Op-Ed! Angels Camp City Council Never Apologizes?

    August 11, 2013:   Did you know that the Angels Camp Chief of Police Todd Fordahl was ordered by City Administrator Michael McHatten to forcibly remove
a member of the public from speaking at the podium during an Angels Camp City Council meeting on July 16, 2013 at the Bret Harte Theatre.

   Why wasn't the LLD District budget, about which he was attempting to ask questions, discussed at the LLD Committee meeting?

    City Attorney Derek Cole called it an informal committee and that it isn't proper for them to have the opportunity to allow the public to speak to their new $450,000 budget. Very interesting!

   Vice-Mayor Jack Lynch apologized to the person who was forcibly removed. However, Raggio and Sobon said that they agreed with the police action and would not apologize.

   Mr. Lynch made many good points. Why did the City rent that auditorium ($800) for two different meetings? Eight speakers turned up at the first meeting and only 2 at the second meeting.

     Was it to create the lighting that attempted to make those on the stage look like they had halos?

    Lynch also brought up the Brown Act, and the fact that the Council could allow more time. What this actually shows is that this City Council and its City Manager does not like anyone questioning what they are doing or how much they pay.

   The owner of the Sierra Sentinel are overwhelmingly aware of their horrid attitude toward the public.

    Our many complaints and a recent letter from Mr. McHatten acknowledged that our complaints were not only legitimate, but that even more serious problems exist within their realm.

   Very few of our questions, however, were answered. They did acknowledge in the letter than indeed the employee we had been forced to deal with (during the business day) at another business, had indeed lied.

    He had been disciplined (according to the letter) for  racial slur, (McHatten"s words) but the letter did not address the lies told to an owner of the property, or the improper advance that was rebuffed.

     And this was after McHatten demanded knowing about it. He kept asking for more and more information and details.

      We have heard about so many complaints by members of the public, many of which are not made formal due to fear of retribution from the City. We refuse to play that game1!

    Also missing from this letter was any apology whatsoever, which is what we had initially requested.  This City Council apparently NEVER apologizes!!

    Bad News!! We need a change!!