Feeding frenzy
EDITOR: Wow. What a feeding frenzy by the sharks at the April 24 Cloverdale City Council meeting, who self-righteously tore off big chunks of Cloverdale Planning Commissioner Shawn Bovee’s hide and reputation, and gnawed on them in a gruesome public spectacle. It was a hit job from the get-go and a first-rate character assassination. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer man.
It’s interesting to note that while Mayor Palla apparently didn’t have to give Shawn due process, he chose not to ask questions or investigate the validity of claims against Shawn. Why would he not be interested in finding out more information?
Also interesting is that two of the people writing letters and testifying at the meeting against Shawn recently wrote letters to the council, excoriating Shawn’s business partner, Mary Ann Brigham, in relation to their application for a cannabis dispensary permit.
Earlier in the council meeting, the “two touch” method of dealing with resolutions was effusively extolled; in fact, the council had used it just recently to reexamine the awarding of cannabis dispensary permits, to the detriment of Shawn and Mary Ann’s application. Yet Ms. Bagby and Mr. Palla seemed to be in a hurry to get rid of Shawn, and voted to terminate him that night.
What was the big rush? Why not revisit it as part of the favored “two touch” at the next meeting? Why not consider a 30-day suspension? Council member Wolter suggested waiting and seeing if there were alternatives. But, no.
Apparently Shawn’s biggest sin was that he caused some people concern when he bounded up the stairs of the CPAC room, at a council meeting on March 27, when a man yelled at him that he was a “liar.”
I don’t know about you, but I would’ve taken this rather personally. Shawn’s explanation was that he wanted to get the person out of the chamber, so they wouldn’t disrupt the meeting, and this person could yell at Shawn outside.
Those of you who know Shawn realize this fits perfectly with his personality; he wouldn’t want to be a cause of disruption. No one bothered to ask Shawn what his intent was in going up the stairs. Perhaps his mistake was trying to engage an obviously angry and agitated person. But, that shouldn’t be a firing offense.
Shawn is not someone to be aggressive and a threat. If you’ve seen him at council meetings, he is extremely polite and respectful. By all reports (except for the dubious accusations), he is a gentle, hardworking and respected member of the planning commission.
So what was this fiasco really all about? Was it an orchestrated effort? It did feel like it was prearranged, and no information was going to change the decision. It reminded me of the Iraq War: no matter what the facts were, the powers that be wanted it to happen.
In this case, Mayor Palla wanted it to happen; in fact, he placed it on the agenda himself. Was Joe offended by Shawn’s beard? His connection to the cannabis industry? His willingness to consider alternative ideas on the planning commission? Or was it just unsubstantiated accusations?
We’ll probably never know. But what went down at that meeting reflects more negatively on his accusers, and elements of the city council, than it does on Shawn. He didn’t deserve this. It should never have happened.
What did happen was unfair and cruel. Too bad Shawn isn’t wealthy; he could hire an attorney to seek justice. Who would volunteer to be on a city committee or commission, when those who do are treated with such complete disrespect?
Eric Neel
Cloverdale
Efforts paid off for our kids
EDITOR: On behalf of the Kiwanis Club, I would like to thank all for making One Day for Kids a truly magical day.
I was touched by everyone’s staying power when we opened early, stayed open after panic-inducing downpour, stayed calm and efficient during another downpour and stayed open late for the last family. Your commitment to this event paid off in a big way.
Thank you to our moving crew who picked up everything from storage and the Catholic Church who put it all back.
Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore came and read stories in the story time area, CUSD Superintendent Jeremy Decker took time out to visit us and a number of local celebs dropped by too. Key Club did a great job at the Save the Rain and Builders Club handled the stuffed animal and toy giveaway.
The only required result was kids’ smiles and there were plenty of them.
But let’s do the numbers. For our partners: We gave Books to the Rescue $120. We gave Friends of the Library $100. We gave Little Free Libraries 20 new books and a bunch of used kids’ books. We are giving Free Mobile Library 80 new kids’ books, two boxes of used kids’ books and five bags of adult used books.
We registered 11 kids for the Imagination Library. Registration for this preschool project is open to all kids in Cloverdale under five years old. Registration forms are at The Mail Center or email Ju***@Ju*********.org
Attendance numbers are a best guess but based on a quick inventory of supplies, we gave away at least 200 book bags, 350 to 375-plus books, and we ran out of Spanish books. Looking forward to next year.
Julie Carter
Kiwanis Club of Cloverdale
