THROUGH MY EYES -- RON DAVIS

Huntington Beach Councilman Dave Garofalo gives new meaning to the

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Garofalo shows he’s got more brass than a military marching band by

asking the taxpayers of Huntington Beach to pick up the tab for his

$30,000 in legal fees incurred thus far as a result of the investigations

by the Orange County District Attorney and the Fair Political Practices

Commission for alleged conflicts of interest.

And as they say in the infomercials -- but wait, there’s more.

Not only does he want the taxpayers to pick up his legal fees incurred

to date, he wants them to pay any future criminal legal fees in the event

that he’s eventually charged with a crime.

But wait -- there’s even more.

Garofalo actually asked the taxpayers to pay any administrative or

civil penalties if he’s found guilty of any wrongdoing. That’s right, if

the City Council acted right now, we could actually have the privilege of

paying Garofalo’s potential fines. Gosh, I sure hope this isn’t a

limited-time offer.

Garofalo is certainly no prisoner to good judgment. If I recall

correctly, he admitted voting at least 80 times in matters concerning

people or businesses with business before the city who had paid him or

one of his publishing businesses. Although Garofalo may never have heard

of the term, lots of people view that sort of thing as a conflict of

interest, and that may be why both governmental agencies are

investigating him.

Garofalo also jumped to the head of the line in connection with an

option to purchase an expensive home from a developer who also had

continuing business before the city. The average Joe had to participate

in a lottery, but not “Good Judgment Dave.” That may be another reason

why the authorities are spotlighting the councilman.

Since he’s been in office, Dave’s gotten more negative press than

Elvis’ has sightings. In view of that, one would have thought that he

would’ve avoided anything that might attract public attention -- things

like asking the taxpayers to pay for his attorney fees and fines. But, it

just goes to show, you can never underestimate “Good Judgment Dave.” I

suppose his idea of keeping a low profile is wearing a plaid jacket and a

lampshade over his head.

Garofalo made his request on the grounds that if he violated the

conflict of interest laws, he did so while acting within the scope of his

duties as an elected representative. And therefore, the taxpayers ought

to pay to defend him.

Garofalo doesn’t seem to understand that the conflict of interest laws

exist to protect the citizens from their elected representatives. It is

not something to be ignored as part of our representative’s elected

duties. Violating the conflict of interest laws was no more a part of

Garofalo’s duties than embezzling is for a bank employee.

Even though our City Council wisely rejected Garofalo’s request, the

request alone tells everyone in the community where Garofalo is and what

his priorities are. He didn’t care that his wacky request would embarrass

the city and his council colleagues. The request did nothing to benefit

or protect the city or the residents. It only served to protect his

personal financial interest.

His request elevated his personal financial situation over any concern

for the welfare of this community. And isn’t that what the conflict of

interest investigations are all about? Aren’t these investigations

calculated to look at whether someone put personal financial

self-interest in front of the interest of the community? Hasn’t Garofalo

told us again and again that his right to make a living supersedes, and

is more important than, our right to insist that he abide by the conflict

of interest laws -- that he’s first, and we’re second.

And for those of us who didn’t get Garofalo’s me-first message over

the past several years, he just thought he’d tell you again by making

this ridiculous request -- a request, which once again puts Garofalo

first, and his council colleagues and this community a very distant

second.

* RON DAVIS is a private attorney who lives in Huntington Beach. He

can be reached by e-mail at o7 [email protected]