Community Commentary -- Dan Johnston

When we elect officials, at whatever level of government, our

expectation is that they will make decisions.

When we vote for a particular candidate, we affirm that person because

we think that he or she will make decisions favorable to our way of

thinking or to aid and benefit our interests and point of view.

The expectation is that our elected officials will become

knowledgeable on issues and act. If they analyze staff reports, listen to

public opinion and perform their due diligence regarding various issues

that come before them, they get prepared to make a decision.

Then, when a motion is made and it is time to vote, our elected

officials vote “yes” or “no,” up or down, potentially right or wrong,

good or bad. It is in this way that our political system progresses and

evolves within the law.

To abstain, except for conflict of interest, is to not contribute to

the process and betrays the electorate’s confidence that our officials

will take a position. The public at large can equivocate by itself. Our

officials are elected to make decisions. A leader that is unable to make

a decision on an issue is also unable to help build consensus on that

issue.

As this relates specifically to the Costa Mesa City Council, if a

council member hasn’t had “time to digest” an issue, he or she should ask

more questions, and if still not satisfied, request a postponement.

If a majority of the other council members agree to postpone, more

time is allotted for investigation and analysis, thus the topic is

revisited at a later date.

If the other council members disagree, then it is crunch time and the

issue comes to a vote. A council member can vote “yes” or “no,” with or

without explanation, but to abstain (not participate) is a dereliction of

duty to act on behalf of the public.

According to the Pilot, Monahan and Robinson favor considering a

change to the ordinance pertaining to abstentions.

Why hide behind a change to an ordinance that has encouraged honest

participation since 1972?

Focus on the ordinance is focus on the wrong problem. The fact that a

council member is “not comfortable voting” is a poor excuse for not

participating and suggests a lack of preparation by the council member.

Costa Mesa voters elected council members who hopefully have the

capability and courage to act, not abstain.

*Dan Johnston is a Costa Mesa resident.