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Diane Harkey Working for Dana Point… Or Diane Harkey?
“You know, I feel as if I’m talking to a wall. And I am tired of the apologists for unethical failings in our elected officials, who try to belittle and dismiss those who have had enough and are standing tall. If the majority on this council thinks this city is their personal property to do with as they please, and they’re there to rule and not to serve, they’d better think again.”
That was Dana Point resident Tony Cooke. Apparently, he’s getting frustrated over the Dana Point City Council’s habit of ignoring what’s really wrong with Dana Point. And you know what? He has reason to be frustrated.
At last night’s city council meeting, Mayor Diane Harkey stepped down from her “throne” to congratulate the city business of the month and to award certificates of recognition. She and the city manager waxed on about Dana Point’s rightful place in surfing history. She talked about how a new “tri-city trolley” would help move the happy tourists from their lovely hotel rooms in Dana Point to the San Juan Capistrano train station and all the nearby tourist destinations. Oh yes, and she smiled down upon everyone when public comments began, and a few residents arose to sing Mayor Harkey’s praises.
Judging by the first half of the council meeting, one would think everything was hunky-dory in happy Dana Point. But in reality, everything isn’t “hunky-dory” and happy. Real residents have real concerns. And at last night’s meeting, they had a chance to address them.
Follow me after the flip for more…
“I feel democracy is at stake.”
That was Dr. Jim Seitz, another Dana Point resident who is frustrated with city government and its practice of ignoring the concerns of city residents. After all, the city has done nothing about Diane Harkey violating city policy to make campaign literature look like an official city newsletter. The city has done nothing to address the concerns of Dana Point residents over the “pay-to-play” corrupt politics that Diane Harkey has brought into the policy-making process. The city has done nothing to address the affordable housing crisis that is raising concerns at the state level. Basically, as city residents worry over these real problems, Diane Harkey and the council go on as if nothing’s wrong.
“It’s easy to call names… But let’s think of facts.”
That was Patrick Evans, an attorney working with mobile home residents on the outskirts of town who are simply looking for an affordable place to live. He noted that these people supported Diane Harkey because she promised to help them. But was she done since she was elected to city council? Nothing. These residents are still afraid of losing their homes, and what has Harkey done? Nothing. Apparently, Diane Harkey continues to act as if nothing is wrong.
And in the comments made by Harkey supporters, they angrily derided the recall supporters as rabble-rousers who are acting as a divisive force in the city. They called upon everyone to renew support for Harkey, and to rebuild a sense of unity in the city. But what facts did they have to show that Diane Harkey is doing a great job in Dana Point? None. They talked about how Diane Harkey was such a good friend to them, or about Diane Harkey answering their phone calls. But after all the happy talk, they didn’t really address how the city government under Diane Harkey’s leadership is doing anything to address all the concerns of local residents. So how exactly is Diane Harkey doing a great job for Dana Point?
Ultimately, our elected officials work for us. Their job is to serve us. We are the ones who hire them, and we are the ones who can fire them. So Diane Harkey and her supporters can talk all they want about the recall advocates “dividing” the city, but has Mayor Harkey given city residents a good reason to unite behind her? Is she working for Dana Point? Or is she just using her position to climb the political ladder? Dana Point voters hired Harkey to serve them. And if they don’t think she’s doing her job as mayor, they can choose to fire her.
Simple as that.
After all, the city has done nothing about Diane Harkey violating city policy to make campaign literature look like an official city newsletter.
I’m curious, Andrew. You present that allegation as if it is a proven fact. Can you prove it? What does “an official city newsletter” look like? The city code in cited by the recall refers to campaign mailers. Are you claiming this newsletter is a campaign mailer? Does it advocate a vote for or against anyone? Does it even advocate a position for or against any issues (which it would be permitted to do as a 504(c)4)?
Do you agree with the Harkey recall people that official city e-mails and councilmember pictures can only be published in an official city publication? Do you agree that if you were to post the city seal on this blog and ask people to e-mail Diane Harkey at her city e-mail address, that you would be violating the law? Because that is what the Harkey recall argues.
You might want to examine the newsletter allegation more closely. This is the first the recall campaign’s claims I’ve checked into, and I’ve concluded it’s a very weak argument, especially considering the hoopla they’ve attached to it.
Matt-
I would think an “official city newsletter” has an official message from the mayor, a reprint of the city seal, and photos and contact info for all five council members. And guess what? We had all of that in “Dana Point Today”. However, “Dana Point Today” had NOTHING to do with the city. it was a CAMPAIGN PUFF PIECE funded by Harkey supporters. Shouldn’t something be done when elected officials misuse city property (like the seal) to deceive voters into thinking that they got something “official” when they really didn’t?
City government is supposed to be NONPARTISAN, but Diane Harkey has misused her position for her PARTISAN CAMPAIGN. Oh yes, and she misused the city seal to deceive Dana Point voters into thinking they got some newsletter when it was really campaign literature. Sorry, Matt, but this “newsletter” is a clear violation of not just city policy, but of basic ethics.
You might want to look at Diane Harkey’s actions more closely. If Dana Point residents can’t trust her to work for them, then why should AD 73 voters trust her to work for them in Sacramento?
Good morning Andrew.
As we both know every city has it’s share of resident/activists who can find fault with our elected officials. As you surely know I can speak as an expert for my own city whom I have questioned at numerous council meetings. Recognitions prior to real city business is common place. At times it is worthy and on ocassion it becomes abusive. Case in point. Some time back our residential trash haulers was given the dais to issue “monthy awards” and gift certificates to the residents who best “gift wrapped” their trash. In fact, after my nagging they altered that recoginition from monthly to quarterly. A minot victory.
Not being familiar with the Recall effort and related allegations I will refrain from participating in that debate.
As to your comment about “climbing the political ladder” perhaps you can research, than post, the political background of the 80 members of our state Assembly and the 40 members of our state Senate. Everyone starts somewhere. Well almost, Arnold being an exception.
Larry-
I understand. Every politician starts somewhere. Every city council meeting starts with recognitions. But should the sole purpose of a city council seat be a “launch pad” for higher office? Should it be used to help one’s residents, or to help oneself?
Think about that for a moment.
I would think an “official city newsletter†has an official message from the mayor, a reprint of the city seal, and photos and contact info for all five council members.
So, if I produced a newsletter that has an article by a Dana Point councilperson, and features the city seal in a section providing contact information for Dana Point councilmembers, than that constitutes an “official city newsletter”?
My point, Andrew, is you are presenting an allegation as undisputed fact.
If you took the reasoning you use here and used it to argue in court that the Dana Point Today newsletter violates the law, the judge would laugh you out of court (assuming the judge even took the case).
I’m not saying the Harkey Recall campaigns other allegation may or may not have merit, but the newsletter allegation is extremely weak.
Andrew.
I have attended and/or participated in a half dozen Orange County city council meetings including one in Dana Point.
Each council member has his or her own style. Before singling out Diane Harkey let me suggest your checking out the other cities in Orange County to see if her actions are inconsistent with other currently serving members.
Their job is to show their skills, leadership and knowledge of policy matters. Further, they also need to demonstrate an ability to convince a majority of their peers to support or oppose specific agenda items. As such their style may be misconstrued as posturing.
Best regards,
Matt-
So Dana Point City Law isn’t convincing enough for you? So it’s OK for Diane Harkey to violate city law by reprinting the city seal and making a statement as Dana Point Mayor on a campaign mailer? Admit it, Matt, if this were a Democrat doing this, YOU’D BE CALLING FOR A BEHEADING. I’ve seen less substantial allegations against Beth Krom and Larry Agran on OC Blog and the other right-wing sites. If Diane Harkey weren’t the GOP Machine favorite here, she’d probably already be out of office by now.
Larry-
Yes, I know Harkey isn’t the only one who misuses her office for personal gain. And you know what? THAT DOESN’T MAKE IT RIGHT. Just because Claudia Alvarez sells out Santa Ana voters for whatever new gimmick (like the OrangeLine debacle) to get her $$$ for her Supe race, Diane Harkey shouldn’t look to folks like her for inspiration. Just because Janet Nguyen misuses county funds for politicking doesn’t give Diane Harkey license to violate city policy to spruce up her campaign mailer. Now when the heck did “Everybody does it!” become a legitimate excuse for our politicians to lie to us, cheat us, and misuse OUR tax dollars?
I don’t get it.
Andrew.
Where in my post did I state “THAT EVERYBODY DOES IT?”
Don’t misrepresent my thread. Our first exposure to elected officials is typically at the local level. Those fortunate enough to get elected, in most cases, will run for a higher office as I stated earlier. My comment was that every elected official should demonstrate, to their consitutuents, that they didn’t just fall off the back of a turnip truck.
Not residing in Dana Point I have not seen any evidence supporting (or refutting) the allegation of an abuse of power. Again I did NOT agree with your statement that “know Harkey isn’t the only one who misuses her office for personal gain.’ That’s a stretch.
Looking back at your comment about city government “supposed to be non partisan” than perhaps you can tell me why the OCGOP issued endorsements around the County last fall. My guess is that 99 percent of city council members are either Dem’s or Rep’s. What’s your point?
Larry-
Please accept my sincere apologies. I’m sorry that I misunderstood what you said. Now all I’m trying to say here is that Diane Harkey shouldn’t get a free pass for forsaking her own constituents in Dana Point, just because she’s looking to climb the political ladder. Now is it wrong for city council members to ultimately run for higher office? NO! But is it OK for city council members to DECEIVE THEIR OWN CONSTITUENTS and forget their concerns, just to favor themselves with the powers that be that promise money and power? NO!!
And again, what I meant in the ” non-partisan” statement is that elected officials shouldn’t abuse their government positions to help their own partisan political campaigns. And yes, it bothers me when a Democrat does it just as much as when a Republican does it. Why do you think I’m so ANGRY at DINO Corporatists Miguel Pulido and Claudia Alvarez for selling out Santa Ana voters for stupid crap like One Broadway Plaza and the OrangeLine? Why do you think I got ANGRY at Don Perata earlier this year for locking Lou Correa out of his office and kicking him off committees because of Democratic Caucus conflicts. I don’t care if it’s Democrats that abuse their offices for political purposes… I’ll call them out on it, too!
What ultimately matters is that OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WORK FOR US. Is Diane Harkey doing that? And if she’s NOT, then don’t Dana Point residents have the right to fire her just as they hired her?
You sure stepped in it here, Andrew.
One of the functions of local government, and especially the Mayor, is bringing people together, celebrating the community, and thanking the many, many individuals who actually do the best things in society.
What happens in a City Council meeting is far less important than what happens in a neighborhood where everyone knows each other, in a youth sports program, a church, or a Boy scout troop.
Council meetings have ceremonial functions and they are extremely important.
Other than that, Harkey is an example of the worst of what happens when partisan politics and too much money intersects local government. She deserves to be recalled.
Aunt Millie-
I understand. In fact, what Harkey did in the beginning of the council meeting was probably the nicest part of the council meeting. I don’t fault her for awarding certificates of appreciation. However, what I DO fault her for is acting as if nothing is wrong in Dana Point when the community is being torn apart over her policies.
Yes, it is nice to see a community united. But what reason does Harkey give for the community to unite behind her? What has she actually done for the community as mayor? Even her supporters who spoke last night could not list one specific accomplishment that bettered the community… Can anyone?
So yes, Aunt Millie, you’re right. Local government leaders should bring the community together… BY SERVING THEM AND ENACTING POLICIES THAT ARE BEST FOR THEM. But has Diane Harkey done that in Dana Point? Look at her record, and decide for yourself.
So Dana Point City Law isn’t convincing enough for you? So it’s OK for Diane Harkey to violate city law by reprinting the city seal and making a statement as Dana Point Mayor on a campaign mailer?
You’re missing the point of what I’m saying. I don’t dispute what the city ordinance says, but I don’t think the newsletter violates it. You seem to think saying something over and over and over makes it true.
Admit it, Matt, if this were a Democrat doing this, YOU’D BE CALLING FOR A BEHEADING.
That’s a stupid thing to say. My opinion would be the same if this were Claudia Alvarez or Katrina Foley.
I think it’s time we all attened a DP city council meeting, to observe Mrs. Harkey up close and personal. Dear Mr. Cunningham can’t be expected to attend — he’s too busy printing apologetic spin/revisionist history for the OC Reapublicans, so that they can hang on to their graft/corruption/entitlement here in the OC, rather than engage in ‘somewhat-sort-of-journalistic-princliples’ (oops– his good buddy Frank Mickadick is probably a valued mentor). When they’re systematically and repeatedly thrown out of office, and begin to run around wringing their hands, exclaiming “what happened?? what happened??– Oh my God, the sky fell!!!” — they might — just MIGHT finally get the idea. but even then, doubtful. Remember the Third Reich.
Dear Mr. Cunningham can’t be expected to attend  he’s too busy printing apologetic spin/revisionist history for the OC Reapublicans, so that they can hang on to their graft/corruption/entitlement here in the OC, rather than engage in ’somewhat-sort-of-journalistic-princliples’
Yeah…that’s exactly what I spend my time doing.
Matt-
Oh, really? So will you denounce whichever Reep blogger trashes the Irvine City Council for some supposed “high crime” that turns out to be normal city business? I’ll look out for that.
sign-
Yep, yep, yep. Because the GOP Machine here thinks they are invincible, they think they can get away with anything. But now that machine politicians like Mike Carona, Chriss Street, and Diane Harkey are in deep s***, they’re running scared. If OC voters finally start to wake up and smell the debacle, the GOP Machine is TOAST. Hopefully, the voters are starting to wake up.
Oh, really? So will you denounce whichever Reep blogger trashes the Irvine City Council for some supposed “high crime†that turns out to be normal city business? I’ll look out for that.
Andrew, what are you talking about now?
For a guy who calls himself a “reality-based” blogger, you can really lose touch with reality. Youth and inexperience can only excuse so much.
And here’s a sad face for you:
Ok, so it sounds like we are starting to reach a concensus the Dana Point Today is not a real issue (no one has filed a suit), running for AD73 is not an issue (how do you know it is not for the residents? How do you measure that?). What is left? Not listening to residents. Which ones? Reading the adjenda sounds like some were listened to. What is it the rest want? What concerns need to be addressed? And what is the straight forward answer that would be accepted? You see, the antagonist bring up issues that they themselves don’t like. When some of their points are refuted either here, other blogs, or in newsprint, they go unchallenged and yet their dislikes are continued to be spewed forth. City council meetings are a place to present comment, not a debate. If you want afordable housing, ask what the city planning commission is doing about it. And how long will it take to address weak areas (like how can I buy a Dana Point home, with a view, for $300,000). I can assure you it will not happen by the next meeting.
Andrew –
I take one thing back. A Recall Harkey claim that the Mayor was swearing at an earlier city council meeting has been refuted by Tony Cooke, who supported the claim. The video was on their web site. Tony admitted it was his wife. This was reported at the city council meeting that you attended and is now on-line at the Dana Point News (OCR). This was the first thing the Recall Group focused on. Now what else has this group contrived? Why didn’t you, as a responsible blogger, report this retraction.
From the article Dan Morgan refers to:
The recall group had posted a video on their Web site of a March 2006 City Council meeting accusing Harkey of swearing as she left the room during public comments; a female voice can be heard cursing. Last week Harkey’s lawyer sent a letter to the recall group asking them to take down the swearing allegations on their Web site because they were unfounded.
On Tuesday night, after another resident named Caroline Cooke as the person swearing, her husband Antony Cooke did not deny that the voice heard on the video was that of his wife and fellow recall proponent.
I never believed that was Harkey’s voice in the video. She was clear across the council chamber, and the obscenity was clearly spoken by someone next to the camera. I pointed that out to Jim Lacy, but he absolutely maintained it was Harkey.
Dan M & Matt-
I find it funny how the two of you have to change the subject to try to make the recall supporters look stupid. I guess because there’s nothing Diane Harkey can show regarding how she’s working for Dana Point residents, the only ammo you have against them is that video. Well, guess what? Not even that helps.
After all, shouldn’t the mayor be present during public comments, the one time in the council meeting when residents can address the council with whatever concerns they have? When residents went up in March of last year to complain about Diane Harkey’s lack of concern for her own constituents, she may have proven their claim by just walking out on them. Regardless of whether or not she uttered “F*** you all!” to everyone in the audience, I don’t think it’s proper decorum for the mayor to just storm out of the council chambers while the public was trying to address her.
So take a look at the recall campaign’s web site, and look at what they have to say now. Look at the video, and watch Diane Harkey in action. And then, just try to continue distracting us from Harkey with complaints on the recall campaign.
Just try.
No hold on a minute – ETHICS MATTER Andrew!
Cooke and his wife lied about the F word, basically slanderd Harkey and let everyone think Harkey said it and all you have to say is that it was still wrong for her to leave the room? No one is distracting from the subject….except you…from addressing this lie. Ya’ll are here and on the other blogs bitching that she is a liar and unethical and then one of your own lies to make her look bad? Where is your sense of morality and ethics in all this? DP Resident on other blogs makes stuff up about city attorney rulings which are simply not true, bitches about a newsletter with an add with the City seal which is represented by ALL members of the council and is only complaining about Harkey. If there was an issue with that newsletter it would have been taken down by now. Come on now Andrew!
Ethics Matter – my Ass!
or as Mille likes to say – Bullshit! (or are we supposed to say horseshit?)
Flowerszzz-
Ummm, NO! One, I don’t remember writing a story on Harkey & the F-bombs. Two, the Cookes have NEVER lied about it. Caroline has said that she dropped an f-bomb after getting so mad at Harkey forsaking her own residents to walk out of the council meeting that she just didn’t know what else to say. And three, THIS STUPID ARGUMENT OVER F-BOMBS IS MEANT TO DISTRACT US FROM THE REAL PROFANITY THAT IS HARKEY’S RECORD OF (NO) SERVICE TO HER CONSTITUENTS. Whether you like it not, city law is clear on what constitutes improper use of the city seal… After all, why else would Harkey’s minions SHUT DOWN DANA POINT TODAY? Oh yes, and even more important than the city seal issue, DIANE HARKEY’S CAMPAIGN DECEIVED DANA POINT VOTERS BY MASQUERADING THEIR CAMPAIGN LITERATURE AS A “CITY NEWSLETTER”.
Ethics DO matter, but unfortunately Diane Harkey hasn’t shown us any evidence that ethics matter to her. Now you can believe Matt’s spin here, and allow him to distract us from the real issue of Diane Harkey’s failure to serve Dana Point with his slamming of the recall campaign. Just don’t expect me to buy any of the spin.
in the paper – I’ll quote:
“Antony Cooke admitted his wife is swearing in a video taped at an earlier council meeting. That video is one that proponents had grabbed onto earlier as a reason to recall Harkey, stating she was the one swearing.”
The anti Harkey crowd used the swearing incident as a reason to recall her…..based on a lie. Andrew not telling the truth from the begining is the same as lying….didn’t your parents teachyou that?
As to this being a stupid arguement…lol…it is one your side startedand now that it has been proven untrue….spin away…make my day!
Some more spin from you – above you say that DP today was shut down???? LMAO – it is still there AND the infamous newsletter is still there as well. So what the helk are you talking about?
On newsletters – have you seen any other officeholders newsletters? Come on Andrew….they all look that way.
All of your complaints have huge holes in them.
Give it up, Flowerszzz — Andrew has his story and he’s sticking to it.
Flowerszzz-
Harkey’s ungraceful exit from the city council meeting was ONLY ONE of the many complaints against her. There’s also her deception of the mobile home residents who she promised to help, but then evicted. There’s also the faux newsletter (that HAS stopped publication) that was really campaign literature. There’s also the “pay to play” politics that Harkey has brought to Dana Point. Basically, it’s Harkey lacking an entire sense of ethics. Remember that.
Matt-
Give it up. You can spin as much as you want, but you can’t force us to believe the spin. Maybe you can shut down debate at OC Blog, but we won’t shut down debate here. Yes, and that includes YOU. I have no problem with you defending Harkey here… Just don’t expect me to believe it.
Andrew – she could not have broken her promise to the mobilhome people alone…she needed others to vote with her. You have lots of political verbiage but nothing to back up your claims. And so far the recall folks have fumbled over and over again…this latest news is one of many mistakes made thus far and you know it. When I saw that video I thought hell ya she shuld be recalled…she should not talk like that. It was plain and simple to me then. Now come to find out it was a lie and the guy speading the lie…it was his wife that said it…lol. Again…ethics matter???
You state that Dana Point today was shut down…It is still alive and kicking and the ad with the seal is still there on page 3…available on line if you ever want to check your facts. ethics matter???
Look I don’t have a problem with the recall process, hell even if you want to recall her…that is your right BUT when you base the recall on lies then you are no better then what you accuse her of being. remember ethics matter???
If you can not admit that your side made mistakes, and one of your own has lied, then that is on you guys. IMO, it is evident that there are no ethics period in this recall attempt. It looks more and more every day like a personal vendetta, that will go to any lengths to destroy someone. and again ethics matter!
From the Lacyites website –
“Diane recently intervened in a private civil matter. In their own home, she bullied residents Robert and Colleen Traphangen into signing away their legal rights on a letter she prepared herself to benefit the owners of the St. Regis Hotel.”
The Traphangen’s have stated a few weeks ago on this blog that they did not sign the document, but if they HAD signed ….
So why say bullied into signing? Isn’t that lying? What else in that statement is a stretch? I am not changing the subject. These are the subjects Lacy and Company want us to beleive so we will support the recall. And they are just not true. Each week more people with first hand accounts of the “incidents” come forward refuting each reason to recall Harkey. Andrew, you have been duped into supporting this group.
Flowerszzz-
The Cookes NEVER said that Harkey made the “f***ing crooks” comment that’s audible in the video. No, but what multiple people HAVE said that they heard Harkey say “F*** you all!” on her way out. Now that can’t be heard on the video, so I won’t try to convince you on that one way or another. What I will say is that the Harkey Campaign is spreading an OUTRIGHT LIE by claiming that the recall campaign said that Harkey said what Caroline Cooke really said. Again, Harkey is resorting to deceit and duplicitous spin to distract from her own problems.
Dan M-
Simple answer: NO. Again, the Harkey Campaign is resorting to semantics to deceive and distort. The recall site said that Harkey BULLIED the Traphagens. It did not say that the Traphagens signed the statement. Again, the Harkey Campaign is trying to spin away Diane Harkey’s ethical problems by fabricating “false claims” the the recall campaign never made.
And again, you’re more than welcome to keep trying to spin this all away… Just don’t expect us to believe it.
It’s time for me to weigh in. For those people in favor of the recall, we were completely sandbagged by the pro-Harkey crowd that night. In a democracy this is fair, and perhaps we should have expected it. I could have responded more definitively, but you might say I was caught a little off guard without time to prepare my comments.
While not denying what anyone might have been able to make out on any part of the audio of the now infamous council meeting (after all, there was a lot of commotion at that moment), I was trying to say that I knew for a fact that there were numerous reports of profanity that night from Harkey. Regretfully, I did not name her, assuming everyone in the room knew whom I was referring to. Harkey’s swearing, after all, was the subject of the discussion.
So, If I didn’t make it clear then, I am making it clear for the record now. Lacy at one time may well have believed some of the distinguishable audio was Harkey. As time went on, and as it became clear that it could not be so identified, he took pains to reflect this in the recall web site. Harkey’s actual quote was written there, and everyone who has seen and heard the video tape will realize already that these are not any words that can be made out on that tape. The people who positively identified Harkey as swearing “f… you all” will be identified shortly.
To those who think that Tony Cooke admitted that his wife was swearing at that infamous March 22nd city council meeting, are all wrong. Tony never admitted this during his three minute speech at Tuesday’s council meeting, nor did his wife. The DP Newspaper made a mistake, I have the taped version of the council meeting and Tony will have a rebuttal of their comment in the paper next week.
Before any of you go off half-cocked and accuse anyone of injustice, you should know the letter of the law, which requires that you gather all of your facts correctly before you speak out from both sides of your mouths. Your infintile comments are only enforcing the issue that Diane Harkey will do anything to protect her ass and that is why the recall is based on gross failure in ethics. It was definitely Harkey who swore, not Ms. Cooke.
I was at the March 22nd meeting and it was Diane Harkey who used foul language and waved her middle finger at those in the audience. The former mayor Lara Anderson and many others will vouch for this as well. Ms. Cooke did not swear at this meeting and if any one says this again, you will hear more than swearing from this corner. It is time for any of you who were not present at this meeting to either know the true facts or just shut up and go home. No one likes to be accused for something he or she had not committed. Put the blame where it is…Diane Harkey!!!
Diane was not the one who said “f…ing crooks”. HOWEVER she DID say ” f… you all” when she left the meeting rather than stay and listen to her subjects……er constituents. Both I and my husband heard her as well as at least 3 other people. It is not the swearing that bothers me the most. The fact that she left the meeting because she KNEW we were about to confront her with information contrary to what she had told us. She just couldn’t handle the pressure. Is this the kind of personality you want in government? HARDLY!!!!!! In my opinion, that is why she swore at us and left the meeting early.
Jerry-
You’re right. The paper DID make a mistake. I was at Tuesday’s meeting. I sat in the audience, and I can tell you all the Tony DID NOT say that. In fact, it was SOMEONE ELSE who not only said something about the f-bombs, but also spread ALL-OUT LIES about someone else connected to the recall. The more I observe this struggle in Dana Point, the more I see Diane Harkey and her minions resorting to LIES to spin away the facts about her.
Tony-
I’m so sorry to see this happen. And I’m so sorry that your wife’s words are being distorted by a spiteful few who seek to lie and distract to save Diane Harkey’s behind.
And yes, there are other people who have said that they heard Harkey drop her own f-bomb as she left the council chambers. However, what really concerns me is that DIANE HARKEY DID NOT EVEN STAY IN THE CHAMBERS TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE PUBLIC HAD TO SAY. She just left, as if what the public had to say did not matter to her. Does the public ever matter to her? IS SHE DOING HER JOB OF WORKING FOR DANA POINT? Or is she just misuing her position to serve herself?
No matter how much Harkey and her minions try to spin it away, they can NOT force us to look away from Harkey’s record and what it tells us.
I really do appreciate your support ,Andrew and Jerry. However, one little thing for the record. While Jerry is correct in that I did not actually admit that my wife swore at the infamous council meeting, I did not deny it. A lot of people probably swore that night! After all, there was a lot of commotion. However, the subject of all of this is Diane Harkey. There are numerous people who report that her words that night were “f…you all.” This has been accurately quoted on the recall web site. It does not claim that these words are audible, or specifically reference any others. But these are the reports, all from separate individuals. Stay tuned!
Thank you Kathy Wilson, too!
I am over all of your childish behaviour. You can argue amongst yourselves….in my eyes you ALL have lost any credibility on this issue whatsoever…. It is more apparent then ever that there are a bunch of juveniles running the show here and are looking to destroy someone for their own personal vengance.
Whatever legitimate issues you all may have had (like her walking out during public comments) have been completely negated by your very own lack of integrity.
Flowerzzz & Jubal,
It appears that ethics have mattered all along, not your opinions or spin, but the truth from those who were there. Matt, keep on practicing with that video camera of yours, maybe you’ll learn something about audio. Flowerzzz, keep on blogging, but try to avoid using all the juvenile text messaging quips, they’re quite annoying. They don’t make up for your lack of spelling skills.
Evening that’s all you got. on me…spelling errors? Laugh My Ass Off.
Antony-
Thank YOU for helping set the record straight! It’s just frustrating to see a few people try to distract us from Diane Harkey and her record of deceit by focusing attention on statements that no one made. If this is the best they can do, then they have real reason to be afraid.
Flowerszzz-
I’m sorry to hear that you can’t handle real Dana Point residents trying to speak the truth. I find it encouraging to see that we’ve hit a nerve on this blog, and that REAL DP residents are coming forward to speak the truth. I’m sorry that you don’t like that, Flowerszzz, but I don’t think there’s anything “juvenile” in trying to speak truth to power.
Evening-
Right on! It’s not the spin that matters here, but the real lack of ethics displayed by Diane Harkey. No matter how much she and her political team try to spin it away, they can’t. And no matter how much they try to suppress the truth, it will come out. Why is Diane Harkey so afraid of the truth?
I’m having major issues posting comments in this blog lately. Any ideas?
Harkey Campaign is spreading an OUTRIGHT LIE by claiming that the recall campaign said that Harkey said what Caroline Cooke really said.
Andrew,
I went back and forth with Jim Lacy about this video regarding my doubts that was Diane Harkey making the obscene comment. He maintained that it was, and that the reason it sounded so close to the camera is that microphones were on in the back of the council chamber.
I don’t know how, with a straight face, you can now claim the Harkey recall campaign wasn’t saying it was Diane Harkey saying “f—– crooks”? They sent out that video claiming you could hear Harkey uttering an obscenity, plain as day.
Flowerszzz is right — YOU are the one doing the distracting here.
Your infintile comments are only enforcing the issue that Diane Harkey will do anything to protect her ass and that is why the recall is based on gross failure in ethics.
I have to say, Jerry, that while I admire your mastery of the English language, it can be tough teasing the substance from the flowery verbiage.
But in the quote above, you seem to be saying that any attempt at rebuttal of your sides charges is somehow proof that you are right.
Matt, keep on practicing with that video camera of yours, maybe you’ll learn something about audio.
You are one profound guy, Evening Coffee.
If there are witnesses to Harkey dropping on f-bomb, I look forward to what they have to say.
In the meantime, this should be a lesson to the Harkey recall folks not to rush out of the gate claiming video proof of an allegation, when that video proves nothing of the kind.
Matt-
It’s amazing how you’re doing what the Harkey Campaign does so often in projecting all the wrongs of Team Harkey onto the recall campaign. The recall campaign’s web site did post the video, and maybe they were unclear in pointing out where the audible profanity came from, but the recall campaign NEVER accused Diane Harkey of making the audible “f***ing crooks” comment. You can try to spin this away by putting words in Jim Lacy’s mouth, but the official recall campaign NEVER did what you are accusing them of. And once again, you are fabricating accusations to distract us from THE REAL PROFANITY that is Diane Harkey’s record of being dishonest to her community.
So go ahead and mock the recall campaign. Go ahead and call me names. Just don’t expect me to believe this bulls**t you’re trying to sell us. Diane Harkey’s record is available for everyone to see. And no matter what distractions you throw our way, you can’t change her record.
Andrew, I just love this character flowerzzz who cannot even stand up and give us his true name…yet this lame brain who does not live in Dana Point is calling the proponents a bunch of ‘cry babies’ and I truly resent that. Probably this depressed deviate enjoys playing with the emotions of those who have been beaten up and are trying to climb back up the mountain by expressing themselves with emotion and truth.
Flowerzzz reminds me that most people have photographic memories…some just don’t have film. His empty spool of thread spouts nothing but venom and his ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
Somehow his comments remind me of someone who has Van Gogh’s ear for music and who has had delusions of adequacy. All in all, the proof shall be when Harkey is booted out of office and her supporters go scrambling for a new parasite with big ideas.
Just remember, Flowerzzz…there are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity!
Jerry-
Yep, it’s sad. It’s sad how some people just want to buy the Harkey spin and ignore the reality that all of you in Dana Point must LIVE daily. It’s sad how some are willing to just give Harkey a pass because she’s a “good machine politician”, and let Harkey climb that ladder while stepping on all those that she’s supposed to be working for. It’s sad that we allow for all these politicians (like Harkey) to continue using us and abusing us to amass more power and influence for themselves. Sad.
I’ve heard Harkey call Councilmember Lara Anderson “a bitch.” When she tried to get me to vote for her for Mayor over Andrerson, she told me that she “had not got a f@#$%ing thing” out of being on the council. Is that enough on the swearing?