Collins, Carrozzo mend rift

Angelique Flores

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- Tempers have cooled among the City Council members

since the Dec. 19 council meeting, when Councilman John Collins and Mayor

Guy Carrozzo exchanged harsh words over Carrozzo’s appointment to the

Orange County Sanitation District board.

The uproar between Collins and Carrozzo was sparked when Carrozzo won the

appointment with a 3-2 vote, kicking Collins out of a seat he held for

nine years.

Collins accused Carrozzo of securing council votes weeks before the

appointment.

Carrozzo didn’t stay silent.

“I will not sit back and have you take pot shots on me and others on the

council,” he said.

Now, the pair said the matter is behind them.

“There was no power struggle,” Carrozzo said. “I have no animosity.”

The day after the meeting, Collins approached Carrozzo at a luncheon and

wished him a Merry Christmas.

“The decision is done. My focus is to operate effectively for the

citizens,” Collins said.

Until last year, the mayor appointed the delegate. Now the appointment

must be decided by a council vote.

In 1995 when Carrozzo became mayor for the first time, he handed the

position over to Collins because, as a first-time mayor, he didn’t want

to overburden himself.

“Now as mayor for the year 2000, I want to do everything and get involved

with everything,” Carrozzo said.

Though Carrozzo doesn’t have the nine years experience with the district

that Collins has, he said he’s prepared to read up on the issues and

projects, inquire about what he doesn’t know, and listen to anyone who

can help him.

Collins said he will stay involved with the Sanitation District by

lending a hand to board members when asked. And Carrozzo said that if he

has any questions, he will consult Collins.

When the council has disagreements, it’s important the members don’t

harbor any hard feelings, Councilman Larry Crandall said.

“We’ve always been able to agree to disagree,” said Crandall, who is

hopeful that they will move forward without any hurt feelings.

And Collins and Carrozzo said they’re ready to move on.

“We have to put this behind us and look out for the people,” Collins

said.