But like the other speakers, the subject of Councilwoman Espinosa, who has served on the council for six years and has often found herself on the losing side of council votes, was also addressed by speakers who urged she be made mayor or vice mayor as a move to end council bickering.“Santa Paula has a problem, it’s not functioning, it’s dysfunctional,” said Mike Miller. “People are being left out of the process and when they’re left out they get angry. . .the city is now at the point where nothing seems to get done.”Miller asked that the council work together and “move forward on some of the critical issues facing our town.”Voters showed at the polls that they wanted change, including council harmony and an end to infighting, said Martha Harris. But, the “Very first actions on Dec. 4 [the selection of mayor and vice mayor] were the opposite of what the voters had sought. . .serving the good of the community was the last thing on the majority’s mind when they took action,” especially as voters “voted for change.”“A democracy or representative government cannot thrive for long under an autocratic form of government,” said Jack Totheroh.Bob Borrego, president of Latino Town Hall, said he is tired of Santa Paula’s public controversies: “You have to think of what kind of community you want. . .if things aren’t put behind us nothing is going to change. You have within your power to do right.”“We were disappointed at the last meeting; we really believed things were going to be different,” with the election of two new council members - John Procter and Luna - who campaigned on unifying the council, said Joanne Wright.City Attorney Phil Romney accepted Aguirre’s complaint and said he would issue a written opinion on same.
Mayor, vice mayor election under fire
December 20, 2000
Santa Paula City Council
The selection of Don Johnson as Mayor and Ray Luna as Vice Mayor came under fire at the Dec. 18 City Council meeting with allegations that the Dec. 4 election had been done in violation of the Brown Act, which governs open-meetings.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe selection of Don Johnson as Mayor and Ray Luna as Vice Mayor came under fire at the Dec. 18 City Council meeting with allegations that the Dec. 4 election had been done in violation of the Brown Act, which governs open-meetings.Gabino Aguirre of Santa Paula Committee 2000, said during public comment that the council had acted to prevent citizen input and did not follow its own agenda directions as well as the Ralph M. Brown Act laws regarding public comment, first by not allowing a citizen, Martha Harris, to speak, and then twice rebuffing the attempts of Councilwoman Laura Flores Espinosa to allow public discussion before or during the selection of the mayor and vice mayor.“Santa Paula Committee 2000 continues to be disturbed by the workings of the council,” said Aguirre, who asked the council to immediately declare the selection of Johnson and Luna “null and void.”A new date should be scheduled for the elections or an explanation of how the council’s actions met the letter of the law should be given, he added.Aguirre said the city provides public comment guidelines that were ignored during the election process.Others objected to the council action that resulted in Johnson and Luna being elected to the largely ceremonial posts on a split 3-2 vote.“My concern is really for the process rather than for the individuals,” said Luz Marie Espinosa.