The August 12, 2014 meeting of the Glendale City Council was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. You know the inevitable outcome; you know it will be extremely painful; but you are utterly powerless to stop it. All you can do is watch it unfold. This is the first council meeting I attended since leaving office over a year and a half ago. People have been telling me for months that the animosity among councilmembers was evident. I thought OK, there were times when our council meetings were not happy affairs. Little did I know that the atmosphere reeked of councilmember nastiness and disrespect. It was palpable fueled by the absolute arrogance of the council majority (Sherwood, Hugh, Alvarez and Chavira). The meeting was not unusual as council sped through proclamations and the consent agenda. The last two items were casino related. One was council approval of the draft agreement between the Tohono O’odham and Glendale. The other was the first official groveling of the city council with a resolution supporting the construction of the casino. All hell broke loose. The draft agreement was introduced and recited by Michael Bailey, Glendale’s City Attorney. Mayor Weiers opened the public comment portion. There were 22 speakers to the item. 15 citizens spoke in opposition to the draft agreement and 7 spoke in favor of the draft agreement. The speakers’ comments in opposition to the proposed casino revolved around these general themes: casinos produce greater crime in the adjacent area; they create a greater rate of gambling addiction and subsequent bankruptcies and home foreclosures. The two major themes were comments about the rush to get this agreement done and the fact that it simply wasn’t a good deal for Glendale. There were some memorable comments to share (my apology if I butcher someone’s name). John Burnell of the Sahuaro district related that a family member, as a gambling addict, maxxed out credit cards and lied to keep it secret. The husband had to take two jobs and it took him over two years to get the family’s finances back on track. Barbara Roberts acknowledged the casino job creation but said, “Yes, we need jobs but what kind of jobs?” Timothy Green of Goodyear said, “Casinos only succeed on the backs of losers.” A rather profound statement. Ron Kolb, Ocotillo district said, “The West Side will never be the same.” Dr. Ron Rockwell, pastor of a Yucca district church very near the casino site, said, “You no longer care about the moral and spiritual culture of this community.” Randy Miller, candidate for the Barrel district council seat, called out Councilmember Alvarez and her continual homage about the importance of listening to the people…yeah, Norma, right. It seems to be a principle of hers only when convenient. Those speakers in support of the casino were arrogant and boastful. John Mendlelberg, former Mayor of Surprise, said, “You must concede.” Reverend Maupin of Phoenix, said, “You lost the war. You should be grateful for whatever you are getting.” He accused Councilmember Martinez of being a liar and a racist. Robert Quizneros of the Ocotillo district complained about the audacity of “the other side’s hiring of attorneys and lobbyists” to defeat the casino. A special “shout out” to Lauren Tolmachoff, candidate for the Cholla district council seat. It appears that she has become a one-trick pony as she reiterated her support for the casino in the name of jobs. Hey, Lauren, don’t you know about “job displacement?” Several pro-casino speakers kept referring to, “it’s their (TO) land.” Well, yes it is after a purchase kept secret for 7 years and its newly minted designation as a reservation. It’s all about a reservation WITHIN Glendale. I defy anyone to identify any city in the State of Arizona that has a reservation within its boundaries. Then it was time for the Councilmembers to speak prior to their vote. Alvarez’ remarks were priceless in their ignorance. She made memorable comments such as, “what’s the difference between a lottery ticket and a casino?” Or, “We have casinos in Scottsdale.” Or, “They (Tohono O’odham) are going to provide a service.” That one caused audible audience derision. And lastly, “Make us responsible for what we’re doing.” Trust me, we will. Councilmember Sherwood, self-proclaimed negotiator and leader, was strangely silent all evening except for his monologue prior to his affirmative vote. His comments deserve a special blog and its coming. Councilmember Martinez offered a series of amendments to the draft and that’s when all hell broke loose. Councilmembers Alvarez and Chavira, repeatedly and often, yelled out while Councilmember Martinez was trying to speak, “Call for the question!” Their obvious intent was to silence Councilmember Martinez’ efforts. What were they afraid of? They knew they had the votes to defeat any amendment. Chavira was literally in a rage because of Martinez’ efforts. He lept out of his seat and it looked as if he was about to confront Mayor Weiers physically. Wow, Sammy. Finally we see the true persona and your reaction when crossed and you don’t get your way. The lack of control he exhibited demonstrated that he is unfit to serve as a councilmember and cannot conduct himself in a manner required by the office he holds. Martinez offered 4 amendments: raising the TO payment to $20 million or 3% of the Class III net; offsite infrastructure costs to be paid by the TO up front; a waiver of sovereign immunity especially with regard to fraud and other bad acts; and payments to continue beyond 2026. Each was rejected. The vote was as everyone expected. The majority of 4 – Sherwood, Alvarez, Hugh and Chavira voting to approve the agreement and Weiers, Martinez and Knaack voting against. What was unexpected to the degree it manifested itself, was the vituperativeness and nastiness. At one point a citizen called Martinez a liar and a racist. Mayor Weiers should have stopped the speaker immediately and requested a police officer escort the person from the building. There is no doubt that Mayor Weiers lost control of the meeting during the first casino agenda item. His failure fueled the majority’s contempt and rage. Kudos go to Bonnie Steiger, a Glendale resident and faithful attendee at council meetings for 28 years. She is everyone’s Grandmother. She was so disgusted with council’s behavior that she said their lack of respect for the very office they hold merited the removal of all of them. Lastly, I offer two interesting items for your attention. One is the Coyotes publicly announced today that they had accepted a deal for arena naming rights. Are you ready for this? It will be called the Gila River Arena. Hooray for the Gila River. Although it may require Glendale approval, Glendale may only reject for very narrow reasons and the new naming rights do not fit the criteria. Can you say embarrassing, Glendale?? Or perhaps the majority of 4 will figure out a way to kill the deal. The second item is that just before 5 PM, yesterday, August 12, 2014 a group filed paperwork with the Glendale City Clerk’s office for a Political Action Committee for the purpose of recalling Councilmember Gary Sherwood. Things are heating up in Glendale. As I said at the beginning of this blog, this meeting was definitely a train wreck but the pain is yet to be borne by all of the people of Glendale. © Joyce Clark, 2014 FAIR USE NOTICE This site contains copyrighted material the use of which is in accordance with Title 17 U.S. C., Section 107. 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The last time I remember Glendale being such a laughingstock as this meeting was when Ed Beasley waited to see if his selection of a new police chief was indicted in the city where he had previously served.
Dawn, do you mean Kirkland?
Yes. Deja Drew. Do you remember that article from the city he was coming from John? I’ll never forget waking up and finding a link to it in my email sent to me from a staffer in an East valley city. One of the many scandals that helped me to chose to move.
There is no question in my mind that Glendale’s new “Gang of Four” will try to block Gila River’s naming rights. I actually think the Coyotes blew it on the asking price based on yesterday’s outcome, but that’s another story. I would almost guarantee that when the new naming rights were announced, the TO were on the phone to Sherwood, et. al. Maybe if the TO were smart, they would have approached the Coyotes for the rights, and given them a boat load for it.
Wonder what this council will do when and if one of the bills circulating Washington passes? Good-bye windfall.
It sure would be a change of pace when a politician, even on this local level, doesn’t speak out of both sides of their mouth. Most on this Gang of Four are guilty of that. The old saying, “Speaks with forked tongue” really applies more to this current council more than it does the TO Nation.
Bill…
According the Craig Morgan’s article the TO were negotiating with Ice Arizona for naming rights. But in the end Gila River has had a long standing relationship with Coyotes and IA decided to remain aligned with a loyal friend.
Joyce, after 44 years of employment and association with this city, this is one of the first times I have been truly embarrassed. I am embarrassed that they current city manager hired a assistant city manager with no experience and part of the old regime who provided information to four councilmembers knowing they were conducting an illegal meeting, a city attorney who is so smug and condescending that the council should fire him, senior staff members unprepared to answer questions. But most of all, our city council. The council is so inept that former acting city manager Bowers actually just appointed department heads, (Police Chief, City engineer and I cant remember the 3rd) as council couldn’t decide what to do. This is unheard of in this city for a national recruitment not to happen and get the best person for the job. They are so polarized and only one group actually cares about citizen comment. The others have their agenda. As Bonnie and many others say and feel, the council members will feel the wrath of the voters.
I feel what you’re saying John but both you and Bonnie are far too hopeful. Most of Glendale could care less and know even less than that.
So true Dawn. Ask 10 people in my neighborhood when the council meets, 9 if not 10 would say, “I don’t know.”
If I asked 10 people in my old neighborhood near yours they would answer “Glendale?! I don’t live in Glendale. I live in North Glendale.”
Having sat through the meeting, let me try to explain it.
’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”
Any way, that is my takeaway.
I too am disappointed in the lack of public decency and decorum by the city council. I however think that for all those who hate this TO deal must stop and recognize that both Alvarez and Hugh was elected in a district election where their opinions were opposed to the casino and they openly supported the casino. Chavira was always on the fence depending who he was talking to he and the fire department was so anti Joyce that he was against the coyotes and pro TO’s we truly never got to know or see who or what he was until Tuesday night. Now Sherwood is another case, who can forget the many spectacular monologues against the casino by the two Gary’s during the time running up to the last election. I can’t help but wonder how the other Gary must be feeling now about his friend.
I am looking forward to the next issue on Sherwood’s plate to see him swing back the others or a new Gang of Four getting formed. It time foR us to see a Alvarez, Martinez, Knack and Weiers grouping. What could that be ……. May be that would be the dismantling of organization by the fire chief in his new role. After all he has been so successful at running his department that he is now on special assignment plan the new look of government in Glendale.
Glendale has been through the wringer lately. There have been enough bad decisions and bad behavior to go around, but has anyone been watching the candidates. Most have ducked and run for cover. Some of the Candidates have consistently shown their faces at the city council meetings… Randy Miller and Bud Zomok.
They have taken stands at almost every meeting. Where others are trying to see how many signs they can put up and giving speeches about what they will do for Glendale, these candidates are already doing it. If you have not already filled out your ballot, maybe you should let current behavior be your guide and elect Randy Millerand Bud Zomok to the Glendale City Council.
Good points but I would also encourage the voters to find out how each candidate stands on the issues important to you. Do your homework!!
Randy, Randy, Randy, talk about going negative!!! Talk about trying to make yourself look good by attempting to make others look bad!
Your are very much mistaken if you view my silence and absence from council meetings as an indication of what is to come from me. Rather, it’s a statement that I will not subscribe to and/or participate in an the empty debate which will go no where and do nothing. Even here, my first instinct is to ignore your piece but, I’m sorry, the platform you provided, from which to make certain points, just can’t be overlooked. I’m reminded of the following prayer;
God, grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I can’t, and the wisdom to know the difference”. Others have told me, “don’t get yourself wound around the axel by things you have no control over”. Good advice!
I have the wisdom to know the difference and recognize when I have no control! Candidate appearances at the council meetings, while viewed by a limited number of people as an effort to effect change, are just incidents of empty showmanship. They go nowhere and do nothing. Statements made, are not even a true indication of what is to come from a new Council Member. The post election performance of the present council should serve as proof of that point. I’ll just bet the present Council Members all made their ceremonial appearances at the council meetings when they were “running”. Lot of good that did the voting public. Many probably don’t even recall what they said “while running”. It seems when they get elected, during the swearing in ceremony, the fairy god mother waived her wand over their head and they become the resident expert on all matters related to government and public policy. After the election, they lose their need for the “public” and begin to advance their own personal agenda.
I have a conservative approach to government which should, by now, be very clear. The voters in the Cholla District should know my only agenda is to determine their opinion and represent their interests by providing them with a voice at Council. If all council members did their job, in the framework of a representative form of government, the public should not have to be concerned with what ‘the candidate’ thinks regarding an important issue. The public should be confident their representative will do exactly that; REPRESENT. Thus, my argument with the present council.
They are all advancing their own agenda and seem to be afraid of asking the public what they think. This is no more evident than in their utter distain for the attempt to place the issue on the ballot. Elected officials all seem to adopt the same opinion; ‘I know what’s best…just shut up and write the check!’ My personality truly does not fit that mold and I don’t feel the need to publicly blow wind around the room at council meetings where it does absolutely no good.
If I’m lucky enough to be the next Council Member from Cholla, the PEOPLE of Cholla, not me, will cast their votes through the voice of their Council Member. If others did the same, perhaps we would not have all of this controversy.
Thank you very much for providing me the opportunity to make these points. Without your ill-advised and perhaps misdirected piece above, I may not have had the platform on which to make my arguments. Thanks again.