Now having thought some more on that one and only tape I was able to get from City here in Vienna, I can hear why they don't want them out and have allegedly stopped taping the meetings. First of all, I don't believe it for a second. Integrity, Morals and Ethics are not common words in the City Governance as far as I have been able to note?
But what was noted by me was that while the illustrious City Atty., was defending his client, Mr. Rapp and getting his dig in on my "lack" of civility was the "snickering of a couple of Council members. Now for that Council Person that had to be prompted in the earlier meeting referenced by the Atty., and myself; to use the right word when I got attacked for
" all you do is take notes and smirk" is too add grin, smile, quiet chuckle and now snicker. What prompted the "snicker" was the good Atty., stating that when he tells his child to be "civil", he understands. Well I would like to congratulate the good Atty., for showing that generational improvements are sometimes possible?
The beauty of this tape and what the City Recorder must have thought when a part of my comments were repeated in the earlier minutes is that the minutes in that instance were correct. It was done to make me look as bad as possible and about 65- 70% of what I said was not printed because it made for a " fair and balanced" comment actually weeks later showed up the lie that was attributed to me? I admit saying something similar to the charge but for sure NOT as insulting as I was quoted as saying. In fact, I will repeat my comments from that night. I said:
" Mr. Rapp, I will NOT attack you as Randall Rapp- Husband; I will NOT attack you as Randall Rapp- Father and I will NOT attack you as Randall Rapp- Neighbor. These would be personal attacks and I do not do that. But I will attack you as Randall Rapp- Mayor. And on your best day if you ever had a good day is that your Integrity, Morals and Ethics would NOT rise to the level where you could clean the soles of my shoes".
Now the good Atty., said in the tape that I said "Mr. Rapp could never rise to clean the mud off the bottoms of my shoes" or very, very similar words? One can see a balanced position by me and not the what I would even think very "uncivil" comment that has been attributed to me? There is a difference, at least in my way of approaching issues. What I just wrote is for sure at least 99% correct on my part. But this was the beauty of the Tape versus the sanitized/ white washed minutes. The Truth should be available no matter what it is if a Government Body is going to go after a person for one's opinion. In fact also in that meeting after I questioned the Atty., and Mr. Rapp on the violations of my right to Free Speech (protected speech is how I noted it to coincide with the SCOTUS on some cases); the good Atty., grabbed his Tablet and stormed out of the Meeting. Yet, I am disruptive? I think it was what is sometimes referred too as "theatrical"? When he finally came back, he commented words to the effect about " being a cranky old attorney". Counselor, I can teach you some about "cranky". As I noted above, maybe "theatrical"? Playing that tape finally; getting the FOIAs that I have on my allegation of attempted intimidation and my wife's call it is a threat one can see why the Public Forum was cancelled and the meetings are alleged to no longer be taped? In an OPEN and TRANSPARENT Governance as both Mr. Rapp stated early on in his incumbency and also by another fine example of leadership, one Mr. Obama, it might appear that OPEN and TRANSPARENT were the first two casualties of their respective regimes? The State Legislature should change the Law to require that any Government Entity must (actually Will or Shall to be most binding), tape and SAVE each for at least 90 days even though written minutes are made. Now let us see what three Delegates and one Senator say about that. I already know the Senator's position- NO BUT HELL NO. 'nuff said.