Garofalo rally is a no-show

Theresa Moreau

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- It was business as usual during Monday’s City

Council meeting. The much-anticipated, pro-Mayor Dave Garofalo rally and

demonstration failed to materialize.

The much-ballyhooed pep rally for Garofalo had been spurred on by

friend and business associate Ed Laird, who sent a July 22 letter to

friends saying, “I’ve had it. It’s time we showed a little character....

Dave has been there for hundreds of local businessmen and women and

thousands of local residents.

“What they are doing to Dave today,” Laird wrote, “they could do to

you tomorrow.”

An extra police officer was assigned to the meeting to maintain order,

if necessary.

It was much ado about nothing.

Right before the public comments portion of the meeting, Garofalo

issued a request: “If you’re going to speak on my behalf, I ask you not

to do it.”

And no one did.

One person pulled a request to speak before the City Council, and that

individual was not there on Garofalo’s behalf, said City Clerk Connie

Brockway.

And as he has twice before, Garofalo abstained from voting on The

Crossings mall redevelopment project. Developer Ezralow Retail Properties

sought the council’s approval for a drive-through Krispy Kreme doughnut

shop.

Garofalo not only abstained from voting, but he also left the room

while the business was being discussed. When the developer last appeared

before the council, on July 17, Garofalo orchestrated the discussion.

Councilman Dave Sullivan said he was pleased the mayor stepped away

from the dais and allowed Councilwoman Pam Julien to run the meeting.

“It was appropriate,” Sullivan said. “He was advised to abstain, and

he did.”

Garofalo has said he will not resign from the City Council, and during

a recently televised interview on KOCE-TV’s “Real Orange” program, he

repeated his promise.

“I’m staying here to the end,” he vowed.