Extra

Betrayal at the Berkeley City Council (Public Comment)

Harry Brill
Thursday August 11, 2016 - 11:02:00 PM

A special Berkeley City Council meeting was scheduled this evening at 6 to vote on a minimum wage proposal drafted by a community and labor group and negotiated with Councilman Laurie Capitelli. However, only three Council members showed up, but five are needed for a quorum to do official business The three who attended the meeting were Kriss Worthington, Jesse Arreguin, and Darryl Moore. Max Anderson was ill, but he promised that if another member came before the meeting was disbanded, his wife would drive him to the meeting to assure a quorum.

Particularly troubling was Laurie Capitelli's absence, since he negotiated the agreement with those who drafted the proposal. Occasionally, unanticipated events prevent a Councilman from attending a meeting. However, this is the second time that Laurie Capitelli reneged on a minimum wage agreement that he agreed to support. Adopting the proposal is immensely important to low wage workers. Not least, what a terrible, demoralizing experience it is when a council member goes back on his word only a short time after he promises that he would give it his support.

Capitelli is running for mayor against Jesse Arreguin and other candidates. How can he expect the public to vote for a candidate when his word cannot be trusted?