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[Cross-posted with permission from the garbaginati.org – a blog dedicated to defending Huntington Beach’s Ocean View School District – famously embroiled in disputes with Rainbow Disposal – from the relentless attacks of “journalist” Chris Epting. Vern’s annotations in brackets.]
First Impression
There’s a scene in Goodfellas, just after the Lufthansa heist, when Jimmy Burke tells his crew “don’t buy anything” in order to keep a low profile.
So what does Johnny Roastbeef do? He goes out and buys a pink Cadillac and jewelry for his wife.
Well, Huntington Beach has its very own Johnny Roastbeef, and his name is John Ethridge, (likely) active member of the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce. Check out this jem of a photograph:
From the left – Jeff Snow- Rainbow Disposal; John Ethridge; Joe Carchio- ex-Mayor of HB; Patrick Brenden – HB Planning Commission and Council Candidate; Dave Garafalo – felon & ex-Mayor of HB; Michael Gates – HB City Attorney; Michael Posey – HB City Councilman; Weikko Werta – Chairman of AES, chairman and chair of the HB Chamber of Commerce board; Fred Wilson- HB City Manager.
So there you have it, everyone. One picture, proudly posted for all to see, neatly and irrefutably tying current city officials with Rainbow Disposal, a convicted felon and the Chamber of Commerce in a very non-arm’s length manner. And considering the cigars and shit-eating grins, they all seem to get along pretty damned well. We’re actually surprised that this picture wasn’t taken in Miami at a jai alai arena during a Whitey Bulger-themed fantasy weekend.
Another thing we think that is very important to point out about this picture is that we believe at least half those guys are Charlie Jones’ handlers. [“Charlie Jones” is the nickname Garbaginati uses for Chris Epting in order to avoid Epting’s legal threats and his followers’ Facebook finking. – V]
You’ve got to be either really dumb or really arrogant to post a picture that essentially asks way more questions than it answers. As in – “How cozy is the city with Rainbow?” or “How much influence does an ex-con with a lifetime ban from politics have on the current city administration?” or “Why is Michael Posey there and how does his pro-High Density Development stance fit into things?” But regardless of stupidity or arrogance, the net effect is the same – these morons got caught with their hands in the cookie jar and we the people just picked up some major ammunition in the fight against being railroaded by greed and hubris. Do these people think that we are that stupid?
But there’s something else that really disappoints us – the fact that City Attorney Michael Gates is now starting to show up in all the wrong places. In the course of 24 hours, we’ve seen him in not one, but two regrettable photographs. You’ve already seen the first. The second one is him posing with Dick Cheney at some well-to-do function in Newport Beach.
Now, here’s why you don’t ever want to pose with Dick Cheney – everyone thinks that he’s either a war criminal or a poster boy for utter policy failure. As a result, being associated with “Tricky Dick Deux” won’t get you any favors. And speaking of favors…Mr. Gates, we realize that you are ambitious and would like to further your political career. But does ambition have to be tied to kissing dirty butt? We certainly hope not.
Huntington Beach needs some levity and some transparency in its leadership. We think that many people are looking at you to join [councilman] Erik Peterson in moving forward a new chapter in Huntington Beach affairs. Don’t let them down. With these two pictures, you are now currently batting 0 for 2. Luckily for you it’s a long season.
We have spoken.
where, when, and why was this taken?
who is _behind_ the camera?
Joe Carchio’s birthday party, turns out. Joe is the third guy from the left, and served two terms as councilman and Mayor. He is best friend and disciple of the felon Garofalo, fifth guy from left. He is probably running for council again this year. He will support anything the Chamber crowd wants, including Poseidon and just about any high-density development.
Good for you Vern!!! Great observations on the “star chamber” smoke filled back room dealings of these self serving city officials, who are intent on ruining the quality of life in Huntington Beach. We need more people to speak up & expose the shenanigans of theses fools!! Demand answers – follow the money.
Once again, I didn’t write this, I cross-posted it from the pseudonymous (though I know who it is) “Garbaginati.” Also, I didn’t expect this to get over a thousand hits so quickly, or create so much controversy on Facebook and elsewhere.
As I told City Attorney Gates, me and the author of this piece both like him and think he has done a good job so far, especially bringing openness and accountability to the City Attorney’s office. We just don’t like to see him consorting with crooks just because they’re Republicans. I’ll repost what Michael put on Facebook:
“For those wondering, and so speculation doesn’t “win the day” I attended Joe’s birthday party. I was a last minute RSVP and I did attend with my wife, in part, as a gesture of good will to Joe, particularly in light of the fact that he was not a poltical supporter of mine.
“I attend MANY, MANY, MANY events (almost every evening (and I often take my wife)) and I reach out to EVERYONE. I harbor no ill-will or resentment toward anyone who supported my opponent and ran campaigns against me. In addition, I am now all of HB’s City Attorney. I represent the City, zealously, but neutrally and objectively. I am not a policy-maker and my associations do NOT influence my job – period.
“With regard to the Cheney photo, I was at Gulfstream (not some fancy Newport Beach venue as suggested). Gulfstream is a restaurant right off PCH and is open to the public and I often go on Friday evenings during the warm summer months. I was there this past Friday when Cheney happened to be there.
“I think the circumstances within which these photographs were taken is revealing and I don’t want them to get lost at the hands of innuendo. The bottom line is, someone may not like someone in the photograph, but to suggest that is a poor direct reflection on me I would say goes too far and seems to eclipse all the good I have done. Thank you everyone; all those who have been so supportive. I would appreciate the benefit of the doubt. Thank you again.”
Sad. Go get yer picher took with a convicted HB crook and a war criminal and write it off as business as usual.
The HBPM reigns as now you can put the faces with the people. Did I see the WGM in the picture as it looks the Garofalo wing of the HBPM. You have the Chamber 3 and I will Resign Dwyer told me that CA Gates was not a Hansenite. Now we have proof. Highly disappointed.
*Sigh* Nobody knows what you’re talking about, Milt, with all your abbreviations. I know that WGM = “World’s Greatest Mayor” which is something Carchio called himself once. And I’m guessing HBPM means HB’s Political Machine?
What Gates is, apart from a city attorney who’s good with openness and communicating with the people, is an enthusiastic and ambitious REPUBLICAN.
And I know you divide HB Republicans into “Garofollowers” and “Hansenites” which is useful enough. (And excludes more independent Republicans like Sullivan, Peterson and Katpodis.) But what we see in these picture is Gates hanging with Garofollowers, so I don’t know why you’re talking about him being a Hansenite. You’re getting lost in your own jargon.
Glad you extracted Sullivan, Peterson & Katapodis..very reasonable people and open minded from my exchanges with them. What happened are there no Bohrites? and may I ask what defines a Garafollower and Hansenite? criminalintent in one case?
The biggest difference between the Chamber-friendly Garofollowers and the OC GOP-friendly Hansenites is the latter’s budget-slashing and Righeimer-like treatment of public employees, versus the former’s careless profligacy with public funds.
But both bands of Republicans love any great wasteful environmentally-destructive boondoggle, from Poseidon to the Banning Street Bridge to endless development including on precious open space.
Obamajam tommorrow and Friday in LA.
And wait for it……..Lou Correa is said to get a sip from the straw thats sots in the money cup being filled by Disney studio chief Al Horn.
Should be worth $100k in time…….On a side note, Bao is hosting Tostada Thursdays which is actually in the CD CA-46 District, But not in Ngyuen’s.
No word on what Joe Dunn is planning.