I Waive My Rights to Privacy
In response to the Pasadena Weekly’s article: http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/past_is_present/8151/
These past issues have been wholly resolved. I have learned much from them and as a result I am more committed than ever to helping our local youth achieve their best.
It is because of what I have learned from these past experiences that I created the Student and Teacher of the Month programs that some now appear so eager to shut down.
I have never claimed to be perfect, and I have always been open and aboveboard and eager to serve our community.
I have nothing to hide.
“Sunshine is the best disinfectant.” – Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis
I waive my rights to Privacy
As first requested in a letter dated September 18th, 2009 (see below):
I hereby waive my rights to privacy and release the ATC from liability concerning my name and accused actions brought forth against me.
I am not an employee of the Altadena Town Council. I am an elected official by the community. I request that all discussions on the allegation(s) / matter(s) be conducted in an open forum at the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 15, so that the community may learn from and participate in the process and ultimately be a part of the discussion and final decision made concerning my fate as their elected representative.
I have nothing to hide.
I have sent Public Record Requests, on November 23, (see below) for the Altadena Town Council to answer the following questions:
Who is paying for the televised recordings?
Who is paying for the room rental?
Who is paying for the office space?
The Altadena Town Council has failed to answer these questions.
I have asked the Altadena Town Council in an email to the Recording Secretary, Ruth Neilan Edwards, dated November 11th (see below), requesting all documents concerning the investigation such as the letter from Supervisor Antonovich’s office and Superintendent Diaz’s office. Edwards forwarded my request to the Chair of the Investigating Committee, Jamie Bissner, and to Chairman Gino Sund.
They failed to provide me or my attorney with these documents, yet the Altadena Blog has access to them.
I ask that everyone who reads this email or comes into the knowledge of the circumstances of it write and demand answers to Chairman Gino Sund (esund@att.net) and Recording Secretary Ruth Edwards (geolinks@mac.com) at 730 E. Altadena Dr, Altadena, CA 91001, and cc: the Pasadena Weekly (50 S. DeLacey Ave., Suite 200, Pasadena, CA 91105: kevinu@pasadenaweekly.com) and the Star-News (911 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91106: Letters.star-news@sgvn.com). Please demand an open meeting concerning the proposed removal of your elected official over the votes of the community, notate when your questions go unanswered and bring them to the meeting and ask again. It is your community.
Letter sent to the Altadena Town Council on September 18th, 2009:
Letter to the Altadena Town Council waiving my rights to privacy:
Public Records Requests:
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An e-mail from Rita Hadjimanoukian of Supervisor Mike Antonovich’s office in which she offered certificates for the Student and Teacher of the Month program:
A letter from Supervisor Mike Antonovich thanking me for Student of the Month T-shirts:
#1 by gloriana casey on December 11th, 2009
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I am very disapppointed that the Altadena Town Council has secret meetings and can decide to throw a council member out if they so choose, and yet, have no obligation to reveal any facts or reasons to the voting public. What is the value of our vote?
I am saddened that the League of Woman Voters worked so hard in trying to give Altadena citizens an actual voice in their own community by helping to create the town council; apparently you only got us lip service.
I am amazed that our elected councilman’s reputation is smeared and left to twist in the wind of a “need to know” basis. Just what are we citizens ALLOWED to know, and why are “elected” officials allowed to know and we aren’t? Or, is there really NOTHINg to know at all, and that our very questioning becomes un American?
I am flummoxed that the rest of the town council does not recognize ALL of the positiveness that Herbert Simmons has brought to this community since he took office 6 months ago. Is he perhaps setting the bar too high for those of the council who prefer to rest on their …..laurels?
It has apparently taken all of this time ( 6 months) for the council members to make a decision ( no rush to judgement here….just a slow asphyxiation) I am stymied and can not come up with a reason as to why the council still won’t support a teacher/student of the month award.
Altadena, a tale of two cities”… the best of times” for private clubs, and the “worst of times” for those who believe in due process and accountability.