By Randy Economy
LCCN Staff Reporter
Norwalk-
The public will now be seen and heard on television at Norwalk City Council Meetings from this day forward.
The long standing policy of not broadcasting public oral communications on the city operated and taxpayer owned access channels is now a thing of the past.
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| Cameras Turned BACK at NORWALK CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS |
Councilman Luigi Vernola abstained from voting on the matter and wanted to get more legal opinions from outside agencies such as the Los Angeles County District Attorney and others. “I am not unopposed to lifting the ban on airing public comments; I just want more detailed legal opinions before I vote one way or the other.” Mayor Mike Mendez opposed the idea and cast the only descending vote.
The controversial ban was instituted in 2003 when several residents began challenging city council member travel expense during open meetings. The City Council at that time resulted with no residents being allowed to be “seen or heard” on the cablecast during the official “Oral Communications” portion of each meeting.
The City of Norwalk operates two cable television channels. Channel 32 is dedicated as a “Public Access Channel” that allows any member of the community to submit their own produced programs for cable broadcast. Cable channel 3 is dedicated to airing city council, planning commission, and other official city of Norwalk productions.
The controversial ban was established on November 4, 2003 when the City Council voted to cease broadcasting of the City Council and Planning Commission meetings at the completion of regular business items.
Longtime Norwalk resident and city council critic Jerry Ori urged the council to lift the communications ban immediately. “This is an open Democracy in which we all live. We need a two way communication line especially now in this new era of Bell city politics.” Ori was referring to the recent political corruption indictments that rocked the tiny city of Bell during the past year that resulted in eight city officials to be indicted on felony charges.
Ori also said that he and other residents were prepared to file a civil rights lawsuit within 30 days if the council refused to lift the ban.
Resident Bob Hoskins specifically singled out Mayor Mike Mendez for creating the ban in the first place, and cited past city council expenses from travels to Palm Springs hotels and restaurants.
“I have been treated like a dog by past city councils. Two people cannot dictate to a community of over 100,000 people. We are not going to have another Bell as long as I am around Norwalk,” said Ori.
Mary Jane McIntosh, a recent candidate for Norwalk City Council also urged the council to bring oral communication broadcasting “back to the people.”
“This is a positive move to put the people back into the city meetings. This isn’t going to end the public from criticizing our city council, everyone needs to be heard and this is more about accountability,” McIntosh claimed. She also publicly thanked Rodarte, a long time political rival, for bringing the issue forward. “We may agree to disagree on some issues, but we don’t have to be disagreeable on every single issue,” said McIntosh.
Vice Mayor Kelley said that while “people are entitled to their own opinions, the city residents are entitled to the facts.”
“I don’t have a qualm with bringing back oral communications. No one’s free speech was taken away, but I will not make a decision based upon threats,” said Kelley.
Councilman Rodarte agreed with McIntosh that “ethically and morally and legally we are obligated to take criticism. No elected official should ever fear the truth and an open dialogue with the people who elected them,” said Rodarte.
“I cannot imagine muffling anyone’s “free speech. Everything needs to be transparent. We were elected to move this city forward and to never look back,” he added.
But one of the most poignant statements came from Councilman Leonard Shyock at the end of the debate before the council vote. “We signed up for this. It is time to correct this situation once and for all.”
Mayor Mike Mendez said he opposed lifting the ban, but had “no problems” when the public criticizes him. “I just want the right to be able to respond without being threatened with lawsuits at each and every meeting,” the Mayor remarked.
Vernola asked Steve Dorsey, the City Attorney about what is considered when a resident “goes over the line” during oral communications” and asked for a legal opinion from the District Attorney. Dorsey said that the District Attorney will only enforce the open meeting laws and does not issue “legal opinions” in these types of matters.
Councilman Rodarte’s motion was passed on a 3-1-1 vote
