Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/sandy-genis/)
Two former political allies-turned-foes running for Costa Mesa mayor, Sandy Genis and Katrina Foley, sparred at a political debate Monday evening, where moderators pressed the councilwomen to explain a late-night vote last year when Genis and two other council members stripped Foley of her title as mayor.
Faced with criticism from residents, council members cut out “unduly repetitive” comments as an example of behavior that could get a public speaker kicked out of a meeting – and potentially charged criminally.
The ordinance, under consideration by Costa Mesa City Council, would ban “unduly repetitive” public comments. Councilwomen Wendy Leece and Sandy Genis call it an attempt to restrict Mayor Jim Righeimer’s critics.
Activists say the city has spent more than $250,000 on the event and refuses to disclose the contracts.
As a city investigation into the finances of Costa Mesa’s 60th anniversary event continues, questions are being raised about payments to an event company co-owned by Orange County Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh.
The two Costa Mesa councilmen, members of the majority, are appointed mayor and mayor pro tem respectively. Some residents wanted posts to be divided between council voting blocs.
In a forum that billed itself as hardball, journalists questioned Costa Mesa City Council candidates about the city’s proposed charter, outsourcing and rancor in the city’s public discourse.
Residents complain that a transparency ordinance for labor negotiations still leaves other city dealings in the dark.
Residents and city leaders don’t like the idea of toll lanes and worry about the construction’s impact on neighborhoods.
Residents questioned why city leaders deviated from usual procedure by not declaring the special meeting’s starting time.