RECALL JAMES JOHNSON COMMITTEE TO PRESENT CHARGES THIS AFTERNOON
By Dave Wielenga
The Recall James Johnson Committee, which on Tuesday announced its intention to circulate recall petitions against the 7th district’s representative on the Long Beach City Council, says that it will present a list of charges this afternoon—among them “Neglected Duties; Incompetent Performance; and Misuse of his Office.”
The group’s media advisory states that “community leaders from across the city of Long Beach are coming together to say they are tired of politics as usual, backroom deals and misrepresentation by elected officials. They are supporting the Recall James Johnson Committee as they challenge 7th District James Johnson’s ability to manipulate his message to benefit from his intentions rather than act for the greater good of District 7.”
Johnson brushed off the recall effort Tuesday in a comment to Long Beach Press-Telegram reporter Eric Bradley, claiming it is organized by out-of-district residents.
“I think it’s an unfair distraction from the mission that people elected me to do,” said Johnson, “which is improving the quality of life in the 7th District.”
Of course, the definition of out-of-district residents has recently changed because of a controversial districting plan presented by Johnson and passed by the City Council. Among other things, the new boundary between the 7th and 8th district was drawn less than a half-block north of the home of Mike Kowal—meaning the only announced candidate for next year’s 8th district council seat suddenly lives in the 7th district. Kowal has been an outspoken critic of Johnson’s longtime political benefactor, Mayor Bob Foster.
The Recall James Johnson Committee has had a website for several weeks at RecallJohnson.com. Kate Braid (an outspoken opponent of Councilman Johnson’s redistricting plans) is listed as a contact. LBReport.com has learned that among those signing the papers launching the recall is longtime community advocate John Deats. Mr. Deats told LBReport.com that “the last straw for me was Johnson’s vote to cut police and fire levels.”
In figures provided by the City Clerk’s office in May, 2011 (for all Council offices), the 7th district was then-comprised of 26,322 registered voters [major caveat: the number may be different under newly redistricted Council line].
The recall proponents must collect and submit valid signatures from 20% of the district’s registered voters within 120 days to trigger a recall special election…meaning roughly 5,200+ valid signatures will likely be required to trigger a 7th district recall special election.
In that special election, voters are asked only two questions: (1) Shall James Johnson be recalled and (2) if recalled, who (from among any number of candidates who may seek his office) will replace him? If 50%+1 of voters in a recall election vote to recall him, Councilman Johnson is immediately removed from office and the candidate with the highest number of votes takes office.
19 Comments
I will be interested to see the specific evidence of misfeasance or malfeasance those seeking this recall will present. I will also be interested in Councilman Johnson’s rebuttal to any evidence, should he choose to offer one.
This is a waste of time. They can’t get even half of the signatures they need.
What do they really want?
It seems to ths observrver(who does not live in the District’s impacted)-
this re call effort is deepedly rooted in issues,which heretoforte have
never .in recent history arrisen – striking at the very foundation
of our electoral process-and sense of right and wrong.
There is an arroma which has engulfed the re-districting which decent
decent and good people find more than offense-foreign
not only the impacted districts-but to the City as a whole.That foul
odor must be expunged.The re call is the best way to realize that-
sending the offender(s) to Coventry.
If games are not being played, ie., violations of the open meeting act, then how can Mr. Johnson, tell Councilwoman Gabelich that he already has 6 votes against her, even before the meeting started. Let’s start with transparency–many of these guys think the “Seat” on the Council entitles them to kingmanship. Not only do they get to create the laws, they always seem to win with a 6 to 3 vote and the Mayor in support, but they also get the gold….find out how much is in each Councilman’s Campaign War Chest and then follow the money.
Originates where?
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CIRCULATE RECALL PETITION
http://recalljohnson.com/2011/09/14/notice-of-intention-to-circulate-recall-petition/
September 14, 2011
James Johnson must be recalled,
He has NEGLECTED his elected responsibilities to represent his constituents,
failing to respond to constituent communications (written, electronic, telephonic and verbal).
failing to meet with community members and neighborhood leaders.
failing to represent constituent’s health and safety concerns (regarding the Port, 710 freeway expansion and rail yard expansions).
failing to act to protect the health, safety and welfare of his constituents.
He has been INCOMPETENT in the performance of his duties by:
failing to address the real issues, concerns and economic interests of District 7.
failing to use the redistricting process to unite communities of interest in District 7.
violating the publics’ right to participate in city council and public meetings.
supporting special interests and political allies over 7th District residents.
He has MISUSED his office by:
received 96% of his campaign funds from outside of District 7.
disrespecting his constituents, council colleagues and the democratic process.
having private employment with ties that conflict with constituent interests.
using the redistricting process to further his political agenda.
failing to protect his constituents by voting for cuts to public safety.
These and other derelictions demand that voters RECALL James Johnson from office.
Recall James Johnson Committee
This is a long time coming. As a long time Democrat I supported Foster, but what he, Lowenthal, Garcia and sadly Johnson have turned into is a disgrace. I wull be donating, walking and collecting for the Recall…so will my neighbors. Let’s face it-Johnson has elite on his side-but this is not about the elite-as I think he will soon find out.
Ya, this country still in its stucture is constituted as a representative gov’t, as opposed to machine politics. Next.
Next is right. Stand by Long Beach.
It may be nearly impossible to collect those signatures.
http://www.longbeach.gov/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=27569
As you can see from the election results (above link), out of the 25,000 registered voters in the 7th, only 7,000 voted. The election was so close that Johnson only won by 362 votes. As I have said before, voters in LB are pathetic (but then again, look at the choices.)
He was only elected with 3,751 votes. Getting 5200+ signatures would mean collecting nearly 1500 more voters than who elected him in the first place. Good luck!
Fully agree, Ms. LB.
Remember, in Michael Shane Ellis, we once had a local elected official who had had multiple criminal arrests, was on active probation, had a warrant for his arrest, had been unanimously censured by his School Board colleagues for habitual absences and officially asked to resign by a majority of them.
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/07/local/me-school-resign7
And yet even in so blatant a case as that, and even with the Chamber of Commerce laying out tens of thousands of dollars to circulate the petitions, a sufficient number of Ellis’ constituents could not be bothered to sign *those* petitions to put *his* recall question on a ballot, let alone actually vote to remove him.
Given the abysmal voter statistics you have offered, and the abysmal track record many Long Beach voters have in recalling elected officials who truly *should* be, I cannot help but share your skepticism concerning this current movement against Johnson.
Johnson has ALWAYS been a shill for Mayor Foster. He knows Foster can provide the support to futher his political aspirations OUTSIDE of Long Beach. Johnson is only using Long Beach as his stepping stone out of here, much like O’Donnell, Foster and Delong, who have all announced election campaigns to also further their political careers outside of Long Beach.
Oh yeah, that MS Ellis thing was beyond ridiculous. What a waste of time and money. That guy should never have been elected.
Personally, I don’t know how to feel about agreeing with you, Mr. Greet, but I guess I’ll just let that aspect of this conversation sit for a spell. The truth is, what has Johnson done that is so bad he deserves a recall?
All I can make from this whole situation is that Mike Kowal can’t wait until the next election he is eligible for and run. In the mean time there is plenty to do in the community. In fact I see the next two years as a wonderful opportunity to really establish his reputation in the community. Instead he is about to blow it big time with this political theatre that will cost the taxpayers alot of money we can’t afford right now. Not only that, but if Johnson is as bad as everyone says he is…well here is the chance to really watch him and see how he performs. The recall seems a bit childish, sore-loserish if you ask me.
And incidentally, I do not agree with you Mr. Ruehle, that O’Donnell is nothing more than a career politician. His “real” job is a school teacher. And he has done quite a bit of good in his district. He actually attends local events, supports some causes, and answers emails and phone calls (unlike other council members). I think he has his heart in the right place, though I don’t always agree with his council votes.
Foster and DeLong both are definitely just career politicians, and I’m not sure what to make of Johnson just yet. I think I may be old enough to be his Mom tho? He looks really wet behind the ears.
Don’t fret about agreeing with me, Ms. LB. I rather doubt it is a circumstance that will last very long ; )
Though, in truth, if some here would simply read the things I say and focus more on the actual meaning of my words, rather than their dislike of the ways I choose to say it, they might find less of a need to take exception.
Cases in point: Zerby in Long Beach and Thomas in Fullerton. The gist of all I have ever said in *both* cases is that if either of those tragic incidents were the result of police officer misconduct, the officers found guilty of committing the misconduct should be punished to the fullest extent of both criminal and civil law.
I do not think any of my several serial insulters on this site would disagree with that.
Where we seem to part ways is that they are willing to accuse, prosecute, try, convict, and punish all of these officers (and, by extension, their entire police departments, and city and in some cases county governments) in the court of public opinion, with precious few facts and precious little understanding of the few facts that they *do* have.
All I have *ever* suggested in both cases is that these officers have no less a right to due process than any other person who is suspected or accused of committing professional misconduct or civil or criminal offenses.
All I have *ever* suggested is that we allow the various investigations to proceed so that factual evidence can be discovered and considered.
All I have *ever* suggested is that the investigators should follow whatever evidence is discovered, wherever it happens to lead. If that evidence leads to a reasonable conclusion that any or all of these officers committed misconduct, then they should be adjudicated on the basis of that evidence. If that evidence leads to a belief based upon probable cause that any or all of these officers committed a crime or crimes, then they should be prosecuted for those crimes and, if convicted, be punished to the fullest extent the law allows.
Again, I just don’t see what is so all fired outrageous about these suggestions. Perhaps you can enlighten me.
Citizen Journalist Quotes of the Day — Discomfort of Thought
“It is not best that we should all think alike; it is a difference of opinion that makes horse races.” — Mark Twain
”The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane.” — Mark Twain
“That which is opined; a notion or conviction founded on probable evidence; belief stronger than impression, less strong than positive knowledge; settled judgment in regard to any point of knowledge or action.” — Definition of Opinion
“Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.” — Plato
“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” — Thomas Jefferson
“Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.” — Thomas Jefferson
“Too often we… enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” — John F. Kennedy
“People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
(Source: brainyquote.com)
greet since you choose to go so wildly off the topic of the article perhaps you’ll answer our questions about your employment with DHS?
LBCityGirl, maybe you can enlighten me on some of the good things O’DONNELL has done in his district. I know of a couple of good things in his district he claims to have done, but were the work of others. Maybe you can tell me about some others.
O’Donnell is soon to be termed out after 8-years as a Councilman. In reality, what has he done? Even Dee Andrews, who has been a Councilman for half as long and sleeps through most Council meetings has had a significantly greater impact on improving his District. O’Donnell has PROVEN himself to be ineffective on nearly EVERY issue he infrequently cares to comment upon.
For example, O’Donnell’s political platform has always been tearing down the breakwater. This is a hugely and hotly contested issue that should have AT LEAST have had a governmental study done. Yet, that goal is no closer than it was 8-years ago. O’Donnell has been terribly ineffective convincing higher levels of government to allocate the necessary funding for the Army Corp of Engineering to conduct that study.
If O’Donnell does not have the capability to get funding for a mere study, why would anyone want O’Donnell to represent them on other, much bigger taxpayer issues such as public employee compensation, infrastructure, public safety, Port expansion, etc., issues O’Donnell is neither in the forefront nor voices his opinions strongly.
O’Donnell is that breed of politician that does nothing for fear something may be held against him.
I do not care to answer any questions for you, howardx. But thanks very much for asking.
What Greet previously said after Howardx commented about Greet’s on-line resume:
“Next time you might consider doing the mature, courteous, and respectful thing and simply asking me about it, rather than misusing the information you find in blatant attempts to impugn a person’s character.”
So, Howardx does as Greet says and gets the following comment:
“I do not care to answer any questions for you, howardx.”
bingo!