Oh Ms. Maggie Healy, really? A "premier" business in this city is suing a Council Member so you've appointed yourself judge, jury and executioner? And you're an attorney so I understand? Why aren't you mentioning another "deep pockets" developer who funded a lawsuit with two residents named as Plaintiffs, alleging wrongdoing that included Mr. Nehrenheim, too, as well as the Mayor? Could it be because The Mayor, Council Member Nehrenheim and the two other Defendants PREVAILED during both the original trial and then also won on appeal? Could it be because people you know owe a judgment of approximately $900,000 to the attorneys of Council Member Nehrenheim and his co-defendants? The court of public opinion sometimes becomes mired in salacious claims and allegations without substance, detail or evidence. To hurl further accusations and then also infer that somehow the City Attorney is advising contrary to decisions made by the Mayor and Council is absurd, as is your implication that they are not following rules, policies or guidelines. Quite frankly, if the City Attorney agreed with you, I'm quite certain he would be adamant with vocal admonishment and outright advice with words such as, "NO, YOU CANNOT DO THAT! IT'S NOT LEGAL. IT'S NOT ETHICAL. YOU'D BE PLACING US AT VERY HIGH RISK!" I don't believe I've ever heard the City Attorney express anything close to what you allege about the conduct or decisions of the Mayor or anyone on this current City Council.
Where was your indignation over the $9 million approved by the previous Council to prematurely purchase the Fun Factory lease? The City, for no good reason, had to pay $9 million, plus another few million to fund that debt, and has lost around $4 million in revenue as a result of THAT decision. But hey, yeah, millions of taxpayer dollars flittered away needlessly don't seem to concern you compared to an $18,000 expense to plant trees and beautify a public park, when that work is done by people you don't seem to care for.
Good evening Mayor and Council,
Last week, a resident, via public comment, blew the whistle on the President of South Bay Parkland Conservancy, who was appointed by the Mayor to be a Recreation and Parks Commissioner, and who is apparently using his appointed position to funnel City money to his private company. I’m told that the City staff and attorney are investigating this apparent self-dealing and that is good. I hope the results of that investigation can be made public because the people deserve an explanation and appropriate corrective action.
Next we have our District 1 Councilman Nehrenheim, endorsed by our Mayor, who is being sued by one of the premier businesses in his district for trespassing, causing a disturbance, and violating civil rights. Yet another example of one of our public officials abusing his office as if he doesn’t have to follow the same rules as everyone else.
District 4 Councilman Obagi was heartily endorsed by Mayor Brand. But just last year, Mr. Obagi was found by a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, in Case No. BC700046, to have breached his fiduciary duty of loyalty to his client. In his statement of decision, the judge also said that Mr. Obagi unjustly enriched himself from his client’s funds. Now, this man is sitting on City Council, about to make decisions about how to spend City money.
In my 30 years of government service, I have NEVER had a deeper worry and concern for our City then I do now. You all are about to decide how our public funding will be spent and which projects to prioritize, but given the information we now have, how can the citizens trust that the majority on Council will make decisions that are in the best interest of the City and not serve their personal agendas or special interests?
Mayor and councilmembers Nehrenheim and Obagi, I feel it is necessary to remind you that there are rules and policies that create guidelines that you need to follow. The City Attorney and staff are well versed in these guidelines, so please listen to them. The public is watching carefully and we will hold you to the highest standard of ethical behavior when it comes to your decisions on Council.
Thank you.
Oh Ms. Maggie Healy, really? A "premier" business in this city is suing a Council Member so you've appointed yourself judge, jury and executioner? And you're an attorney so I understand? Why aren't you mentioning another "deep pockets" developer who funded a lawsuit with two residents named as Plaintiffs, alleging wrongdoing that included Mr. Nehrenheim, too, as well as the Mayor? Could it be because The Mayor, Council Member Nehrenheim and the two other Defendants PREVAILED during both the original trial and then also won on appeal? Could it be because people you know owe a judgment of approximately $900,000 to the attorneys of Council Member Nehrenheim and his co-defendants? The court of public opinion sometimes becomes mired in salacious claims and allegations without substance, detail or evidence. To hurl further accusations and then also infer that somehow the City Attorney is advising contrary to decisions made by the Mayor and Council is absurd, as is your implication that they are not following rules, policies or guidelines. Quite frankly, if the City Attorney agreed with you, I'm quite certain he would be adamant with vocal admonishment and outright advice with words such as, "NO, YOU CANNOT DO THAT! IT'S NOT LEGAL. IT'S NOT ETHICAL. YOU'D BE PLACING US AT VERY HIGH RISK!" I don't believe I've ever heard the City Attorney express anything close to what you allege about the conduct or decisions of the Mayor or anyone on this current City Council.
Where was your indignation over the $9 million approved by the previous Council to prematurely purchase the Fun Factory lease? The City, for no good reason, had to pay $9 million, plus another few million to fund that debt, and has lost around $4 million in revenue as a result of THAT decision. But hey, yeah, millions of taxpayer dollars flittered away needlessly don't seem to concern you compared to an $18,000 expense to plant trees and beautify a public park, when that work is done by people you don't seem to care for.
Good evening Mayor and Council,
Last week, a resident, via public comment, blew the whistle on the President of South Bay Parkland Conservancy, who was appointed by the Mayor to be a Recreation and Parks Commissioner, and who is apparently using his appointed position to funnel City money to his private company. I’m told that the City staff and attorney are investigating this apparent self-dealing and that is good. I hope the results of that investigation can be made public because the people deserve an explanation and appropriate corrective action.
Next we have our District 1 Councilman Nehrenheim, endorsed by our Mayor, who is being sued by one of the premier businesses in his district for trespassing, causing a disturbance, and violating civil rights. Yet another example of one of our public officials abusing his office as if he doesn’t have to follow the same rules as everyone else.
District 4 Councilman Obagi was heartily endorsed by Mayor Brand. But just last year, Mr. Obagi was found by a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, in Case No. BC700046, to have breached his fiduciary duty of loyalty to his client. In his statement of decision, the judge also said that Mr. Obagi unjustly enriched himself from his client’s funds. Now, this man is sitting on City Council, about to make decisions about how to spend City money.
In my 30 years of government service, I have NEVER had a deeper worry and concern for our City then I do now. You all are about to decide how our public funding will be spent and which projects to prioritize, but given the information we now have, how can the citizens trust that the majority on Council will make decisions that are in the best interest of the City and not serve their personal agendas or special interests?
Mayor and councilmembers Nehrenheim and Obagi, I feel it is necessary to remind you that there are rules and policies that create guidelines that you need to follow. The City Attorney and staff are well versed in these guidelines, so please listen to them. The public is watching carefully and we will hold you to the highest standard of ethical behavior when it comes to your decisions on Council.
Thank you.