WESTMINSTER : Councilwoman Calls Suit ‘Sour Grapes’

Councilwoman Lyn Gillespie, whose term of office was extended from two years to four, Wednesday described as “sour grapes” a lawsuit that was filed trying to block the extension.

Gillespie, 34, said the lawsuit filed by defeated 1988 council candidate Margie L. Rice and resident Grace Epperson has no merit and is merely a personal attack on her. The suit named Gillespie and three other members of the council.

“It’s certainly their right to file a lawsuit, but I really think you have to consider the source,” Gillespie said.

Rice, a member of the Westminster School District Board of Trustees, said she filed the suit as a concerned citizen, not as a disgruntled former candidate.

“Someone has to take a stand to show this council that they are to represent us, not dictate to us and take away our rights,” Rice said. “I want the courts to clarify whether or not Gillespie gets to serve two more years without a vote of the people.”

The council this week voted 3 to 1 to repeal an ordinance that limited Gillespie’s term to two years. The 1986 ordinance was passed to align the city council terms, which had three council seats open at one election and only one seat at the next. The mayor is elected every two years.

Before the ordinance was repealed, Gillespie said she was considering filing legal action challenging the constitutionality of the ordinance.

City Atty. Richard Jones, referring to an opinion handed down by the California attorney general’s office, told the council that Gillespie might have the basis for a successful lawsuit.

Gillespie, who will not be up for reelection until 1992, had strong words for Councilwoman Anita Huseth, who opposed extending her term.

“I’m really sorry that one council member decided to turn this into a personal attack because she feels her political power slipping,” Gillespie said.

Huseth said she doesn’t think the issue is over yet.

“I’ll keep supporting the people because I think they’re the only ones who have the right to elect us at the polls or unseat us by recall. It shouldn’t happen as the result of an action taken by the City Council,” Huseth said.