WHAT'S WITH THE CITY COUNCIL? ROY L BYRNES , CITY COUNCIL MEMBER

Let's not over-react to the present fuss on the City Council. Things are being overblown. Here's the basic issue: Mr. Allevato, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Kramer (the dominant 3 Council majority) are hugely upset that the 2 minority members of the Council (Derek Reeve and myself) hold different views and refuse to surrender to pressure. It centers around the City “water factory” (the Ground Water Recovery Plant –GWRP) .

I suggest that disagreement is not necessarily bad. I believe that discussion of different, competing ideas is just great. The essence of Democracy is controversy—that is, two opinions which clash in the arena of ideas. As a result, a third better idea may emerge for the betterment of all. This all goes back to the 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant who used to talk about “thesis versus antithesis leading to a new better synthesis”. (Idea A clashing against Idea B leads to a better new Idea C).

Yes, at our last meeting there were the standard political diversions designed to distract the voters from next year's Allevato Recall Vote. So, I say: “Let's All Cool it! We should be arguing about ideas, not personalities ”!

Remember: Those who throw mud —lose ground

Let's all lighten up and find a little humor.: Here's something to make you smile: This happened to me at the Council meeting:

It's well known that I'm critical of the City Water Factory (GWRP)-- even though I recognize that it may have some good features. I feel it's too costly, too unreliable and not appropriate for a community of this size. But I'm willing to change my view when someone presents the evidence. Well, at the last Council meeting, one of the Majority Council members gave me an emotional dressing down for being “disloyal to the city by failure to support the water factory” . I almost fell out of my chair in amazement !! Upon assuming the position of Council member, I recall swearing to support the Constitution of the State of California and, indeed, I would have been willing to swear an oath to support the United States of America, or the Church or the Republican Party or the Bible or, even, Motherhood. But gosh! Do you think I'm being “disloyal” for not supporting a water factory?---especially a water factory that is gouging our citizens!

I have every belief that this season of political storms will shortly abate and the 5 City Council members will get back to working for your interests. We all have the same objectives. We all want to build a stronger, better San Juan Capistrano