Comments on: ATC Meeting 9/15 – Brown Act Debate

By: Altadenan

Altadenan — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:22:36 +0000

The ATC violates the Brown Act all the time. The ATC is comprised of a clique of people who think they own Altadena. The violate the Act every time they get on the phone with each other or attend one of their silly parties or events sponsored by one of the silly organizations in town like Altadena Heritage. The ATC and their cheerleading clique do not represent the majority of people in Altadena.

By: For Altadenans

For Altadenans — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:18:34 +0000

[...] the site you will understand why I said “drama notwithstanding”. Please do dare read ATC Meeting 9/15 – Brown Act Debate. I will not add my two cents but I did find this very [...]

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:32:14 +0000

Mr Simmons,

In response to #3, the Brown act specifically prohibits electronic communication between a quorum to develop a position, whether the public has access or not. While I agree that this type of discussion board improves the transparency of local government proceedings, it can be viewed as technically against the rules as they are currently stated. I’m not worried about the intent, but the letter of the law.

As seen with our pending cell tower issue, we need faster responses to the issues at hand, and this type of website could help with that. Unfortunately, the Brown act has not kept up with technical and social developments and discourages debate outside a face-to-face public forum. Because other council members could read your opinions and develop a position away from a formal public meeting, you may inadvertently turn yourself into an “insider” and face potential litigation for operating outside what the Brown Act defines as a public meeting.

By: Reid

Reid — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:32:51 +0000

Good service – thank you for your response.

By: admin

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:17:31 +0000

I do not charge for advertising. Anyone who has a local business here in Altadena and the surrounding areas can advertise on this site at no charge.

By: Reid

Reid — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:02:05 +0000

Herbert, I am curious. The header on your webste says it is paid for by you, yet you have advertisements. Are you providing those free of charge? Sorry to post this question here, but I did not see any other more appropriate area to ask this question.

By: Steve Lamb

Steve Lamb — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:23:42 +0000

There are several recent lawsuits regarding Town Councils and the Ralph M. Brown act. These court cases have all found that Town Councils once they either get money from a governmental agency in any manner OR become a part of an approval process are subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act. The Altadena Town Council has been getting $12000 a year in “free” recording and televising of their meetings from the Board of Supervisors for some 15 years now. The Altadena Town Council has been getting free rent and meeting space first from the Altadena Library District, a governmental agency, and then the Board of Supervisors at the community center for a total of thirty seven years.

The Altadena Town Council as a place where applications go and are heard was added to the Altadena Community Statndards District as a part of that ordinance four years ago.

SOOOOOOooo “friends” the argument is moot. The Altadena Town Council meets the standards set down by the courts to have to comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act. All it will take is a lawsuit (About ten grand total) to be filed and won (a drop kick with all the local precident) and all these star chamber proceedings and secret meetings, deals ,and conspiracies will finally come to a well deserved end.

By: gloriana casey

gloriana casey — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:07:33 +0000

Yes, Holly, I do believe that trasnparency is the issue. The Pasadena Weekly comment from Andre Coleman seemed rather dramatic. I believe that as a new elected councilman that Herbert Simmons was trying to energize the community with his Student/Teacher of the Month/Year awards. This is a much needed shot in the educational arm which certainly would support the ideas of President Obama’s back to school speech. We desperately need to infuse our schools, students , and teachers with appreciation and rewards for their accomplishments. The gifted students are recognized, but not many others. We need to do more to start students on a good path with community recognition, and I’m sorry that his idea seems to be lost in this shuffle.
I have read the Brown Act, and it would be following those regulations by having a public meeting re: these charges rather than closed door sessions. Mr. Sund stated in the Weekly quote that this was a “personnel’ matter; however, Mr. Simmons is not personnel ( which , under the Act do have closed door meetings.) As an elected official, he is relying on the Brown Act for a public forum so that all of the issues can be raised. The Brown Act does say that these issues are important for the public to be a part of, and so they should be made public. I believe Mr. Simmons wants the Act to be followed so that the public can be made aware of his position. It is sad that the Weekly article seems to cast a cloud over his work. By discussing this with a public forum; the public will be able to add comments and clear up any confusions. Sadly, it is appearing in print as if Mr. Simmons is guilty of something. “using position to raise money!” Well, he returned the money as soon as he was made aware of the problem and notified his census tract members by e-mail. . He is now prodeeding alone with this project as the city council does not seem to have an interest in it. I did attend the City council meeting of 9/15/09 where a gentleman said that they didn’t have to follow the Brown Act. However, the Brown Act does not include any exceptions to any group!

I believe that Mr. Simmons hopes that the city council will support this project, and I do too. Perhaps this negative publicity will be a boon to the program. So, Holly, please keep in mind the words of John F. Kennedy, “Where there’s smoke, there’s usually a smoke making machine.” Please focus on the positive results which can be gained for the students and teachers of Altadena.

By: Holly Rundberg

Holly Rundberg — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:21:46 +0000

Herbert, is this desire for transparency related at all to the TC meeting that was held in August where they decided to go forward with an investigative committee on your Student & Teacher of the Month program? I ask because you raised this issue and when something rears it’s head it doesn’t usually happen without something powering it.

I have not heard from you or anyone concerned why this has come up?

Holly

By: Herbert Simmons

Herbert Simmons — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:55:39 +0000

Eric,

I don’t believe that a discussion on a website would qualify as a violation of the Brown Act. The Brown Act’s ultimate purpose is “to provide the public with an opportunity to monitor and participate in the decision-making processes of boards and commissions” (P. 12). Your concern would be applicable if online communications were occurring privately within a quorum regarding actions to be taken. As discussions on this website are accessible to the public, however, and encourage public input, they would be in accordance with the Brown Act and not in violation of it as you stated. Thank you for your input.