Here is another roundup of some of the most thought-provoking reader comments of the week. Click on each topic’s headline to see the article in question. Comments are selected by our editors and subject to editing for grammar, spelling, clarity and length.
The Charter Mess
“The city is throwing its clerk under the bus in one of the most cowardly moves I’ve seen as a litigator,” said John Stephens, an attorney and Costa Mesa resident. This was said [in court] at 5 p.m. yesterday [March 27].
By 11 a.m. today, [City Clerk] Julie Folcik was placed on administrative leave.
And the city still wants to appeal Judge Miller’s ruling?
Fearless prediction: We Costa Mesans are in for a rough nine months in city government.
— Centercut / March 28
Interesting they are throwing Folcik under the bus.
Contract City Attorney [Thomas] Duarte was in the city clerk’s office helping oversee submittal of election materials the afternoon of March 9, when the city was due to file with the OC registrar. If anyone would be expected to know all the rules, wouldn’t that be the city attorney? Why is he unscathed in all this?
And what about [City Councilman Jim] Righeimer? He was there, too.
— La Femme / March 28
Twenty-five thousand dollars a week to [law firm] Jones Day, and they already blew through it. Now they come back for seconds, and the council gives it to them.
And the best thing that Jones Day can come up with is a personal attack against the petitioner [City Clerk Julie Folcik], whom they are representing.
Now they squeal for an appeal, for which we are footing the bill and will most likely lose.
What’s the definition of insanity?
— Gericault / March 28
When, oh, when will “transparent” City Hall actually live up to its advertising?
They twisted themselves a dozen different ways to get around the Brown Act. Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t, but who’s going to spend the money to sue? There’s no big state policeman in the sky to pounce on these slick characters.
— Flaming Realist / March 29
Interim Auditor-Controller Bails Out
Mr. [Shaun] Skelly [interim county auditor-controller] was blindsided by certain board members. If they wanted to meet with him, the auditor’s office is a short five-minute walk to the building next door.
He’s doing the right thing by leaving the “Animal Farm” of county government. Run, don’t walk, off of this sinking ship of incompetence, Shaun. Good move, and don’t look back.
— Modjeskawater / March 29
Good for Skelly.
These nincompoops are supervisors, not micromanagers. They want to interview him themselves?
— Moonunit / March 29
What’s Wrong With a Homeless Shelter?
[Using an abandoned bus station as a homeless shelter] is a great idea! The Santa Ana Civic Center is homeless central anyway, so they wouldn’t have to move too far. It has bathrooms and is covered for when it rains but is open so police can do regular patrols to control the criminal element.
It’s right across the street from where they already serve several meals a day and provide all the homeless services.
[Board of Supervisors Chairman John] Moorlach is thinking out of the box on this one. It could work.
— Al Simmons / March 23
People who are homeless will be in the area anyway. Why is it a bad idea to give shelter to the countless number of people who already sleep outside in that general area?
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)
— Certainpeace / March 27
Banned Elephant Rides
I think the Fair Board is missing the whole point by a wide margin.
Where else can people young and old be able to get up close to these beautiful animals and enjoy a lifelong and memorable experience? This exhibit and “ride,” if you choose, has had zero problems in the 25 years it has operated at the OC Fair and other venues as well.
The reason why Have Trunk Will Travel has such a pristine record is because these large animals are their family and are treated and respected by all of the handlers and their owners. All one has to do is to see the expression and smiles on the faces when they are enjoying their time with these magnificent animals.
Bad decision, OC Fair Board!
— Goombah / March 26
You are missing the point of the [Fair] Board’s decision and putting your happiness and experiences ahead of abused animals.
These elephants were ripped from their families in the wild when they were babies, beaten their entire lives with bullhooks, shocked with tasers and live the majority of their lives shackled in chains like modern-day slaves.
I hope and pray that you find compassion in your hearts and souls for the downtrodden and innocent and evolve enough in this lifetime to realize that our happiness and experiences are no more important than all the other living beings on our planet.
— Lorraine / March 27