I received the following notice from Harold J. Bissner III, of the Altadena Town Council:
The committee charged with hearing the issues regarding your alleged violations of Altadena Town Council Bylaws and Ethics standards convened on 11/8/09 and voted in majority for your removal from the Altadena Town Council.
Of eight designated members there were six in attendance constituting a quorum.
Discussion and voting consumed two hours and forty three minutes commencing at 6pm. The committee meeting incorporated and weighed Roberts Rules of Order, Bylaws of ATC and ATC ethical standards.
This vote is an advisory to the Town Council and not a finality of the matter.
A two thirds quorum of Town Council members must now convene in a closed session hearing as to final disposition of this matter at a date and time to be determined by the Executive Committee. Your attendance is requested so that you may offer your rebuttal to these charges.
[systemsbuildingin.....]
It is now time for the community to step up, let your voices be heard, and demand answers.
For those who may not be aware, a Closed Session Meeting was first held on August 18, 2009, to discuss my Student and Teacher of the Month programs.
As I had just been elected, and had had no formal training or mentoring, I admitted and apologized for my honest mistake.
I immediately corrected this mistake and made it clear in all communications that the Student and Teacher of the Month programs were in no way endorsed by, or affiliated with, the Altadena Town Council.
It was also mentioned that I erred in speaking against another Council Member, Alice Wessen, in regards to comments she made about my attempt to raise funds for the Student and Teacher of the Month programs, for which I also apologized for. Although not illegal, I returned all funds to all supporters and funded the program on my own.
After this minor glitch, I went forward with these programs with overwhelming support from the community. We began to award students and teachers in our community in September in all seven public schools in Altadena. Meanwhile, the "investigation" was still pending and the Investigation Committee had yet to meet until November 5th, 2009.
I have stayed true to my pledge to improve communications among the community, to link us together through technology, and to create an educational awards program to uplift our youth and our educators. I have done my best to serve my constituents and to not be a proverbial "seat-warmer".
The next Altadena Town Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 17th at 7PM at the Altadena Community Center (730 E. Altadena Dr). But of course, the Council prefers to meet in secret regarding this matter. I wonder why.
Please go to www.Altadenans.com to post your comments and participate in the poll.
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