WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR RECALLING AN LB CITY COUNCIL MEMBER?
By LBReport.com
LONG BEACH (via LBReport.com)—In 2003, California voters who were angry over a number of issues did what political “experts” considered impossible: they recalled the state’s recently elected governor. Gray Davis.
During the past few weeks in Long Beach, some voters angry over the tactics of 7th district City Council member James Johnson in the redrawing of the boundaries that define the 7th and 8th districts, have been rumbling about a recall.
But what is required to recall a City Council member in Long Beach?
As indicated in the statutory sections compiled and published on LBReport.com, proponents of a Long Beach City Councilmember’s recall must first comply with pre-signature-gathering statutory requirements. After meeting those requirements, voters must collect the signatures of at least 20 percent of their Council district’s registered voters in legally valid form on legally valid petitions and submit them within 120 days.
The most-recent data from the Long Beach City Clerk shows that there are 26,322 registered voters in the 7th district. Collecting the valid signatures of 20 percent of them—on petitions that must be circulated by 7th district registered voters—would require collecting a minimum of 5,265 voters in the 7th district within 120 days.
But that comes only after satisfying the following statutory requirements in the California Government Code sections.
47 Comments
What specific “tactics” are “some voters” angry with Councilmember Johnson about? If they dislike that he offered his re-districting proposal after public comment during the Council session, then they should be equally “angry” with Councilmember Gabelich who did the very same thing during the very same meeting.
Recall? I rather doubt enough voters in Long Beach could muster the political will to accomplish such an unprecedented feat. Remember former LBUSD Board Member Michael Shane Ellis? He was on active criminal probation and actually had a warrant for his arrest and his constituents STILL could not muster the political will required to do what was necessary to recall him.
Senor, this is about much more than his attempts to propose redistricting. Hopefully, he is just one of the members that need to leave at the request of their constituents–unlike you most of us do not like the antics of this Council.
The truth is that those of us watching from the other side of town think Kowal and Gabelich and friends are being overly dramatic, and overestimating their popularity. Johnson did nothing wrong.
@ Lydia, if your comments were directed toward me, I can assure you that there is much that this Council engages in, and much about the manner in which they do so, with which I stongly disagree. As for a recall, sorry but I just do not see that happening, with Johnson or any other current member of the Council.
so let me get this straight, after spending literally YEARS bemoaning the inactivity of LB voters greet is against it when they attempt to exercise their rights? one wonders why.
@ howardx: Please specifiy anywhere in my comments where I have indicated I am against voters attempting to exercise their rights.
You can see how little experience Greet has with actually leading the community to seek change from their government. On one hand he thinks (wrongly) that people can just snap their fingers and supporters will come running and on the other hand no-one join-in. He says disparaging things about people he knows nothing about (those considering a recall) , isn’t that disrespectful of those seeking change in their government.
“As to time to mobilize support…really? As I recall, it took less than a day to mobilize a great number of supporters for a very public demonstration at Studebaker and Loynes when Hitchcock thought he could start developing a portion of the wetlands without anyone else noticing.” Phone calls, emails, texts, tweets, Facebook, etc, etc. Tell me those opposed to the 2nd/PCH project as currently proposed couldn’t have a considerable number of supporters in a public meeting on the matter within 24 hours or less if they truly needed to.”July 12 LBREPORT.COM GETS ANSWERS FROM CITY STAFF … WITH PUSH FROM DELONG
“Recall? I rather doubt enough voters in Long Beach could muster the political will to accomplish such an unprecedented feat. Remember former LBUSD Board Member Michael Shane Ellis? He was on active criminal probation and actually had a warrant for his arrest and his constituents STILL could not muster the political will required to do what was necessary to recall him.”
It’s a first: I agree with Mr. Greet.
@ janis: Hyper-generalizations and over-simplifications of what I think or believe serve no constructive purpose. Nor does speaking dismissively as is often your habit where I am concerned.
I have never claimed to be a leader. But I have been involved in many community efforts over the years to one degree or another. It is not my intent to diminsh the difficulty of mobilizing anyone on a given issue, only to point out that it is not nearly as difficult to do so as some like to imply.
I have nothing but the utmost repect for the relative minority in our community who seek constructive change in government. I am among them, and have been for many years. We all play our parts to work toward that constructive change.
I do not presume to dismiss, diminish, or denigrate your efforts. Why do you seek to do so with mine?
My comments had nothing to do with those seeking to organize a recall but, rather, with the majority of the electorate that would be necessary for such a such an effort to succeed.
Perhaps you can appreciate the difference.
Greet: “only to point out that it is not nearly as difficult to do so as some like to imply.”
Except when Greet himself is implying it -
““As to time to mobilize support…really? As I recall, it took less than a day to mobilize a great number of supporters for a very public demonstration at Studebaker and Loynes when Hitchcock thought he could start developing a portion of the wetlands without anyone else noticing.” Phone calls, emails, texts, tweets, Facebook, etc, etc. Tell me those opposed to the 2nd/PCH project as currently proposed couldn’t have a considerable number of supporters in a public meeting on the matter within 24 hours or less if they truly needed to.”July 12 LBREPORT.COM GETS ANSWERS FROM CITY STAFF … WITH PUSH FROM DELONG”
Sorry got to go you circular arguments bore me.
@ janis: You seem to be an intelligent person, so I have to presume that you are intentionally misunderstanding some of the things I have said and for no other reason than to then seek to denigrate me for your own misperceptions.
It is very difficult to have a constructive dialog when someone behaves as you have here.
Be well!
Greet you seem to like words, lots of words, perhaps if you were more precise in your use of them you would not be so “misunderstood”. I have no “misperceptions” about either you or your biased uninformed fact-less illogical circular pedantic lectures. As such, I am taking your last comment the PRESUMPTION of my misunderstanding …as by your own words as a comment without evidence or facts, and when considering that this was made by former police officer this is somewhat troublesome.
presume vs. assume.
Presume: To assert that something is true without complete evidence; to decide something without absolute certainty.
Assume: On the other hand acknowledges that not all evidence was in, but to act as though something were true.
Greet: “@ janis: You seem to be an intelligent person, so I have to presume that you are intentionally misunderstanding some of the things I have said and for no other reason than to then seek to denigrate me for your own misperceptions.”
Let’s see, in this thread, “janis” posted 535 words while fixating in a negative manner solely upon “Greet’s” comments.
“Greet” posted 437 words while commenting in a constructive way upon the article and responding directly to comments directed toward him from three different people.
And yet it is “janis” who accuses “Greet” of imprecision? Hmm…I wonder if “janis” truly understands the meaning of that particular word?
Yes, I think “janis” definitely wins the word count wars here! And all while supposedly being “bored.” Good job, “janis”! How proud you must be!
I want to see a complete income and expense report for the Los Cerritos Improvement Association that Kowal and his clique run in BIXBY Knolls. That organization seems somewhat suspicious.
For further evidence that having NO background knowledge or understanding of ANY facts on a subject matter ever dissuades John Greet from commenting, read the comments on the current Greater Long Beach article regarding Rene Castro’s re-election on an Advisory Committee.
John Greet’s comment: “Sincere congratulations to Ms. Castro and all of the other electees!”
Rene Castro happens to be a man. However Greet doesn’t prevent small details such as this from scolding other people to get their facts straight. What a hypocrite.
Thank you very much for the correction. I have never met Mr. Castro and the article concerning his re-election did not mention gender. My sincere apologies to Mr. Castro for the inadvertent error, however, the congratulations were entirely sincere.
@ janis: Boy, for someone who insists upon taking me to task for the number of words I use, you sure do use a lot of words. Perhaps you should consider being less hostile, more courteous, and concentrate more on improving your understanding, and less on counting words.
Greet, does your congratulations to a woman who happens to be a man fall in the catagory of “improving your understanding?”
You should consider walking the talk before administering advice. What a hypocrite you are.
Mr. Ruehle could benefit from some basic instruction in the difference between an honest mistake (which is what I committed, apoligized for doing so, and then willingly corrected the record) and intentionally posting false, fraudulent, and misleading comments (which is what he so often commits and then refuses to either acknowledge or correct the record.)
75 people putting up $100 each would pay for 7,500 signatures to be collected. Wonder if the greet is too busy gluttonizing his sorry carcass at his second public trough to get in on this action. He could spew his bullshit and actually get paid for it!
And I wonder why you, Mr. wrong, always try so very hard to out-crass, out-insult, and out-juvenile your comment colleague, Ruehle.
At some point I really hope you mature enough, emotionally, to try to hold your own in the arena ideas without resorting to such nonsense.
Anyone else notice that Greet tries to hold the moral authority on meaningful discussion, manners, logic and his “facts”? Starting with GLT’s predecessor, The District Weekly, I’ve been trying to figure out Greet
s thinking. Last week I saw this heartbreaking video by Ron Thomas a former Sheriff’s deputy who’s son was beaten to death by Fullerton police, and now it all make perfect sense.
Arrests for “contempt of cop” may stem from a type of “occupational arrogance” when a police officer thinks he or she should not be challenged or questioned.
What is “Contempt of Cop?” Posted by Travis Kiger in The Crime Beat, Union Goons on July 15th, 2011, Here’s an explanation from Ron Thomas, the former sheriff’s deputy who’s son was beaten to death by Fullerton police last week. http://www.fullertonsfuture.org/2011/what-is-contempt-of-cop/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_cop
Contempt of cop is law enforcement jargon in the United States for behavior by citizens towards law enforcement officers that the officers perceive as disrespectful or insufficiently deferential to their authority.[1][2][3][4] The phrase is associated with arbitrary arrest and detention and is often discussed in connection to police misconduct such as use of excessive force or even police brutality[5] as a reaction to disrespectful behavior[6] rather than for any legitimate law enforcement purpose.[7]
Arrests for “contempt of cop” may stem from a type of “occupational arrogance” when a police officer thinks he or she should not be challenged or questioned.[8] From such officers’ perspective, “contempt of cop” may involve perceived or actual challenges to their authority, including a lack of deference (such as by asserting one’s constitutional rights[citation needed]), disobeying instructions,[9] or expressing interest in filing a complaint against the officer.[7] Flight from the police is sometimes considered a variant of “contempt of cop”.[10] “Contempt of cop” situations may be exacerbated if other officers witness the allegedly contemptuous behavior.[11]
Charges such as disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and assaulting an officer may be cited as official reasons for a “contempt of cop” arrest.[7] Obstructing an officer or failure to obey a lawful order is also cited in “contempt of cop” arrests in some jurisdictions, particularly as a stand-alone charge without any other charges brought.[12][13]
@ janis: The premise from which you have begun, here, is faulty. I do not seek to establish or hold moral authority over anyone. I simply desire that the discussions in which I choose to participate remain, meaningful, constructive, productive, courteous, respectful and factual. The degree to which a discussion departs from those is usually the degree to which I sometimes take exception.
Perhaps, rather than trying to construct various flawed analyses of how you believe I think or why, or wasting time fixating upon how many words I choose to use, you should simply try to ask yourself why some others here seem unable to offer information without slanting or falsifying it.
Perhaps you should ask why some others here cannot seem to address others without also offering insult.
Perhaps you should ask yourself why some here refuse to participate in these discussions in a manner that might actually result in the achievement of something meaningful, educational, productive, and a net improvement of the topic at hand.
And then perhaps you should ask yourself why you seem to consistently align yourself with these types of people, rather than with the many others who manage to engage with one another here in a more constructive manner.
Nothing wore that a cop (or ex-cop) with an inflated ego and a chip on this shoulder. Thank the lord Greet no longer carries a gun (or a flashlight),
Nothing like hiding behind one’s anonymity and insulting others. I do sometimes still carry a gun, High, and quite lawfully and entirely responsibly. I think more people should do so. Don’t you?
Again….“contempt of cop” may stem from a type of “occupational arrogance” when a police officer thinks he or she should not be challenged or questioned. From such officers’ perspective, “contempt of cop” may involve perceived or actual challenges to their authority, including a lack of deference, disobeying instructions,or expressing interest in filing a complaint against the officer.
Greet Koans: (Koans are a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment)
Greet said above….
“I do not presume to dismiss, diminish, or denigrate your efforts. Why do you seek to do so with mine?”
“@ janis: You seem to be an intelligent person, so I have to presume that you are intentionally misunderstanding some of the things I have said and for no other reason than to then seek to denigrate me for your own misperceptions.”
“Perhaps, rather than trying to construct various flawed analyses of how you believe I think or why, or wasting time fixating upon how many words I choose to use, you should simply try to ask yourself why some others here seem unable to offer information without slanting or falsifying it.”
“And then perhaps you should ask yourself why you seem to consistently align yourself with these types of people, rather than with the many others who manage to engage with one another here in a more constructive manner.”
I wasn’t trying to insult you, Mr. Greet. It’s frightful that someone as unhinged as you appear to be is allowed to carry a gun. It’s no wonder that most folks don’t trust the police.
N.W.A. had it right . . .
@ High: So when you said “Nothing wor(s)e tha(n) a cop (or ex-cop) with an inflated ego and a chip on this shoulder. Thank the lord Greet no longer carries a gun (or a flashlight)” you did not intend any of that as an insult? I see. How strange it is that some persist in offering insults but then deny it when confronted, offering still more insults in the midst of their denials. Very interesting.
@ janis: You seem a bit fixated upon my comments. A reasonable person must wonder why that might be. Rather than seeking to denigrate and dismiss what I have said in your excerpts, why not simply attempt to answer some of the direct and implied questions found there? Perhaps it simply proves too difficult and personally painful for you to do so. Perhaps when you, Ruehle, and some others are being completely honest with yourselves, you do not like the answers to the questions I sometimes ask, so you seek, instead, to deflect attention back onto me and to do so in as insulting a manner as you can contrive.
I really do not know, nor is it particularly relevant to the discussion. I just find it interesting. Perhaps others do as well. But by all means, keep hiding behind your anonymity as you persist in offering your insults if doing continues to give you comfort. At least Mr. Ruehle isn’t ashamed to append his true name to his comments. I have to him credit for that at least.
Another Greet Zen Koan:
“But by all means, keep hiding behind your anonymity as you persist in offering your insults if doing continues to give you comfort.”
I am nobody:
A red sinking autumn sun
Took my name away.
Richard Wright
Truth is difficult.
Bleating pointless insolence
makes it hard still.
(unknown)
Pathetic copycat.
Still “bleating pointless insolence” I see.
Greet, “Still “bleating pointless insolence” I see.” No Greet, a traditional Haiku poem should have the form of 5-7-5 with the juxtaposition of two images or ideas and a kireji or ‘cutting word’ between them. The poem was a direct reference to attack on the use of my name janis and the Greet Zen koans I posted earlier.
What you wrote Greet shows a complete lack of understanding of this form of poetry and is the work of a “Pathetic copycat”.
“Truth is difficult.
Bleating pointless insolence
makes it hard still.
(unknown)”
Greet, why the hypocracy? For years as a Long Beach Police officer (before you retired), you posted under the anonomous name John B. Why was it OK back then for YOU to do so, but now you take such offense to others doing the same.
@ janice: yes…i mistyped that one line, sorry….should have read “harder” not hard. And truly, yould give over this incessant habit of denigrating others. There really is no need and only serves to do YOU the very discredit you seek to heap onto others.
@ Ruehle: We have been over this a dozen times. I am not inclined to revisit this with you again, especially in light of the fact that I just paid you a compliment.
Above direct quote from John Greet:
“I simply desire that the discussions in which I choose to participate remain, meaningful, constructive, productive, courteous, respectful and factual. The degree to which a discussion departs from those is usually the degree to which I sometimes take exception.”
Another direct quote from John Greet:
“And just like the despicable Mr. Ruehle, you have now chosen to speak flippantly, superficially, and with considerable dishonor.”
http://www.lbpost.com/news/greggory/11971
Apparently Greet’s standard for courteousness and respectfullness applies to everyone else but himself. What a hypocrite.
Oh but Mr. Ruehle, that *was* courteous and respectful. You have no idea how difficult it was to restrain myself from using the sort of insulting and derrogatory epithets that you typically employ.
Finally back again to Contempt of Cop, Greet “I simply desire that the discussions in which I choose to participate remain, meaningful, constructive, productive, courteous, respectful and factual. The degree to which a discussion departs from those is usually the degree to which I sometimes take exception.
Here is video of a witness describing aFulleton man being beat to death because of Contempt of Cop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_hivslQiE8&feature=player_embedded In this case the degree to which they took exception was outstanding. The cops keep beating and tasering the guy until he stops moving and calling out for his Dad then he dies.
Arrests for “contempt of cop” may stem from a type of “occupational arrogance” when a police officer thinks he or she should not be challenged or questioned.
A seizure or forcible restraint is an exercise of the power to deprive a person of his or her liberty. According to Greet “Bleating pointless insolence” includes quoting him or poetry and I should stop doing that. What Greet is doing by badgering everyone with his standards for posting (justifying his action with “contempt of cop”) is attempting to deprive us of our constitutional right to free speech.
Well….God Bless America, and here’s one from Steve Earl circa 2004 from the “Revolution Starts Now”:
I used to listen to the radio
And I don’t guess they’re listenin’ to me no more
They talk too much but that’s okay
I don’t understand a single word they say
Piss and moan about the immigrants
But don’t say nothin’ about the president
A democracy don’t work that way
I can say anything I wanna say
So f*ck the FCC
F*ck the FBI
F*ck the CIA
Livin’ in the motherf*ckin’ USA
People tell me that I’m paranoid
And I admit I’m gettin’ pretty nervous, boy
It just gets tougher everyday
To sit around and watch it while it slips away
Been called a traitor and a patriot
Call me anything you want to but
Just don’t forget your history
Dirty Lenny died so we could all be free
A threatening John B. Greet comment:
“You have no idea how difficult it was to restrain myself from using the sort of insulting and derrogatory epithets that you typically employ.”
This comment follows recently retired Long Beach Police Officer claim above that he still continues to carry a gun even though he is retired. Above quote from John B. Greet:
“I do sometimes still carry a gun, High, and quite lawfully”
Are Greet’s comments meant to threaten me? Does ex-cop John Greet carry a throw-down hose nozzle with his gun? Do I need to be in fear for my life from this Long Beach gun carrying ex-cop?
Mr. Ruehle and other alleged adults who debate and discuss as they do could have so very much to contribute if they would only stop acting so very childish.
Tell that to the families of the victimes of Columbine. It causes me grave concern when you make such comments as you frequently do and also claim to carry a gun on your person.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre
Its probably time to notify the police in order to avoid another “comtempt of ex-cop” killing.
Another recent Greet Koan, (Koans are a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment):
Greet “And truly, yould give over this incessant habit of denigrating others. There really is no need and only serves to do YOU the very discredit you seek to heap onto others.”
RE: Greet “Mr. Ruehle and other alleged adults who debate and discuss as they do could have so very much to contribute if they would only stop acting so very childish.”
And still other Greet Koans:
“I do not presume to dismiss, diminish, or denigrate your efforts. Why do you seek to do so with mine?”
“@ janis: You seem to be an intelligent person, so I have to presume that you are intentionally misunderstanding some of the things I have said and for no other reason than to then seek to denigrate me for your own misperceptions.”
“Perhaps, rather than trying to construct various flawed analyses of how you believe I think or why, or wasting time fixating upon how many words I choose to use, you should simply try to ask yourself why some others here seem unable to offer information without slanting or falsifying it.”
“And then perhaps you should ask yourself why you seem to consistently align yourself with these types of people, rather than with the many others who manage to engage with one another here in a more constructive manner.”
Notify whomever you like about whatever you like, Mr. Ruehle. But if you insist upon quoting me, please try to do so accurately and completely.
Would someone else join me in ordering the greet to shaddup
SHADDUP greet!
::smirk::
Glad I read this. Aparently, it takes more votes to recall these useless losers than it took to put them in the chair in the first place.