Testimonials
Passing the Buck
Do elected officials have the right to protect their rights as private citizens? Apparently, four members of Poway City Council and Steve Vaus think not. The record shows that the developer who sued the City, a City official and Council Member Rexford violated not only City codes but also the conditions under which he had been allowed to build next to the Rexford’s house. Because the Rexfords were adversely impacted as a result of these violations, they repeatedly asked the City to enforce its rules. That was Rexford’s sin.
Now, the City Council, having rewarded the violators with $300,000, want us to believe it was all Rexford’s fault and have asked her to resign because of the appearance of inappropriate behavior. Never mind the obvious: a decision by a judge to allow a case to go to trial does not demonstrate guilt. Never mind that all of the numerous complaints brought by the plaintiffs except two were dismissed by the Court. Never mind that Rexford was not named in one and the other one named three defendants including the City itself. Never mind that City Council knew that a jury could have found the City guilty.
Yet, City Council and Vaus, aided by the media, have singled out Rexford as the villain, solely responsible for not only the cost of defending the suit, but also the $300,000 buy-off, a decision made without her knowledge. The unnecessary and unwarranted condemnation of Rexford by Council members has generated a feeding frenzy which has damaged Poway’s once enviable reputation. Shame on you.
Jerry Hargarten
Poway
As you may know, there is a lot of garbage, rumors, and gossip going on about Councilwoman Betty Rexford. At this time I would like to bring to your attention some facts that many may not be aware of.
Betty accomplished so much for the city of Poway. She lobbied for Poway to become the first city in the county to make the names and photos of registered sex offenders available to residents. She lobbied for the city council meetings to be televised and spearheaded year long battles for the arts, both performing arts and the fine arts. Many business owners in the Poway business park said that they were drawn to Poway because of the cultural arts, and Betty was instrumental in supporting the arts. Betty also was instrumental in negotiating with Kohl’s, Costco, and Wal-Mart to open stores in our community while she served as the representative for the City’s Economic Development and while she also served on the Poway Business Park Association. Are some forgetting some of this? Are some forgetting that Betty has saved the city a lot of money in the past? Are some forgetting that the community has reaped much profit with these additions of the big businesses that have enriched our general fund because of her perseverance? Are we going to allow the city council members to oust a long time, hard working city council member that has proven her devotion to her constituents by serving relentlessly for the good of the city? In addition to all of the above, Betty has served on the SANDAG Housing Advisory Committee, San Dieguito River Valley JPA, Goodan Ranch subcommittee, NAS Miramar Community Leader’s Forum and has also served as Deputy Mayor of Poway.
Also, For years Betty questioned some expensive projects the city had committed to and ruffled some feathers of those that were supporting those expenses. Betty asked for public support for any new city project that are not absolutely necessary before they were approved. Betty cared for the city and for the people that she served. Betty fought to hold the city’s costs on approved projects at or below budget while others may have been blindsided by special interest groups.
Betty and her husband Paul have lived peacefully in Poway for over 39 years and Betty has served Poway as a council member for the last fourteen years. She has served the city of Poway well; obviously or she would not have been elected for her fourth term by the people of Poway.
I am surprised at the lack of compassion from those that know that Betty and Paul have just lost their only child, their son, in September from a three year battle with colon cancer. I am surprised that there was not a little more support and respect for Betty on her return in October to the city council meeting from her peers. I would have expected more.
During the many years that me and my family have resided in Poway, I was very active in my community serving on an advisory board, and serving as the President of the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation. For over fourteen years I attended city of Poway council meetings and observed that Betty, for many of those years, was the only woman on the council. I personally observed her struggling to be heard with the other members of the city council on many subjects. Often I would leave a council meeting and wonder if they just were ignoring Betty or just choosing not to have her opinion shared on important matters. Betty was extremely good at listening to ALL of the people of Poway. When I served on the Green Valley Civic Association as school board liaison, I was very impressed at how she attended some of the meetings and listened to the concerns of the north Poway residents, though she lived in the south end of Poway.
Know that Betty has saved the taxpayers of Poway a hefty amount of money over the years. Before casting a stone, please realize and question how this can happen to someone who has done no wrong. If you want to look at waste of taxpayer dollars, look at the skate park. I implore you to look at the facts, scratch your head and wonder, as I am wondering, why is Betty being singled out?
Mary
Mary Karscig