Budget protest is rebuffed

Allen advocated on behalf of the Chevy Chase Canyon residents in his letter, arguing that Drayman’s move to forgo public comment and hold the vote was “undemocratic and erodes their sense of community and civic good.”

But after Allen’s letter become public, those same residents issued their own statement, making it clear that “we did not engage in any conversations with Mr. Allen regarding this or any other issue, nor did we ask him to write or take any actions on our behalf.

Any attempt by him to suggest otherwise is misleading and wrong.”

On Wednesday, one of the three intended Chevy Chase Canyon speakers, Pamela Tom, reiterated their opposition to any legal action being filed over the alleged Brown Act violation.

“We would find it a complete waste of taxpayer’s money,” Tom said.

Tom and a group of residents met with city library officials last week to offer their opinions and suggestions on ways to keep the branch open.

A council report on possible closure alternatives is tentatively scheduled to be released in August.

With the meeting under their belt, Tom said she and her neighbors feel the council is addressing their concerns, and so supporting Allen’s legal action would not make sense. “We want to work with them, not against them,” she said.

Garcia declined to comment on a July 10 correct and cure letter filed by frequent City Hall critic Herbert Molano until an official response is rendered later this month.

In that letter, Molano alleged the Glendale Water & Power Commission violated the Brown Act on July 9 when the public comment portion of the agenda was skipped, apparently due to lack of time.

BARRY ALLEN'S LETTER TO THE CITY COUNCIL

Dear Mayor Drayman:

This letter is to call your attention to what I believe was a substantial violation of a central provision of the Ralph M. Brown Act, one which may jeopardize the finality of the action taken by the City Council of the City of Glendale.

The nature of the violation is as follows: In its meeting of June 24, 2008, the Glendale City Council took action to approve the annual budget as an Action item on the Agenda, Item 8D and did not allow public comment stating that an exemption to the allowing the public to speak was that all the comments had been made at previous study sessions, public hearings or during Oral Communications.