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Title: YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK: 'Get sane!' Councilwoman Suffers Meltdown On Camera
Source:
WND
URL Source: http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=211501
Published: Oct 5, 2010
Author: Bob Unruh
Post Date: 2010-10-05 17:31:59 by Murron
Keywords: None
Views: 6226
Comments: 33
YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK: 'Get sane!' Councilwoman Suffers Meltdown On Camera (Video) An investigation has been launched into the behavior of a city council member in Vancouver, Wash., after she lost her cool at a meeting when citizens wanted to argue over a light rail plan, ordered one member of the public out of the room, ordered the council chairman to "gavel down" a constituent and ordered a colleague on the council to "Shut up!" The performance of Councilwoman Jeanne Harris is available on YouTube: Harris told one speaker not to address individual members of the committee, and when he questioned the censorship she appeared to be suggesting, she stated, "This is our meeting and we'll have it the way we want it." When the speaker again mentioned a council member's name, she erupted, "What are you doing?" She ordered the chairman to "Gavel him down. Gavel him down. Gavel down." Harris eventually left the meeting while it still was in progress, only to return after its conclusion and berate other members of the council. "You do not chastise me like that," she warned, prompting the comment from Councilwoman Jeanne Stewart: "You need to go somewhere and get sane. Go somewhere and fix yourself. ... You need to settle down." Harris' response? "Shut up!" A local television station's report on the investigation also is available: According to the Oregonian newspaper, Harris, whose antics have brought considerable unwanted attention to the city, was out of the country on a fellowship but issued an apology, stating she "behaved in a manner that is not normal for me." Mayor Tim Leavitt in a statement to the newspaper came her to defense, saying the videos have resulted "in more of a condemnation of Councilmember Harris than is deserved." But the newspaper reported locals are so upset they've demanded her removal from office. The investigation reportedly centers on Harris' actions that could be interpreted as failing to treat fellow council member Jeanne Stewart and others "with respect and dignity." Leavitt reportedly established a three-person committee to look into the concerns, and the results are expected to be presented to the full council. On the newspaper's forum page, there was little sympathy or support for the council member. "This issue has nothing to do with 'parties involved.' There was a blatant disrespect for the citizens of Clark County who came to speak and for Councilwoman Stewart. This matter does deserve the attention it's getting and more. The kind of behavior that Councilwoman Harris displayed should never be tolerated or minimize," wrote one participant. Said another, "Elected officials have forgotten who they work for, the people. Would ms Harris speak like that to her boss at her [place of employment? I should think not, otherwise she would be unemployed." "She WAS talking to her boss," added another. "We are the tax payers who pay her paycheck. … I really hope the people don't let this slide. She needs to be removed from her position permanently. Her behavior is UNACCEPTABLE." At the Plain Truth news site came this comment: "This woman should be thrown out of office for crapping all over the very citizens that pay her salary. She won't let the people say what they want in this city council meeting. This is the perfect example of what is going wrong in the U.S.A. Politicians think they can silence the people and continue to do what ever they desire."
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Vancouver Councilwoman Faces Penalty For Angry Outburst by Mike Benner, KGW Staff kgw.com Updated Friday, Oct 1, 2010 VANCOUVER, Wash. -- For the first time in the history of Vancouver's city council, an ethics committee met to discuss a councilwoman's outspoken behavior. Late Thursday afternoon, the center of discussion was Jeanne Harris and her behavior at a mid-September council meeting. She was involved in an outburst against the mayor and a community member. Later, she attacked a fellow colleague, councilwoman Jeanne Stewart. Video of the incident spread quickly on YouTube. Background: Outburst at City Council Meeting The ethics committee, made up of three city council members, did not hold back. They called Harris' antics on that mid-September evening unacceptable. "I don't think that was respectful to the citizens or the council members," said Pat Campbell. "I felt more of it was interference of a mayor trying to do his particular job," added Larry Smith. "I believe that city council member Harris' response to the public and her action was inappropriate," said Jack Burkman. It was so inappropriate, according to the ethics committee, Harris deserves a letter of reprimand and removal from all committees she serves on. Some constituents believe that punishment is still too light. "They're going to smack her on the hand, she's going to turn around and walk away," said Stephanie Turlay. "They will not stand up and do what really needs to be done." "She needs to go," said Josephine Wentzel. "If she doesn't resign she needs to be taken out, we need to recall her." It is now up to the city attorney and city manager to draft up the recommendations that came out of the ethics committee's meeting. The city council could vote on the final punishment as early as October 11.
#5. To: All (#4)
This is how this idiot acts with a minuscule bit of authority?!?!? Imagine what she would be like if she wielded real power? The citizens of Vancouver Washington should demand her recall, removal or whatever it takes to get her off the City Council. She is a disgrace and the City Council as a whole acts in a very arrogant manner and needs a wake-up call…. MY LETTER TO MAYOR LEAVITT, VANCOUVER MAYOR "I have just viewed the video of the Vancouver City Council meeting in which Council Woman Jeanne Harris apparently lost all sence of professionalism and decorum and acted in a very disrespectful manner towards the many citizens who were attempting to give testimony. I was struck by the level of, or should I say the lack there of, respect she displayed towards the citizens of Vancouver, and I must say, I was disappointed in your behavior as well. The citizens of Vancouver just put you in office, hoping that you would lend a higher level of decency, understanding and co-operation with the public than in the past administration. I was totally disappointed in your behavior at this meeting as you continually allowed Council Woman Harris to browbeat the speakers and talk to them in the most discourteous, disrespectful manner. As the Mayor, you have a responsibility to maintain civility in that meeting and you failed. You allowed Harris to continue her belligerent behavior at the expense of those who put you in office. That is intolerable and disgraceful. While I cannot vote in Vancouver elections, I know many who do who also have the same opinion I do. It is most likely, you will not get their votes come your next election unless you take steps to ensure that this conduct and contempt is never again displayed to the voting public. Did the voters make a bad decision last election? Maybe….." HARRIS EXCUSE PART 1 Harris Excuse Part 2
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Replies to Comment # 4. VANCOUVER WA. CITY COUNCILWOMAN JEANNE HARRIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BEHAVIOR
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