By Bill Baker, J.D.
Editor and Publisher, The San Bruno Beacon
The above video clip shows San Bruno City Councilmember Irene O'Connell (who is up for re-election in the November 2007 Election) at the June 26, 2007 San Bruno City Council meeting. In the above video clip, O'Connell is attempting to make a motion to provide direction to San Bruno's City Attorney and Manager regarding the San Bruno Sales Tax increase that she wants to put on the November 2007 Election Ballot.
Here is the text of what is said in the video clip: Clip starts with Councilmember O’Connell making some weird hand and body gestures.
[O’Connell] (first word unintelligible) "the eh I think we should have eh the City Attorney prepare an impartial analysis which is par(t) I guess I don’t know how you want to do it Larry that’s part of my motion"
[Franzella] "why don’t you just"
[O’Connell] "and umm authorize anyone I eh I know you need to know who could"
[Franzella] "eh"
[O’Connell] "do a"
[Franzella] "actually, just for a point of clarification, tonight we’re only going to give you [the City staff] direction"
[O’Connell] "direction"
[Franzella] "any of those issues will actually be decided the next meeting"
Mayor Franzella continues and provides the words for the motion, O’Connell couldn’t figure out how to make, and then, after spoon feeding her the motion, asks O’Connell, “do you wish to make a motion to that effect?” O’Connell says, “I do”. Councilmember Ruane seconds the motion, and it passes.
For the purpose of the discussion that follows, I assume that Councilmember O'Connell was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, when she was at the June 26, 2007 San Bruno Council Meeting, and that she was in full control of her available physical and mental abilities.
The above video clip brings into question San Bruno City Councilmember O'Connell's ability to continue to serve as a Member of the San Bruno City Council. The primary job of a San Bruno City Councilmember is to help articulate City policy and provide direction to San Bruno's City Government, through the City Manager and/or City Attorney, so that the City Manager and/or City Attorney can implement these policies and directions.
As evidenced by the above video clip, San Bruno City Councilmember O'Connell does not appear to be capable of providing the San Bruno City Government's staff with coherent, understandable leadership and direction for setting City policy. It appears that she cannot figure out how to put her thoughts into words and has little or no idea about what she is talking about when she is able to put a sentence together. Is it any wonder why the City of San Bruno's financial situation is so screwed up with someone like Councilmember O'Connell on the San Bruno City Council?
It is clear to me that O'Connell is doing a great disservice to the residents of San Bruno and herself by continuing to be a Member of the San Bruno City Council.
In public affairs, stupidity is more dangerous than knavery
----President Woodrow Wilson
