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It’s a new day but with the same old political woes in the Inglewood community. The City is attempting to regain its footing on a firm foundation, however, the soil is still being watered with unfiltered accusatory liquid.

Last week the resignation of Mayor Roosevelt Dorn on Monday January 26th had the Council somewhat in a quarry and the meeting was conducted with Councilman Ralph Franklin as Mayor Pro Tem.

The City Council meeting this week was fueled with explosive accusations with Judy Dunlap at the helm as Mayor Pro Tem. While the official statement on the website from the Inglewood City Council reads: At this time, our priority is to ensure that the transition prescribed by the City Charter proceeds seamlessly, and that City services continue to be delivered at the highest level possible without interruption. The fiery insults make the statement questionable.

It was voted in a closed session that there will be a rotation of Mayor Pro Tem by seniority. For the month of February, the only female member Judy Dunlap will fill the vacant seat, Eloy Morales will serve in March, Danny Tabor in April and Ralph Franklin in May. Resolution requesting that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors render specified services to the City to conduct said Special Municipal Election to be held on June 8, 2010.

City Clerk Yvonne Horton spoke firmly to the Council regarding the election. She stated that although the agenda included a job freeze, it is imperative that her request for two positions in her department be filled. She elaborated on the fact that in addition to duties required to coordinate the special election, other tasks must also be performed. “This election will be done properly,” she stated. Horton also noted that she pays for her own travel expenses and has experienced requests being cut from the budget.

Under the request of Mayor Pro Tem Dunlap, longtime Inglewood resident and commissioner Roosevelt Douglas led the pledge of allegiance and Minister Tony Mohammed delivered a prayer. was replaced with a moment of silence. The room was once again filled to capacity with a standing room only crowd of residents, activists, businessmen and concerned citizens.

Perpetuation of the rally of personal insults that sparked additional fireworks was the agenda item CI-2 an initiative by Council Member Dunlap to discuss the investments of City and Redevelopment Agency funds. Apparently in the past, Mayor Dorn would deflect many of these internal attacks. Treasurer Wanda Brown used her allotted time to share treasury information to speak on the agenda items involving agency funds and investments. She adamantly validated her expertise. “There are 43,000 voters in Inglewood and I have served for 23 years. Managing $72 million with no losses,” she stated confidentially. She also listed her various certifications and degrees that far supersede the financial background of the Council.

Brown has completed a B. S. degree with an emphasis in accounting at California State University Long Beach and a MBA degree from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California Los Angeles. In addition, she has completed additional post-graduate studies in accounting at UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management. In addition, Brown is licensed as a Series 6 and 63 securities representative, a real estate broker and a life and disability agent.

Brown went on to say, “I report to a 7 member investment committee and prepares monthly and quarterly reports. This is just politics as usual in Inglewood. This is personal and Dunlap has brought four people to speak on my portfolio while she has lost her entire portfolio. I am more than capable to perform the treasury duties of the City.”

Although Dunlap stated that the item was not a personal attack on Treasurer Wanda Brown. She proceeded to verbally reprimand Brown for not presenting a treasurer report, function as treasurer independently as she has for the past 20+ years and for making investments for the City. Dunlap’s comment clearly were personal attacks directed at Brown as she stated, “You need to change your mode of operation. You have disrespected the public this evening with your comments. You hear her [Brown] say she makes the decisions by herself. We are responsible. She has been asked to pay back the loan, like our mayor who is no longer our mayor. How can we trust someone that doesn’t pay back her loan. I’d like my colleagues to respond.” This is not personal, it is your money.

After Dunlap fired up on Wanda Brown she then gave the platform up to Tabor who presented CI-3, an Initiative pertaining to Municipal Investment Policies. Prior to making his presentation, Tabor also stated that his report was not a personal attack on Treasurer Brown. Unlike Dunlap, Tabor did state for the record that Treasurer Brown had not lost any of the City’s money “not one cent, not even ½ a cent.” He also stated that, “ I do represent the City of Inglewood. I am not an attorney, but if we can do better this is not castigate and it is not a witch hunt. It is a responsibility that we can’t give away per the City Charter.” Tabor then proceeded to explain that comparisons of other cities reflected that many of them function with an oversight committee.

Tabor’s presentation recommended the establishing of a Financial Oversight Investment Committee. This committee would consist of: the city council (two members), city administrative officer, chief financial officer, a retail finance professional and/or financial advisor. The committee would be responsible for the review of investment performance, strategy and rate of return. There would also be an annual audit of Inglewood Investment Portfolio and rate of return.

It was evident that Dunlap’s discussion comments and Tabor’s report suggestions ignited yet another volley of fireworks as residents and concerned business owners spoke out during the last public comments. The majority of the comments from the concerned public questioned the financial knowledge of the council. The comments were searing and yes, often personal.

Councilman Franklin stated, “It is important to oversee not the individual, but in all the processes. We as a council are accountable for safeguarding our funds, check and balances.” He also stated that he wish he had Tabor’s report earlier and the treasures should have had the courtesy of seeing well in advance.

“It is important that we be transparent and move forward. The personal attacks towards the treasurer or from her do not benefit the dais,” stated Councilman Morales. “In response to the initiative we must determine how did it happen, does it affect different departments. Which role works best in the City of Inglewood? It is time to move on. We need to be reflective on how we respond to each other.”

Unable to resist one last sizzling comment directed at Brown, Dunlap asked, “She [Brown] has no legal right of investment per the government code and City Charter, right? She has no legal authority.”

“She has the legal right of investment per the government code and city charter,” stated Attorney Sanders squashing the condescending remark.

Regarding both CI-2 and CI-3 following the heated discussions it was decided that there will be follow-up with directions provided to staff.

Public Comments Regarding Agenda Items

Hyundai guy So many developers want to do business how about a multi-developer deal.

Mike – Why funding. Where is the money?

Felix Washington – I am appalled that you would attack the treasurer while the Councilwoman heads up a committee that awards her ex-husband 1.4 million dollars for a station that has no content. The City is being siphoned by her. She brings her group and they snicker like children. I run a studio and mentor the youth in Inglewood. Dr. Wanda Brown has a mentoring program for the youth in Inglewood. Where is the money going?

Matthews – Verbal recommendations payment of the bills. Give equal time for your payment of the bills . You have been in violation of the City Charter. Do you ever read it? With all the fiscal problems why spend so much time with paying out contracts.

Johnny Ingram – We must evolve from the crab barrel mentality where one makes someone wants to reach up and take them back down. Our treasurer has never lost a dime.

Mr. Douglass – During the jury trial, it was stated that she [Wanda Brown] didn’t vote for anything and it was ruled that it was up to her if she paid it back or not.

I’ve known Dr. Brown for many years and I appreciate you and as stated there are 48,000 voters and you meet the need of the masses.

– If you are going to have an oversight committee make sure you have the right persons on it. Two of you councilmembers have filed bankruptcy and one of you has lost 2 houses we don’t want you on the committee.

– Council needs to take notes from the Treasurer at least she debates and she has been right for at least 20 years. What’s wrong with you guys? We want to know who you are and where your campaign contributions come from?

– Why all these accusations concerning our treasurer? She is qualified. Raise your hand if you are certified and if you filed bankruptcy? Are you [Council] qualified?

– We’re throwing rocks at the treasurer and City administrator, while she, District 2, is going to get paid somehow. The pendulum swings two ways. I wish the City the best.

– Good job Councilman Tabor. The City council inquires who is in charge of our money. It may be uncomfortable, but how can we have any person with no oversight to control our money?

The council meeting agenda also included item CI-1 an initiative by Council Member Dunlap requesting that staff be directed to bring forth an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with Imperial Partners for Agency consideration on February 9, 2010. Although residents would like to see more of Inglewood experience redevelopment and enhancing there appears to be legitimate scrutiny of this developer. Dunlap has allegedly been known to create division among Inglewood residents on projects that will benefit the City.

Councilman Franklin stated that there is much miscommunication that occurs between staff and developers. He stated that he gets different responses from each, although he is asking the same questions.

Additional comments regarding the developers included:

Benbow – We have to be fair – we know that developers have been giving contributions to candidates but we shouldn’t give the developers anything for free. The council should be fair and really look at them. I’ve received calls some recently from someone losing money through this developer.

Johnny Imperial Partners This is a ploy, if it passes someone will get $$ out of it. You haven’t done anything [Dunlap] You have the big plantation mentality.

Minister Tony Muhammad – I’ve been a resident for 5 years. We [Imperial Partners] have done more and jumped through hoops. We want to bring in the 2nd largest J.C. Penny to Inglewood and 80% of the contracts are signed. Our funding is in place. I will be relentless and we will bring 4 to 6 thousand jobs. I’ll put my life on it. We are transparent.

Diana Sambrano – This City is still continuing to operate on a truckload of bad decisions. The community selected another developer with which we had done ongoing business and now they have moved on and we have lost money and jobs.

- I’m somewhat baffled with the redevelopment project since it has been 5 years. The land is blighted and needs improvement. Should we restart? We must bring in the jobs. I don’t understand the politics.

- I wasn’t going to speak, but Imperial Partners will bring quality restaurants, improve the environment, bring jobs, shopping and a better quality of life.

While residents anxiously wait for a confirmed the list of candidates to fill the mayoral seat that has been occupied by Dorn for nearly 13 years, hopefully the council meetings will include more progress and fewer fireworks. Will all four councilpersons be running for mayor?

Donald Clytus may have said it best, “This is an All American city in transition. Who wants to be mayor? I hope whoever aspires to this position will have no special interest and will increase the low voter turnout. Put someone who will make change other than consternation and empty promises.”