Protests ‘Dysfunctional’ Meeting

I was present Tuesday night July 30 at the Glendale City Council meeting. It was perhaps the worst city council meeting I have ever heard (and I have heard many).

One councilmember acted as if the city’s contractor and city staff were criminal suspects and he (the council person) was the prosecuting attorney. These actions in turn set off some audience members to follow suit in screeds against staff, contractors, other city councilmembers and the city clerk. Councilmembers need to be civil to each other and staff and set a good example of behavior, not act as bullies.

The meeting was completely dysfunctional. No decision was reached on either the building electrification or the bicycle plan due to 2-2 votes (one city councilmember was absent). The meeting lasted more than eight hours. Speakers were granted three minutes to talk (which was well-intentioned) but because of the huge number and late hour, many ended up not talking because they did not want to stay up until 2 in the morning. Three additional items were also postponed, even though a staff member was waiting to speak on one item.

I sent some suggestions to city council regarding code of conduct, having all councilmembers reinforce civil audience behavior, postponing controversial items until all councilmembers can be present and having more city council meetings, so they can be shorter.

I do appreciate that city councilmembers are working for very little money on our behalf. I know that they spend many hours in meetings and some spend many more hours digesting material, studying up on particular issues and communicating with residents.

I appeal to my fellow city residents to show respect towards all city councilmembers, GUSD board members, other elected officials and staff, even if you disagree with them. I am tired of the name-calling, personal attacks (including on at least one occasion a city councilmember’s family [was attacked]), interrupting of other speakers, harassing of other audience members and more. I have heard that some elected officials have received threats.

We can disagree on policy and programs but no one should be uncivil and intimidating towards others. Glendale should be better than this.

Jackie Gish
Glendale

Praises Silent Films in Two Strike Park

Thank you for your lovely article on our unique and enviable event when Joe Rinaudo hand-cranked silent films in Two Strike Park. But I was surprised to read that live music was unavailable to play during the films! 

We are so grateful to the generous Mike Dooley for stepping up these last several years to supply sound equipment, his time and wonderful movie soundtrack tunes while we wait for the show; but we did indeed have the incredible Cliff Retallick playing along with the actual movies.

Guess that just shows how good Cliff is, though, if you can’t believe live music can sound that good!

So grateful to our generous community for coming out and all their support!

Joanna Linkchorst
La Crescenta