Council Members Delay Move to Censure Richard

It was yes, no and maybe on Tuesday, as five City Council members considered whether to censure their boisterous colleague Isaac Richard.

With Richard and Mayor Rick Cole exchanging withering remarks and the other council members shaking their heads in frustration, the council left the matter hanging until Aug. 11.

Before the issue was tabled, however, Cole had accused Richard of trying to wrest control of the council meetings. “Six of us are becoming co-dependents with one person abusing his authority,” Cole charged.

Richard lashed back, charging the mayor with abandoning his liberal principles. “You’ve cut your hair and started flying the Confederate flag,” Richard said.

The imbroglio had been simmering since last week’s council meeting when Richard denounced his colleagues’ support for an investigation into the Police Department’s failure to report a 911 call from the estranged wife of Police Chief Jerry Oliver.

Richard charged that the investigation amounted to “a lynching” of Oliver, who is black, and walked out, shouting at Cole: “You’re a bigot! You’re a bigot!”

According to Cole, Richard greeted him before Tuesday’s meeting with, “Heil Hitler!”

“Anyone who does not agree with you is a racist or a bigot,” Cole told Richard.

But despite apparent sentiment in favor of a censure, the issue seemed on the verge of dying Tuesday for lack of decisive action.

First, Councilman Jess Hughston moved to censure, saying that Richard had recently engaged in “anti-social behavior” and “refused to engage in an effective, courteous and cooperative relationship with this council.”

Richard was arrested two weeks ago for allegedly brandishing a gun at some teen-agers and has openly cursed several council members and city staff. Two weeks ago he apologized to Housing Administrator Phyllis Mueller for cursing her during a council meeting.

But no one would second Hughston’s motion.

Councilman William Thomson said afterward that he favored the motion but had expected Councilman William Paparian to second. Paparian said he wanted to wait until the full council was present. Councilman Chris Holden was absent Tuesday.

Richard blustered over the motion, saying that he found it difficult to be civil as he fought for justice. “The same fire burns in my heart” as in those who participated during civil disturbances in Los Angeles three months ago, he said.

During the meeting, Cole asked for a reaffirmation of his authority as chairman after Richard interrupted him.

“I’m tired of you talking on and on,” Richard said.

Richard, however, seconded a motion to acknowledge Cole’s authority in running the meetings. “I was out of order when I cut you off,” Richard said.

But Cole persisted in chastising his colleague for “a pattern of abusive behavior,” prompting Richard to walk out, saying: “If you’re going to play ‘Dump the Darkie,’ I’m leaving.”

Then, Thomson invited Hughston to reintroduce his censure motion and seconded it on condition that it be held for two weeks for a vote. Several council members said privately that sentiment is running strongly in favor of the censure.