Adam Moniz: ‘To all those city employees who have been forced to work in a hostile workplace environment, you deserve better.’

ABSTRACT: During Public Appearances at the 3 August 2010 City Council meeting, former mayoral candidate Adam Moniz addressed the public on the subject of harassment at City Hall. Moniz’s remarks are transcribed. A COMMENT is made.

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
City Hall
East side of Monte Verde Street between Ocean and Seventh Avenues

VI. Public Appearances
Anyone wishing to address the City Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City that are not on today’s agenda may do so now. Matters not appearing on the City Council’s agenda will not receive action at this meeting but may be referred to staff for a future meeting. Presentations will be limited to three (3) minutes, or as otherwise established by the City Council. Persons are not required to give their names, but it is helpful for speakers to state their names in order that the City Clerk may identify them in the minutes of the meeting. Always speak into the microphone, as the meeting is recorded. The City Council Chamber is equipped with a portable microphone for anyone unable to come to the podium. If you need assistance, please advise City Clerk Heidi Burch as to which item you wish to comment on and the microphone will be brought to you.

“I’m Adam Moniz and I’m a resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Indeed, you are running the meeting, just barely. I would like to note there is no such in the Carmel Code which prohibits anyone of you from doing whatever you like in terms of rounds of applause. We have to make sure we don’t allow our elected officials to think that they have more power than they really do.”

“I ran against Sue McCloud for mayor of Carmel a few months ago. During the April 2010 election, some candidates seeking re-election made what we all now know were undeniably false, or at absolute best, utterly misleading statements to Carmel voters regarding the validity of claims of harassment in City Hall. The pertinent facts can be boiled down to this: There was harassment. And that harassment was in fact tolerated. The question is not if any of you directly knew or actually knew; it’s that you should have known. It’s not acceptable to simply look the other way or choose to put your head in the sand. For elected officials are rightfully held to a higher standard by the public they are supposed to be in office to serve.”

“If any of you think that in voting behind closed doors to pay out over $600,000 you have somehow resolved in full this deeply troubling matter, your constituents have told you now, loud and clear, that you are mistaken. It’s time for accountability.”

“To all those city employees who have been forced to work in a hostile workplace environment, you deserve better. I am so deeply sorry for what you and your families have been forced to go through and for you and your families are still being forced to go through.”

“While this particular litigation may no longer be pending in a court of law, it is still very much alive and active in the court of public opinion And fortunately for all of us, the entirely of the jury, are the voters of Carmel-by-the-Sea. So, to quote Mayor McCloud, stay tuned.”

(Archived Videos, August 03, 2010, 32:05 - 34:10)

COMMENT:
• Adam Moniz has demonstrated with these remarks alone that he is more worthy and deserving of being mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea than the current mayor.