Just prior to Hays being appointed, Leeanne Garcia flew off into a tantrum. The Council had eliminated all of the 13 who applied. Some of which recieved a 2/2 vote. Some were given a motion which did not recieve a 2nd. Others including Schwab, Wilson, Dodd were not even given a motion. At this point Mayor Stanckiewitz asked are their any more motions? Silence. Then he asked. Are we deciding to have a 4 member council? That's it? He looked to his right and to his left looking for input. McNaboe asked can we return to a Motion on an individual? She was told NO by Council Member Garcia. Walt turned and asked about the rules.
Then apparently fearing that the Revisit to a Motion would have been to nominate Sylvia Robles, Garcia went on about how she was not going to change her vote, not be pressured, she expected respect, and ...... so forth. Walt turned away to try to put out the rant. Sandoval said to McNaboe that he would second Hays if that was possible to do. After consultation with the City Attorney it was decided that the Council could change the rules by a motion and a vote, to reconsider Hays. That motion passed with Garcia Voting NO. Then the motion was made to Appoint Hays and with a 3 to 1 vote Hays was appointed to the Council.
Leeann Garcia was so fixed that in spite of the fact that Sylvia Robles received 1700 votes in the last election, and holds the proper education and specific work experience that is needed in this city at this time, she would not vote for her under any circumstance and thought she had locked down the appointment rules to preclude the appointment of anyone she felt she had slighted her personally regardless of the needs of the community and council. You saw her act on a personal level, not a professional level tonight. Joining Garcia in a NO vote for Sylvia Robles Appointment was Darcy McNaboe. Stanckiewitz and Sandoval voted Yes for Sylvia Robles.
Gene Hays, may well be the 2nd or 3rd or 4th vote. But, Garcia was not interested in compromise she was intent on making sure as sure as she could that Sylvia Robles was not seated and if that took leaving the seat empty she was content with that outcome.
Walt did nothing other than to ask a question. What do we tell these 13 people who have applied? We can't do our jobs in selecting one from this pool of applicants? He may have been looking at either Sandoval or Garcia when he made that statement, but he quickly turned to face McNaboe with the same open Question. Garcia chose to take his comment as a personal injury, and she had to control herself by looking out into the audience at a face of some one she respected. Thus saying Stanckiewitz. I don't respect you, I will not converse with you look you in the eye. This from a person who said she could get along with 3 people on the council. Garcia voted NO for Hays.
It is a good thing that there is a 5th man on the council. Clearly there needs to be a offset for when Garcia becomes offended, be it from a citizen or a fellow council member.
Hays will take the oath of office at the Jan 13 Special Meeting regarding the Park Grant Workshop.
