Conlosh declines explanation of malfeasance claims

Torus Tammer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- Councilman Chuck Conlosh refused at Tuesday’s City

Council meeting to elaborate on his previous claims of malfeasance levied

against fellow council members. He said he needed about three weeks to

compile information.

Last month, Conlosh made several claims, including that the city has

refused to investigate possible wrongdoing by high-level city officials

and that the officials also refuse to lift the ban on changeable signs

favored by churches.

“I want to be sure to have all the documentation I need, and that is

what I am doing,” Conlosh said. “The Concerned Citizens of Fountain

Valley are investigating these issues as well.”

But the lack of disclosure on Conlosh’s part did not sit well with the

roughly 80 audience members, who at times broke out in applause at the

mention of Conlosh’s issues. Some audience members, though,

intermittently yelled their dissatisfaction at Conlosh’s unwillingness to

elaborate on his claims. The commotion was compounded when each council

member took a turn confronting Conlosh to insist he produce facts to

substantiate his claims of misconduct.

Councilman John Collins said the fact that people are getting wrong or

partial information is regrettable.

“People are working with a portion of information and are making

accusations that are unsubstantiated,” he said. “We put a lot of effort

into running the city. We balance our budgets, we have great Police and

Fire departments, and to come out and blame the city employees about

things that can’t or won’t be substantiated is unfair.”

But Conlosh maintains that one of his main gripes is substantiated by

the minutes of a May 2 meeting where he said that he requested an

investigation.

“The minutes say, ‘Mayor Pro Tem Conlosh asked for an investigation

into the jurors allegations. City Atty. Alan Burns said that was not time

for a discussion on the subject as it was not agendized,”’ Conlosh said.

“I asked for an unbiased investigation here, and the city refused to act,

so I turned it over to the citizens.”

But amid a barrage of accusations and compliments alike, the council

patiently listened and encouraged audience members to speak freely.

“We don’t want to restrict anybody from having their say,” Mayor Guy

Carrozzo said. “I’m very approachable and visible in this community,

which I’ve lived in for a long time. You can come up to me any time.”

Collins added that the city did address every concern that each person

raised Tuesday night. They also offered, many times, to be approached

after hours.

“We are available. It’s just that we may not answer queries or say the

things that everyone wants to hear,” he said.

Shirley Andrews, who lives in Chino and owns a store in Fountain

Valley, said Conlosh is the only city official who has helped her when

she has problems with her business..

“There are untrimmed trees that cover the signs out front of my store,

and Chuck has been the only one trying to help me rectify that problem,”

she said.