Anti-Graffiti Law OKd 4-1 by Council

The Moorpark City Council has passed a tough anti-graffiti ordinance over the objections of one councilman who launched another in a series of tirades against the new law and then forced the city attorney to read the six-page ordinance aloud before voting against it.

Council members voted 4 to 1 to tentatively approve the law two weeks ago after Councilman Scott Montgomery called the ordinance “laughable” and far too strict.

On Wednesday, the council was expected to review final wording and pass the ordinance with little comment--until Montgomery again began an extended attack on the legislation.

After assailing terms of the law, which makes it illegal for anyone 21 and under to be in possession of a marking pen or other graffiti implement, Montgomery declined to allow City Atty. Cheryl Kane to read the ordinance in title only and demanded that she read every word before the council vote.

“I want to be sure what it says,” said Montgomery, who also maintained that the law would burden businesses because it would force them to make some items inaccessible to the public without an employee’s assistance.

After Kane’s 12-minute reading, the council approved the ordinance.