by Milt Jacobson

Mayor Butterfield should resign, especially after her alley-cat attack against a respected Superior Court judge in a formal city press release. The Mayor’s attack was also approved by Council Members Susan Withrow and Bill Craycraft following the judge’s overwhelming verdict against the three for multiple violations of the California Open Meeting Law.

Mrs. Butterfield’s conduct sets a bad example for our youth and puts Mission Viejo in a bad light. With the Mayor, it’s her way - or no way.

Consider a sample of her past actions. She spent tax money extravagantly on the library but left us with the same shortage of books we had at the old library. Following construction, however, her name was quickly placed onto the large community room. She consistently appoints secret two-person task forces, thereby avoiding the open meeting laws requirements which are applicable when three-member or citizen task forces are employed. There was the Vigilante fiasco, soon followed by the giveaway of one-half of the city’s sale tax revenue from the Mall to subsidize Simon properties, even though Simon was prepared to create
a Nordstroms quality mall without any tax welfare. And don’t forget she refused to offer voters the option to limit council members to two terms.

Mayor Butterfield’s errors, arrogance and secrecy are embarrassing to residents and are damaging the city’s reputation. Isn’t it time for her to go?