ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : More Than a Little Out of Line

Youthful enthusiasm has turned into immaturity during Tustin City Councilman John Kelly’s 3 1/2-year tenure as he and his cohort, Councilman Earl J. Prescott, have continually disrupted city business. Kelly was defeated in last week’s city election; tonight’s meeting is his swan song. But he is not going quietly, as his astonishing behavior Friday at an anti-abortion demonstration at a Tustin abortion clinic showed.

Kelly had a right to participate. But like other demonstrators, he was well aware of the risk of being arrested for his cause. Despite this, he attempted to interfere with Police Chief Douglas Franks, who was overseeing the arrests of some of the demonstrators. Kelly actually ordered Franks to stop the arrests. “You still work for me,” Kelly told Franks angrily. “This is insubordination.” Franks correctly exercised his own judgment as the city’s chief law enforcement officer, and Kelly was among the 48 who were arrested for trespassing.

There is much wrong with Kelly’s conduct. First, Chief Franks doesn’t work directly for the councilman but for the city, whose council’s majority makes personnel decisions. Second, Kelly was blatantly attempting to intimidate a new police chief. Third, it was hardly insubordination to enforce the law as Franks is sworn to do.

Prescott says he will ask for an investigation by the council and the district attorney’s office into the arrest of Kelly. Both agencies should ignore his request. If there is any investigation, it ought to be of Kelly’s attempt to interfere with the police chief’s performance of his duties. Kelly, after being defeated for council, told a reporter, “I’m only 28 and I’m white and single. I’ve got a life ahead of me.” He also said he may run again for public office. If his behavior on Friday is any indication, he should take the opportunity of being out of office to do some growing up.