Blog: Termed Out

I was appointed to the Harbor Commission in May 2005 by Mayor Greg Hill. I was re-appointed in August 2008 and served until my second term expired in September 2012. The city's Municipal Code limits commissioners to two terms. It was a privilege to serve the people of the city of Redondo Beach in my capacity as a Harbor Commissioner.

I've kept my eyes and ears open throughout my time as a Harbor Commissioner and learned a lot about government, city government and the city of Redondo Beach. I haven't said or written a lot publicly about my experiences in city government during my time as a commissioner. That would have required me to take positions that potentially criticized the same government I had sworn to support. In my opinion, it's hypocritical to be inside and outside at the same time. 

That doesn't mean I didn't disagree with many of the policies, positions and practices that were adopted or in place while I was a commissioner. Within the guidelines of my job as a commissioner, I probably disagreed more than I agreed. I was never quiet about it.

What would have been hypocritical, would have been if I decided because things weren't going the way I thought they should be going, I had a right to exert influence from outside the commission, using my column or my blog or other methods to get my way. That's a line I believe shouldn't be crossed. 

I'm no longer bound by that sense of obligation. I can speak and write freely. I intend to do so.

The text below comes from a message I sent to the commission at the September 2012 meeting.

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