Past Appointments By Lee Ann Garcia

Dear Gramps:

IF you look at the past appointments that Lee Ann Garcia made you'll have to agree they are interesting. First of all the appointments went to people who pledged not to run for the seat in the next election, protecting the sitting council members in their own campaigns. The people were also flash backs to the past prior members of the council and no doubt people who were not "Independent" as Mr. Hilkey suggested the appointment needs to be this time.

Lee Ann Garcia was comfortable with the appointment process when it resulted in an appointment that served her political security and network. Now only the big price tag of an election is her inducement for accepting an appointment if applications are taken and the field is open to all comers.

We have no way of calibrating Council Member Darcy McNaboe's conduct or decision making. At some points in her campaign she claimed she can work with anyone... Is she showing that she is putting her foot down, disregarding public support for Robles, that she is of a temperament that all though she "can" work with anyone she "won't". In her election she said she was a candidate that would be mindful of the financial limits of the community during this slow economy. Spending our limited funds for an election when Robles has the clear support of the community as a glimpse into the mind or motivation of our new council member. Quite frankly she is not providing many of us with much hope she has Grand Terrace as her primary focus. Let's hope she has had a week to reflect on the choices and the responsibilities she has assumed as a City Council Member.

If either of the Council Members who's term expires in 2 years, (Garcia-McNaboe, and the appointed or elected replacement) think that running in 2 years would be easier if Robles is not the appointment they are kidding themselves. While they are doing that they are also denying the public the service of a person who has a skills set to bring to the City Council that can not be found in any of the other 4 members of the council, and thus by function and capability she is "Independent" as well as has significant public support. Sylvia Robles should be the appointment to the empty seat on the City Council. We need her expertise that NONE of the existing Council Members bring to the pool of talents and expertise.

PS Thanks for the blog...