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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1990 1121 CC REG ITEM 04B,i Leaving Office Remarks Dr. Clint Harper November 21, 1990 Let me begin by saying how delighted I am that John Wozniak will become a city councilmember tonight. Having known John and his family for twelve years I have no doubt that his honesty, candor and high ideals will serve this community well. Although I regret leaving the City Council, I have confidence that John Wozniak and Bernardo Perez will continue to carry the banner of environmental protection and managed growth. Let me also offer my appreciation to Eloise Brown. Although we often found ourselves strenuously disagreeing on some issues, we generally agreed to disagree in a friendly manner. In my six years on this council I can say with candor that no councilmember dedicated as much time to this community as Eloise. She is intelligent, outspoken and tenacious in fighting for what she sees as the best interests of Moorpark. As her colleague, and now also as a private citizen, I thank her for her efforts. Eloise and I served on many committees together and we accomplished a lot for this community in areas that often didn't make the front page of the local papers. There was seldom a dull moment with Eloise Brown around and I know we have not seen or heard the last of her. To our city staff let me also say "thank you ". In the early days of our city we had our share of staffing problems, much of it brought on by simple overwork. Under Steve Kueny's guidance our staff has developed into a professional, competent team that our community can have pride and confidence in. It's been my pleasure to have worked with some of these individuals for many years. Steve, as a member of the public I promise to try to not give you too hard of a time from the proverbial "other side of the counter ". In regards to the mayoral election: First let me thank the over 2,400 people who honored me with their vote. I take pride in the fact that you agreed with my basic premise, that politics as usual is not good enough. That the independence of elected officials from special financial interests is fundamental to healthy government. I take pride also in the fact that our campaign effort was funded entirely by relatively modest contributions that came from the heart not from company expense account. In particular let me thank my campaign manager RoseAnn Brodsky and her husband Steve who handmade those beautiful signs that symbolized the heart of our campaign: managed growth, environmental protection and preserving the quality of life in Moorpark. With limited resources RoseAnn ran an efficient, well planned campaign made up entirely of volunteers who did a commendable job against tough odds. Let me especially thank Bernardo and Vicki Perez and the entire Perez family for their unwavering friendship and support. Also a special thanks to Vicki McGowan, Teresa & Eddie Godinez, Elaine & Paul Cordeau, Bob and Mary Crockford, Tom Baldwin, Leo Barerra, Stephen Furst and his wife Lorraine, Dawn and Roger Mortara, Sam and Gloria Nainoa, John and Mary Roberts, Cindi & Wally Todd and a long list of other campaign workers and supporters who represent every part of this wonderfully varied community. To my wife Sharon and my three daughters, a special thank you for putting up with my passion for public service. Often when you needed help I was off on City business. Your love, support and courage has meant more than I can put into words. Regarding the race for mayor: I think it best that I leave as I came in, speaking my peace. So to our new mayor Paul Lawrason let me leave you with a challenge. Being mayor should be more than joining all the right groups, saying the polite and correct thing at social functions and chairing the City Council meetings Paul, during the election I read all of your campaign literature and your statements to the press. Now as a member of the public I'll be here to help hold you to your promises. 1. You claimed to be for improved emergency services and you said that we could have the added protection without the need for a special assessment. As one of your constituents I want you to deliver. As mayor you must take up where Eloise and I left off and work until there are paramedic units stationed within our city. I don't want political rhetoric I want protection for our community. 2. During the campaign you complained that I had not solved the traffic problems here in Moorpark. As one of your constituents I now expect you to follow your words with action. I pushed this city to take the first steps to get HW 118 out of the center of town. Now as mayor I expect you to work to make that bypass route which i have worked for a reality. 3. As a candidate you claimed to be for environmental protection, hillside preservation and managed growth. As mayor you now have an obligation to live up to the campaign promises. To help adopt a hillside protection ordinance and help draft the successor to Measure F which sunsets in a few short years. If you fail to meet the challenge others in the community will. 4. During the Campaign you repeatedly stated your support for the youth of our community. As one of your constituents I will expect to see our new mayor not just join Boards of Directors but actually attend and assist at youth functions. Assisting the youth of Moorpark involves your hands and your heart not just your name and promises in campaign literature. 5. Frequently during the campaign you claimed to be horrified by the lawsuits our City faces. Now as mayor you will have the opportunity to take a leadership role in settling our differences with other government agencies. As one of your constituents and a parent of three Moorpark students I will expect to see you give the same consideration to our School District that you give to business and development interests. Hopefully now as mayor you will finally take a consistent position in open and closed session and provide the leadership to solve these problems. As you take the oath of office tonight remember that it is now time to stand and deliver. On a final personal note: I have appreciated the honor and trust that the citizens of our community have placed in me. Serving in public office has been: rewarding, perplexing, enlightening, exhilarating, tiring, frustrating, and humbling. I have had the opportunity to work with and meet some of the most interesting, dynamic and at times maddening, people in our community. I now leave public office as I entered it, with my ideals and values intact. In the final analysis I have demonstrated that I never became a very good politician and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you.