Media Release From Betty Rexford
Media Release
From
Betty Rexford
11570 Creek Road
Poway, CA 92064-6113
There have been so many rumors, innuendo, and hearsay reported in the news media about the lawsuit against me and the City of Poway and the aftermath, that it is hard to separate fact from fiction. Because of that I wanted to tell you some of the facts that were never reported so you can judge for yourself.
rather than hold a press conference I have launched my own website so that anyone can read my side of the story. The website answers a number of questions including two of the most outlandish ones:
- Did I request the Sheriff’s Department to walk my dogs while I was on vacation? NO!
- Did I request that a fire truck be stationed at my house during the 2003 wildfires? NO!
The questions are ludicrous on their face and would be laughable except that some people lack an understanding of how the City Government works and actually think that might be possible. The Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Department do not respond to such requests – not even from the Mayor and certainly not from a City Councilperson. I have never asked for special treatment from either Department.
The Fire Department assigns fire trucks according to a strict protocol and makes strategic and tactical decisions on placing its assets to protect the City as a whole and not to protect individuals.
No one from the Sheriff’s Department or any City employee has ever walked our pets. When we leave town on trips we ask a friend or hire a professional to walk our dogs. The Sheriff’s Department offers all residents a “home checking” service when they are out of town. This service is obtained by filling out a form requesting it. I have occasionally made this request but, again, this is a service available to all residents and it is not a special favor.
The event that most defies logic is the City Council’s action after deciding to settle a joint lawsuit again the City and myself.
- A federal judge summarily dismissed five of six charges against me.
- The same judge dismissed only three of five charges against the City.
In my absence the City Council voted not to continue the lawsuit. Then, they suggested that I resign from the Council due to the “appearance” of impropriety.
The only explanation for that, that I can see, is that my colleagues wanted to deflect attention from their caving in to the lawsuit that cost the City about $500,000 to settle. Now, when they run for reelection and voters ask why they spent so much money they can say: It wasn’t my fault it was Betty Rexford’s.
I first learned of the settlement when the defense attorney telephoned me in Las Vegas where I was caring for my terminally ill son. He said that the City had decided to settle the case because it wanted to avoid a protracted and costly trial. He later told me that I should not step down from the City Council because I had done nothing wrong.
I wanted to see the case tried in court because I knew I would be found innocent of any impropriety. I never agreed to the settlement.
My husband and I were represented in the lawsuit by our insurance company’s attorney. We asked the attorney to pursue the case in court where we believed we would be exonerated of the last remaining charge. Unfortunately, the insurance company decided to settle the dispute to avoid a costly trial. So the facts that would have cleared me lie buried in depositions.
Please see my website at www.therealbettyrexford.com for further information.
Comments may be made in the Guestbook section of my website.