READER'S EDITORIAL: WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN AT EL CAJON'S COUNCIL MEETING THIS WEEK

July 21, 2014 (El Cajon)--There are three things that should happen (but probably will not) at the El Cajon City Council meeting on July 22.

A motion should be made to dissolve the Veterans' Commission. Two members of the five member group recently resigned, and a notice  to fill the vacancies has resulted in just two applications. The City should stop spending time and money on a commission it does not need.

Councilmember Bob McClellan should announce his resignation. He has spent 22 years on the Council, but is apparently unable or unwilling to attend meetings. At the May 13 session, the Council voted to cancel the August 26 meeting (supposedly for a so-called "summer recess"), and then McClellan said (with no explanation provided) that he will miss the two meetings in September. That gives him more than two months of time off (from August 12 to October 14).

If he resigns now, it may be possible that his seat can be on the ballot next November, and  the citizens of El Cajon can avoid yet another appointment, which would be necessary if/when he resigns at a later date. It is worth noting that he has continued to defy the law (and City Attorney Morgan Foley)  by promoting Christianity during the May 13 and June 24 meetings.

The City should explain why it has broken its promise to buld a new animal shelter. Voters approved Proposition O in 2004, which increased the local sales tax by a half-cent. Funds have been used for new police and fire facilties, but a report issued July 2 indicates that  while the City has received some $18 million more than it has spent, the shelter will not be built until next year. Not one dollar was spent on that project  during the fiscal year ending July 1. 

The views and opinions are those of the author and not necessarily those of the East County Magazine. Those wanting to comment should contact the East County Magazine at editor@eastcountymagazine.org for consideration.