Councilman James Gardner loses his cool at council meeting - blames Mayor for Unanimous Council Policy that he voted for

At the first council meeting of December, Councilman James Gardner blew a gasket. He flew off the handle, went off the deep end, went ballistic. He absolutely lost control. But then again, that is typically Gardner.

Here is the transcript:

Councilman Gardner: "The way the Mayor likes to run the meetings is we don't respond to you as we used to after you individually speak. Instead, we have to wait unit everybody speaks and then address each of you individually."

Mayor: "And actually that it is an item we all agreed to unanimously in the last year. So, that is not something that is my opinion. That's actually one of our items that we passed unanimously. Go ahead."

Councilman Gardner in descending tone : "But you have the ability to change that, don't you? And I have asked you on several occasions to change that, haven't I? And you continue not to change it, isn't that the case?

Councilman Gardner: "Is there anybody else here that would like to change this policy of waiting until people, everyone finishes and then we individually . . . "

Councilman Nick: 'I like to respond to people at the time they respond."

Councilman Gardner: "Anyone else?"

Councilman Gardner: "Alright, well, 3-5, 5-3. How many in the audience would like us to respond to you after you speak instead of waiting? Unfortunately, your vote doesn't count."

Mayor: "Why don't we move on from theatrics and trying to make a spectacle."

Councilman Gardner: "I believe you are the only spectacle on display here."

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Gardner lies about the council policy and blames the Mayor, wants policy changed arbitrarily, asks for more public input and even resorts to name calling. I personally feel he was hijacking the meeting, trying to be the Mayor and run the meeting - it is possible that Gardner has mayor-envy?

Seriously, Gardner's frustration with the council policy (that he even voted for) has made him act unbecoming of a councilman.

So let's break it down in the 4 major sections that Gardner addresses:

Gardner lies about Council Policy

Gardner likes perpetuating the lie that the Mayor can over-rule a unanimous council-approved policy. Sure, this is a quite trivial policy is the grand scheme of things. There are much more important issues like public safety, traffic, fire protection.

However, this unanimous council policy is what gets Gardner's goat - he complains about this policy nearly ever meeting. Maybe his frustration is that he voted in favor of this policy along with all of his other colleagues and he wasn't paying attention. Or maybe he is embarrassed and regrets that he voted the policy.

But lying and then blaming the Mayor for Gardner's own issues show a real lack of Gardner's character.

Gardner wants to Mayor to change Policy (like a dictator?)

Gardner then wants the Mayor to change a council policy right there at the meeting. Never mind that there is a process to change council policies (the Brown Act requires that the public has input into the process of making council policies). Never mind that he unanimously voted for the policy. Never mind that he took a oath to uphold the laws of our nation, state and nation.

My interpretation of Gardner's reaction: "Boo hoo - I don't like this policy even though I voted for it. I want it changed NOOOOOW!"

Does Gardner think Lake Forest is some sort of banana republic where rules and policy can be changed on the fly? Maybe he could take a course in how city council's operate.

Gardner becomes desperate and asks for audience help

In an act of desperation, he even has the audacity to ask the audience for their opinion. This is concerning for a few reasons:

FIrst, if Gardner were ever to be Mayor, would he just change the structure of meetings at any time? My understanding of how council meetings are run is that there is a specific time when the public can speak. They can provide comments during their allotted section of the meeting (as they did prior to Gardner's rant). There is a time and place for public comments, but that time had ended.

Second, someone might be wise to remind Gardner that the audience does not have the ability to a vote for specific policy. And they vote for who should be on the city council.

Gardner calls Mayor a Spectacle (when he himself is the Spectacle)

Gardner's childish and petty behavior continues when he calls the Mayor a "spectacle". I personally like it when the city council gets along.

It just doesn't seem to fit Gardner's personally, however, to get along with city staff, colleagues and even county officials.

Summary

Maybe Gardner was having an off day. Maybe Gardner was upset because his dog recently bit him. I really don't care what the reason is.

He is an embarrassment to the City of Lake Forest.

Questions:

1. How can Gardner expect the mayor to change a unanimous council policy? Should the Mayor unilaterally change council policy? Does Gardner think the Mayor should act as a Dictator?

2. I think Gardner should give himself a time-out next time so he can get his composure back before resuming the meeting.

3. As a trained psychologist, Gardner should be expected to have better control of himself in public meetings.

4. How long will Lake Forest residents put up with constant strife originating from Gardner?

5. Could Gardner be upset with the November 2016 election results where his council BFF Adam Nick was unseated?

6. Gardner should try taking a course on how to get along with others.

7. While he is at it, he should also take a course on how city councils operate, how to change policy and when the public speaks.

8. If I were a colleague of his, I would be pulling out my hair. Gardner is obviously on a power trip.

9. Gardner is one GRUMPY OLD MAN.

10. I cannot imagine being married to this guy - I really feel sorry for his wife.