Mayor Pat Burns’ repeated heckling and silencing of residents at City Council meetings undermines the U.S. Constitution which he is sworn to defend. Huntington Beach deserves leaders who listen, not bully.
In Huntington Beach, we often boast of being “Surf City, USA” a community known for its independence, civic engagement, and hometown pride. But lately, that proud legacy has been overshadowed by something deeply troubling: the erosion of civility and the abuse of power from the city’s own leadership.
As a nonpartisan elected school board member, I have spent years working with parents, teachers, and community members across the political spectrum. I believe strongly that every person, regardless of their views, has the right to be heard. That belief is foundational to our democracy. But what I have witnessed in recent months at Huntington Beach City Council meetings makes it clear that this right is under siege.
A City Council That Punishes Speech
Mayor Pat Burns, a former police officer who now presides over the council meetings, has repeatedly cut public speakers off mid-sentence, arbitrarily reduced speaking time, and heckled residents who dare to criticize his policies. These aren’t isolated moments of impatience; they represent a troubling pattern of behavior that chills public participation and undermines the democratic process.
On October 7th, during a public council meeting, Mayor Burns once again mocked and insulted members of the public who came forward to share their views, even after previously being admonished for similar misconduct and warned under threat of litigation by a resident. Rather than learning from that experience, the mayor seems emboldened to continue weaponizing his position against those he views as political opponents.
It is not just the heckling or the name-calling, as disturbing as that is. It’s the message it sends: that only voices in agreement with the council majority will be treated with respect. When an elected official uses the power of the gavel to silence or humiliate constituents, it sends a chilling signal to others that speaking up comes with personal risk.
Free Speech Is Not a Privilege, It’s a Right
Ironically, many of these same officials wrap themselves in the rhetoric of “free speech,” declaring themselves defenders of the First Amendment when it suits their agenda. But true commitment to free expression means defending it even, and especially, for those with whom you disagree.
We cannot claim to value freedom of speech while mocking or muzzling residents who exercise it. The First Amendment is not partisan property. It belongs equally to conservatives, progressives, and independents alike. And when those in power abuse the rules of public meetings to silence critics, they betray not only their oath of office, but the very principles our democracy depends on.
Public Service Requires Humility, Not Hubris
Those of us who hold public office, whether on a city council or a school board, are servants of the people. We are entrusted with the responsibility to represent all voices in our community, not just the ones that praise us. That means creating an environment where the public can safely and respectfully share their views, even when those views make us uncomfortable.
At the Ocean View School District, where I serve, we regularly hear from parents and residents with passionate, sometimes opposing opinions. But we uphold one standard: everyone deserves respect. Our meetings are structured to foster dialogue, not domination. Because when leaders act with integrity, people trust the process, even when they disagree with the outcome.
Sadly, that trust has now eroded in Huntington Beach at City Hall. Residents who once felt proud to speak at city council meetings now describe fear, disgust, and humiliation. Instead of focusing on solving the city’s real problems, like public safety, environmental protection, and quality of life, too many meetings have devolved into performances of partisanship and personal attacks.
This Is Bigger Than Politics
This is not a partisan issue. It’s an ethical one. Every elected official, regardless of ideology, should be outraged by the abuse of power on display. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or independent, the basic right to address your government without harassment is sacred. It is the bedrock of local democracy.
When leaders use mockery as a weapon, or silence as a shield, they corrode public trust. And once that trust is gone, it’s not easily rebuilt. Huntington Beach residents deserve better — leaders who listen, not lecture; who debate policy, not demean people.
A Call for Decency and Accountability
Mayor Burns and his allies on the council must be reminded: the microphone belongs to the people, not the politicians. The dais is not a stage for self-congratulation, nor a platform for retaliation. It is a place of public service, a place where civility, fairness, and transparency should be non-negotiable.
Democracy cannot survive when only the loudest or most powerful voices are heard. Huntington Beach should once again be a model for civic engagement, but only if we restore respect to the public square and hold accountable those who have forgotten that their power comes from the people.
Gina Clayton-Tarvin is the clerk and five-time president of the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees currently serving her fourth term. She is a 29-year classroom teacher and labor union leader in nearby ABC Unified School District. She speaks four languages and is a dual citizen of Italy and the United States of America. She is a longtime resident of Huntington Beach, and has two sons attending local public schools.
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