The jury’s in and the lawyers won, but not without some pain. Reporter David Haldane explains…
Twentynine Palms last night held its nose and swallowed a bitter pill; district-based elections.
“It’s wrong and it’s been wrong since the beginning.”
That’s Councilman John Cole expressing the sentiments of the entire Council and virtually every citizen who spoke on the matter at a series of
public hearings. The issue was sparked by a law firm’s threat to sue should the city not comply with a new state law mandating the change. At last
night’s meeting, the Council reluctantly agreed 4-0 with one Councilman absent. But not before a final gesture by the law firm adding insult to injury; a $30,000 bill for legal services rendered.
In other business, the Council learned that local Sheriff’s deputies have trained with detailed school maps to respond to active shooters. The
information was part of a school safety officer’s report following the fatal carnage in Parkland, Florida, two weeks ago.
