I am accused of engaging in bullying and intimidation during a closed session meeting of City Council. I have received legal advice that I cannot clarify the substance of what was discussed in closed session.  To do so would violate the Brown Act.  I can however provide a limited statement that does not disclose the substance of our discussions.   

First, the proponents of the recall were not present during closed session.  Their assertions are not a reliable source of what transpired in closed session.  The proponents would not be allowed to provide testimony concerning what transpired during closed session in any court of law.

The City Council was summoned into closed session on my first day as a councilmember.   Before staff even had a chance to start their presentation about the subject matter of closed session, two councilmembers immediately engaged in a verbal assault on Mayor Stix.  I was extremely disappointed that instead of engaging with a collegial attitude we were immediately engaged in the hate speech that had surrounded the November 2022 election.  I believed that the accusations made against the Mayor had no basis in fact or law.  My response was in defense of the Mayor, who was being bullied and intimidated.

I am not proud that I used somewhat-course language in my response.  In fact, I know intellectually that using course language is detrimental to any effort to be persuasive.  Furthermore, although I gave no consideration to gender when I responded to the Mayor’s attackers, I know that any verbal aggression towards the opposite gender can be perceived as gender based.  I want to assure the public that my response was not gender based.  I acted instinctively to the defense of a victim of bullying.  I also want to apologize to the public for failing to keep my cool during what I perceived to be a serious injustice and breach of decorum.  I have made a concerted effort since that first meeting to avoid confrontation.

This unfortunate exchange should have remained a private matter.  I have attempted to treat it that way.  I spoke privately to Councilmember Lang, Mayor Stix, Mayor Pro Tem Francina, City Manager James Vega and City Attorney Mathew Summers shortly after the incident to make this same apology.  Importantly, Mayor Pro Tem Francina thanked me for calling, responded that I didn’t “need to apologize…”  that she “forgets about what is said in closed session as soon as she leaves the meeting.”  She said “I was surprised that it was brought up again.”

That is how it should be.  Discuss the City’s legal options in closed session.  If there are any differences of opinion, then feel safe that you can discuss your views confidentially.  If differences arise then keep those differences to yourself when closed session is over.

The proponents of my recall were not able to sell their built-out, built-up, real estate speculator’s dream to Ojai voters in the November 2022 election.  Nearly 60% of voters preferred my approach to growth, which includes retaining Ojai’s small-town character while still allowing growth that is thoughtful, compatible, incremental, and achieves the goal of providing affordable housing to existing Ojai residents.   Since the proponents of the recall haven’t won your vote (or my support) they are trying to destroy your trust in me. 

Say no to the nasty politics and please don’t sign the recall petition.