I don't live in the third ward, but I think his bullying tactics are unbelievable.  I hope someone runs against him.

So is anyone putting together a real group to do this?  I'll have all the paperwork etc. to get the ball rolling in my hands by 10am tomorrow.

I've heard rumors that there are a few groups getting together this weekend to work on it but it's all heresay so far.

Ojo:

"At council meetings, Ken Weir must now frequently recuse himself from discussions, meetings, and votes on the Hillside Ordinance topics effectively depriving Third Ward residents of representation."

Weir does frequently recuse himself from consent agenda items — items that are so routine they're grouped into a big batch of typically 20-50 items and voted on as a group — because the vendor the city uses is also a client of his accountancy. Typically, it's the bill paying authorization and a few other miscellaneous things, which then go on to be approved by the other six with no comment. I think it's fair to say the Third Ward misses nothing there.

He has not recused himself from any public discussions on the Hillside Ordinance, because there haven't been any. Yesterday, he did vote for the hiring of a consultant to prepare the EIR for the Hillside Ordinance, which was on consent. There have been several closed-session discussions on the lawsuit over the Hillside Ordinance. Weir says Gordon Downs hasn't been his client since October 2006 (I think; I'm not at work right now so can't check). To my knowledge, he has not recused himself from those discussions, nor has he been advised to; the person who would know is City Attorney Ginny Gennaro. From what I have read (it was before my time), Weir did attend a closed session on the Hillside Ordinance soon after being elected, when he was still under the legal conflict-of-interest time penumbra, but I'm pretty sure he's out of that penumbra now.

According to a story in the Bakersfield Independent, Zack Scrivner called Russell Johnson to give him the ultimatum of resigning or being removed from his planning commission seat by Weir's placing his firing on the Council's agenda.  This was done without the public knowing and the full knowledge of the City Council.  While not a violation of the Brown Act per se' because four Council members would need to be involved, IT DOES GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT WEIR THOUGHT HE HAD FIVE VOTES TO TERMINATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING CITY ORDINANCE.  HMMMM ... I WONDER WHAT GAVE WEIR THE IDEA THAT HE HAD FIVE VOTES?  CONSPIRACY AND COLLUSION WRITTEN ALL OVER IT! 

Citybeat:  Thanks for the clarification and details.

"Truth"88:  Hmmm.  Perhaps there is reason to suspect a "serial meeting" violation in re. the Brown Act.  There appears to be an awful lot of smoke, maybe someone can spot the fire.

I live in the 3rd ward.  Frankly, I have no personal issues needing representation.  I used to call Maggard now and again about junk on Manor St.  The junk would soon be removed.  Mike was also great about recreation trails.  On a broader view, I would like to see a Hillside Ord that protects that area.  If Weir is anti, then he does not get my re-election vote.  A recall?  I need more convincing.

I live in the third ward, and I am very disappointed in Ken Weir.  I have spoken with him many times, and he is a good man.  But the more I see of his political movements, the more I develop distrust for his actions.  Does that make sense?  I think he would redeem himself if he would respectfully resign his position.

Maybe Ken is grooming himself to become our new Mayor one day....but why stop there...President....you know the taxpayers/voters are not on his mind right now..his bottom line is hurting and he wants his right now..thats why he is in that position

He blames the Bakersfield Californian, he blames Citybeat,he blames Noholdsbarred,then he blames Mr.Johnson. I have had the displeasure of speaking with some abusers,they think the same way. I have also spoken with some petty criminal types,that think they are "shot callers"(big wigs) and to a person they end up blaming everybody else for their situation. Or some bad habit that lowers their morals,or the classic"he/she made me do it".

I expect more out of our city representation. I am a happy resident of Sue Benhams ward,but these five lead our city.

IamRIGHT:  (Doesn't strike me as the moniker of someone willing to listen to an opposing view)

The "statement" I made regarding Mr. Weir's campaign was based on the "fact" that neither Ken Weir nor any member of his family ever came to my house (near BC) or any of my neighbors or the homes of any of my friends, acquaintances or relatives (A fairly large representative sampling).  Granted, we may just have been missed -- but "Vote for Weir" fliers were left on our doors by people, who by their own admission, were being paid to do so - not volunteers - hired and paid for.  Obviously, none of the neighbors, friends, or relatives above were asked their views on any issues.

Your listing of road issues - one Tuscany pothole, Chavez School road (Mesa Marin Drive?), and lights at unnamed "dangerous" intersections indicates a level of knowledge in regard to Mr. Weir's accomplishments indicative of an insider - employee?  consultant?  These accomplishments haven't been well publicized.  Perhaps you could establish your own blog and make them known.

What I have done for this community is not the issue.  I did not run to represent the people in the 3rd Ward.  Mr. Weir did and he is, therefore, responsible and accountable for his record.

Finally, as long as I have something to say, I will post it on this blog.  Your attempt to utilize disambiguation to dishearten and discourage me is a feckless attempt to silence the foundation of true democracy: individual opinion.

Read this:  http://people.bakersfield.c...

If Weir has so many supporters in his ward.......where the hell are they????

Antiextremism:  Yeah!  What you said!

IamRIGHT, what's up with the rhetoric?  "Obviously" "bash" "you feel absolutely no responsibility to do anything worthwhile" "extremist opinions".

Seriously, you're not doing Ken any favors by attacking.  It makes you (and him by extension) look desperate.  Of course, that may just be another extremist opinion to you, but it's an extreme position held by the majority of the electorate.  Word to the wise.

urRIGHT:  It would seem to be in the best interests of a council member to make lists of their accomplishments available to their constituents.  Good PR, you know.  Just my "extremist" opinion.

BTW, how's that search for WMDs going?  Oh, and say "Hi" to bigqueenkt for me.

I absolutely apologize, I didn't realize how angry I sounded.  I have deleted all of my comments.  I fear I've become obsessed with trying to make people see the truth.

I agree with anti.  Obviously Weir is not supported by his constituents.  So how was he able to obtain his office?  It is hard for me to see him fighting for what his constituents want, when they are not even coming out to support him or his recommended actions.  It just seems suspicious to me that he claims to do what the people want, yet no one is running to his defense.  I think it is time for his resignation.  I also see a strong case for a recall.  This is not the first time he has appeared to be immersed in shady backroom plans.  I expect my public officials to act publicly.  Any secrecy is absolute misuse of his position.

ThatBonnyLoon:  Those "shady backroom plans" you refer to are one of the things contributing to the negative attitude many Americans have toward politics and politicians today.  They remind one of mushroom farms.  As you know, mushrooms are grown in the dark and nourished by um, er, well, manure.

I can't predict what the outcome of all this furor in regard to Councilman Weir will be or if it ultimately will have a positive or negative effect on the community.  However, I can say that the one positive effect is that so many people in the city are involved in the controversy, studying the issue, and rendering opinions.  I doubt so many people have attended, and/or read a transcript from, a City Council Meeting in years.  I hope that this bright light of public scrutiny will continue to shine on our city and county officials long after the current situation has been resolved.  That should halt the growth of mushrooms.

Ojo: 

Not to rain on your civic engagement parade, but in the 11 months I've been covering council, there have been bigger crowds for the Westpark study vote, the immigration vote and the city employees' benefits vote.

This one certainly stands apart, though, as a process issue in which few people in the discussions have personal stakes. It's about civic engagement, not about what's mine.

Citybeat:

That's what I meant only your words are better than mine.  I like that average citizens are speaking up on behalf of the community as a whole and not, as you say, for "personal stakes."

And a little rain never hurt anyone.  Thanks for the comment.