The harshest criticism I have ever had for the city council came not in a post but at the November 23 meeting (the one before last). I expressed my frustration in the wake of the devastating news that the Sycamore North project was bankrupting the redevelopment agency’s budget…

The councilmembers each responded with excuses as to why no one should blame them, and I returned to the podium (at 4:40 mark) to remind them that accountability is part of their job.

The council took that to another level on Tuesday evening. They would much rather be in the dark entirely.

My prepared remarks:

I’m disheartened by the facts that now surround the Sycamore North project and the negative effect it will have on other projects. I’m also confused and alarmed by this council’s lack of awareness and understanding on the subject. And it has put me in a position to question the intellectual curiosity and fortitude of this body and its ability to make decisions on issues facing the city.

At some point in the past four years, it seems this council changed its role as representatives of the community to representatives of Nelson Oliva and his company. And we are now paying the price.

Residents deserve to know who they can trust in their city government — not on an emotional level, but on an intellectual level. Although two councilmembers were recently defeated, three will remain. What was your plan? Why did it take an outsider to discover this problem?

Note: I learned from this experience that I should shave before appearing on camera, and that I shouldn’t make up nonsensical phrases, like “castigate blame,” just because it sounds right; it’s not. (That is what I get, I guess, for deviating from script.)