved to recuse himself from voting on any motion bearing upon his past association with the Honorable Mr. Young and Code Enforcement.  (Has he gone deaf?)  Had he done so the Mayor would have had to cast deciding vote. Instead he voted Yes.
As to Councilman Hughes he appears to remain lost in the Field of Property Rights and therefore is unable to see the forest for the trees….. Appearing aimless in trying to understand and appreciate the need for Code Enforcement. He does however appear intent in representing his constituents and his personal interest and I was not surprised to see him vote with Councilman Almquist in favor of Young, who in all fairness judging from what was said is seeking for a way to terminate his service to the City. My hat is off to Mr. Young for his candor in writing his report on the allegation of wrong doing by Councilman Almquist. (Given enough time Jimmie may still find his way).
It was nice to see Councilwoman Arial return to the Council Chamber, who appeared to me to have returned in time to carry the water for Mayor Pike…..Content to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor.   Councilwoman Arial put forth the motion to re-appoint Brad Young and voted with Almquist and Hughes. (What a disappointment).
As a side note it was interesting to see City Manager Esplin position himself on this issue by stating he was “Seeking Direction” from the City Council.  Well he got it and look who he got it from. (Woe is me).
Councilperson Randall and Bowcutt should know I am grateful they are able to hear that Still Small Voice. I am also grateful to that young Boy Scout who proudly performed a service by being a good example to all of us.  
Thank you, Ed Baca

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