Friends, long time community activist Steve Baxter wrote a must-read letter that was published in one of Fullerton’s up-and-coming blogs, The Fullertonian. Enjoy!
For a period of time I knew the man six Fullerton officers killed last July. His name was Kelly Thomas and I liked him. As I was walking to my car in the Fullerton Ralphs shopping center, a man, when seeing my “Justice for Kelly” button, said to me that if I cared this much about Kelly when he was alive, he would still be alive. I was pretty baffled at that statement, but then I saw the “NO RECALL! FULLERTON IS NOT FOR SALE” sticker on the back of this big boy’s Jazzy Jeff scooter and it all made imperfect sense. “Hey brother,” I yelled, “just because you …..” That’s as far as I got before I knew it was not worth it. Besides, you don’t look very dignified yelling at someone who is relegated to a scooter.
I know that Kelly was loved by his family, and I know that Kelly was welcome to stay at any number of relatives’ homes, and for periods of time, he did. I know what six of our police officers did to him, and I know how Dick Jones, Don Bankhead and Pat McKinley, the three councilmen now facing a recall, reacted publicly to his death. Their lack of urgency, their lack of outrage, and the insensitive treatment to Kelly’s family, after what in my mind may be the most shameful 10 minutes in this city’s history, rises well beyond what even I expected from these three men. I’ve witnessed their disdain for the victim and his supporters firsthand at many council meetings. I witnessed it again watching TV interviews, where their ignorance was broadcast across the county. These old mens’ desperate need for order trumped any need for truth. They lied and tried to spin the story at every opportunity, at times to ridiculous proportions. Dick Jones even tried to diminish Kelly’s injuries by saying he had seen worse in Vietnam. When the DMZ becomes the go-to reference point for downtown Fullerton, we have a serious problem. In light of this, the “NO RECALL! FULLERTON IS NOT FOR SALE” signs mean nothing to me.
#1 by Friendly Neighbor on April 2, 2012
Bravo Bax! Well said.
#2 by truthseeker on April 2, 2012
Where are we after 20 years? So far down the whole and no way out with a well oiled law suit machine running 24 hour shifts. What will it take to wake people up? Maybe when prop 13( and don’t kid yourself as they have been working on carving it up for years) gets repealed and the occupants of the hill are no longer occupants of the hill they will realize as they are sleeping on the benches what kind of a monster they have created with their blatant stupidity. In the meantime we that are awake pass and will rejoice when the Jacarandas are in full bloom.
#3 by The Fullerton Savage on April 2, 2012
Thank you Bushido-San.
#4 by DQ on April 2, 2012
Very well stated!
#5 by Barry Levinson on April 2, 2012
Anyone paying attention knows that all three councilmen being recalled have records that are indefensible!
Every Fullerton registered voter from far far left to far far right must ask themselves at least one question before they give their vote to any candidate.
Since the 2010 election, what has that candidate done to put Fullerton back on track financially, ethically, legally, etc.
If your first choice for council has been a “no show” since November 2010, please do not vote for him or her.
We need leaders who lead all the months of the year not those who decide to throw their hats in the ring when they see a chance to get elected.
Real civic leaders speak out on all the issues facing Fullerton even in non-election years!
We need leaders with integrity, guts, brains and determination.
Those of you who follow this blog know who the real leaders are in this community.
Please help us get real leaders elected this June 5 by informing all your Fullerton friends and family about making this year’s vote the most meaningful in all of Fullerton’s history
#6 by The Fullerton Harpoon on April 2, 2012
I guess you are referring to Doug Chaffee.
Yes, where has Chaffee been when it counted? Like many of the other geriatric old-time lefties he was hiding when he should have been on the street corner.
#7 by Vernon Dozier on April 2, 2012
Chaffee seems to be treating this as just another election.
I couldn’t help but notice that Marty Burbank is on his list of endorsements. Say it isn’t so, Marty…
#8 by Fred Alcazar on April 2, 2012
An insider told me that Ackerman was backing Chaffee, too!
That’s hilarious. Doug Chaffee the Great White Hope of Fullerton’s repuglicans!
#9 by truthseeker on April 2, 2012
A few faded signs appeared this weekend. Fortunately after June we will no longer have to look at that particular seven letter sequence of the English language appearing on signage in my neighborhood in front yards, on light poles or fences or fliers in mail boxes. This one is “grass roots” baby and fortunately for Fullerton the “roundup” only works on the super-weeds.
#10 by Fullerton Rudy on April 3, 2012
Chaffee is using old signs from 2010 he kept as souvenirs of his last gasp.
#11 by Anonymous on April 3, 2012
You got that right.
#12 by The Fullerton Watcher on April 2, 2012
Who is Marty Burbank and what makes him relevant?
#13 by Fullerton Lover on April 2, 2012
I also saw that Doug Chaffe is endorsed by all of the schools tools like Pam Keller, Minard Duncan and SSSSSSharon Quirk SSSSSSSSSilva….throw in former City Manager, Chris Meyer, and I can already see that pension reform with Doug Chaffee on the City Council will be off the table. I also saw a Rotary Club affiliation with Doug Chaffe;s name next to it which tells me a lot about his allegiance also.
#14 by cg on April 2, 2012
Barry, give me a break!!!! Who’s been blowing bubbles up your ass?
“Real civic leaders speak out on all the issues facing Fullerton even in non-election years!
We need leaders with integrity, guts, brains and determination.”
Most of these of people that you are dreaming about, do not have a oz. of integrity. They do know how, to blow bubbles. But, you can keep dreaming…..
#15 by Wrong Guy on April 2, 2012
LOL: “They do know how, to blow bubbles. But, you can keep dreaming…..”
Damn CG, THAT was legendary; especially after a couple of cocktails.
#16 by streets of fullerton on April 2, 2012
There is some office space up for lease at the train depot.This would be a great spot for recall headquarters for a while till the place gets leased.This office could provide information and volunteer services which would promote the changes needed to improve the community and the downtown. This location could also house an information service for the homeless and provide
resorces for the needy.
#17 by Vernon Dozier on April 2, 2012
LOL
Do you know what the landlord and the owner of this website have in common?
#18 by John Doe on April 2, 2012
He is not going to let you use it for free. Good luck. The homeless is not part of his agenda.
#19 by The Fullerton Harpoon on April 2, 2012
No they’re over at your house where you are living the mantra if you had worried about Kelly while he was still alive…
#20 by andy anderson on April 2, 2012
the homeless ARE not part of his agenda. Check your grammar before posting idiotic statements….you idiot
#21 by John Doe on April 2, 2012
Havent you heard of ebonics pendejo?
#22 by Wrong Guy on April 3, 2012
I thought it was bendeko…Cheech & Chong style.
#23 by merijoe on April 3, 2012
Yes, Ye old abusive fool, I have heard of ebonics-what does that have to do with your grammar challenged post above (“He is not going to let you use it for free. Good luck. The homeless is not part of his agenda.”) ?
#24 by Chris Thompson on April 2, 2012
His endorsements list looks remarkably similar to three other guys I know.
#25 by Fred Alcazar on April 2, 2012
Exactly. It’s rather odd that these characters confuse the idea of endorsing Chaffee and opposing the act that would make his candidacy successful. Still, it’s good for the Recall and that’s the main thing.
#26 by The Fullerton Savage on April 2, 2012
It’s called hypocrisy, or opportunism? Any other suitable adjectives come to mind?
#27 by The Fullerton Harpoon on April 2, 2012
Knot 2 brite?
#28 by Fred Alcazar on April 2, 2012
It’s the old Cruz Bustamante Conundrum.
Vote no on the recall but vote for me in the recall.
How’d that work out for him.
#29 by merijoe on April 2, 2012
insert *smiley face with teeth bucked out like a horse*
#30 by Timmothy Leary on April 2, 2012
3 shootings this weekend in Fullerton, a more gentle, kinder police force is emerging. The crooks know it and are making the best of it. More shootings, more death for this too is Fullertons future.
#31 by The Fullerton Harpoon on April 2, 2012
Blame the Three Bind Mice for the violence, not incompetent cops.
#32 by Anonymous on April 2, 2012
More crime? The obvious solution is to beat a few more homeless people to death.
#33 by truthseeker on April 2, 2012
Keep licking the stamps and keep licking the boots and between the two you will find your nirvana.You need to be careful at the gym however as the Lysergic Acid Diethylamide is fat soluble and will be re-released from your adipose cells back into your bloodstream. This could send your mind right back to July 5th with the exception that your trip will be that you are on the receiving end of the high voltage and deep tissue massage. Better talk to the D.A.R.E. officer on duty. You should say nope to dope and ugh to drugs Tim.
#34 by cg on April 2, 2012
Only goes to show you, that all the FPD, have lost there honor…..Just the wounded left….
#35 by Go FFFF on April 2, 2012
The recall is Fullerton’s only hence to start fresh!
#36 by Shimon Mendel on April 3, 2012
Recall not enough. Need Dept of Justice to step in, make a determination of systemic civil rights violations in FPD, then have a Federal judge oversee FPD for a decade.
#37 by Wrong Guy on April 3, 2012
“Goodrich is the biggest liar. Don Bankhead is the biggest nothing, and Dick Jones is the biggest steaming pile of Dick Jones any of us have ever stepped in.”
LOL
Great write up Mr. Baxter!