PORT HUENEME : Official Criticized for Proposed Forum
A rift between the Port Hueneme City Council and its newest member widened this week, when an invitation by Councilwoman Toni Young misfired and instead elicited a round of rebukes.
Young, elected last fall, is the only council member who has served less than seven years. She previously drew her colleagues’ ire when she pushed for television coverage of council meetings and allowed reporters to read a staff memo on budget cuts.
At a council meeting Wednesday, Young invited council members to join her at a community forum she has scheduled for Jan. 11 at Bard Elementary School. Young held a similar meeting Sept. 14 at Hueneme Elementary School.
The response was anything but gracious, as three council members took turns criticizing Young for using city staff and creating the impression the forums were sponsored by the city.
“If people are interested (in city business), they should be here when we meet twice a month,” Mayor Orvene Carpenter said. “My feeling is, if they’re not here, they’re satisfied with what we’re doing.”
Councilman Ken Hess questioned whether City Manager John R. Velthoen should have attended Young’s first meeting.
“I think it’s inappropriate for one individual to prevail on city staff for their own purposes,” Hess said.
Councilman James Daniels also criticized Young’s meetings as needless.
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