I like to think I have a thick skin: as tough as a 77-year-old beach bum’s yellow toenails. As resilient as Donald Trump’s ego when confronted by intellect and reality. But sometimes things people say get to me—under my skin like a nagging cactus spine—even though the words may not have been directed my way.
When National City Councilman Albert Mendivil made a passing remark at this week’s city council meeting about how the “media doesn’t come unless it’s something that it’s…bad news” my eyes rolled so hard I still have a headache.
The sentiment is as inane as it is old and reductive. In many cases it is a delightful treat to those same people who enjoy the sweet taste of “fake news” rolling off their tongues.
Without going into detail, I want to remind Mendivil and others that one of the roles of the news media is to relay events—good or bad— that are happening in the community and world to interested parties.
Ignoring the bad news–or focussing exclusively on what is determined by those with money, power and/or influence as good and positive—is called public relations. It provides cover to those whose actions may do harm to the common good.
To be fair, Mendivil’s remarks came just before he praised a National City church for hosting a weekend carnival.
But they also came just before his council colleague Mona Rios asked the council to consider use of a third party to determine if Councilman Jerry Cano received preferential treatment by not being fined for building code violations at his home.
As reporter Robert Moreno wrote in a recent story, Cano was cited for more than a dozen building code violations regarding work on his backyard patio.
Typically in these cases homeowners who are cited for non-compliant work homes are fined. But not Cano. Not for five years.
He did have a letter of recordation placed against his property but the violations have not cost him a punitive penny. Not to this day.
Other people however, those who don’t sit on the city council, have been fined and had to pay their penance and absolution money.
But presumably those who bemoan the media’s only talking about the negative or bad news want the rest of us to ignore occasions in which the powerful and influential are treated differently than those who put them in office.
Even later in the same meeting Rios revealed that Cano had reported her to the city attorney for inappropriate touching during a photo op at Tuesday’s city council meeting. It was not the first time Rios had behaved that way, Cano alleged.
If Mendivil and his ilk want the news media to stop focussing on the bad news of questionable behavior here is a word of advice: encourage those around you to stop behaving questionably.
Thank you for covering this important story in our very special and close-knit community of National City. I am a 39 year old life long resident of NC and attend many of the council meetings. The incident you report on is one of many that the 3 men on the NC dais are connected to.
Look up NC issues surrounding the Welcoming City proclamation drafted by Councilwoman Sotelo and voted down by the 3 men, the motion by Mendivil which passed with the 3 men vote and ultimately create into policy – which now requires (3 VOTES) within the dais to place items on the agenda. This was a successful effort to obstruct the 2 female council woman (Sotelo and Rios). The 3 men vote to allow the puppy mill to continue in Plaza Bonita. Canos petty and ruthless motion (which passed by the 3 men) to remove language from volunteer position descriptions that allowed the volunteer to. E official NC badges. Important to note this Volunteer position was a special position called city Council representative. It was created and drafted by Councilwoman Rios who work closely with staff to get it legally sound and approved and only Councilwoman Sotelo and Rios have these types of volunteers. Mind you any Council person or mayor can have these volunteers but the men don’t you like to use this very innovative position to provide opportunity and mentorship to community members. Cano also made an ageist remark toward the lady volunteers when he was questioning staff about the position description. It’s all archived in the NC Council meeting videos on the NC website. And for the cherry on the cake The mayor’s close friends initiated a Measure that basically repeals the current mayors term limits which he is in his last year of 12 total and if it passes will forward him the opportunity to run for two more terms. Wait there’s more….. his measure is written to be pushed on the special June election ballot in order to get it to pass prior to Nov national elections so that he can run then. Staff reported this special election Will cost approximately $65,000 charge to the residence through Taxes. The measure and the $65k passed with a 3 to 2 vote. Guess which three voted to approve it ?
Thank you