In his early writings Benjamin Franklin warns, “Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.”
An intolerant group in Newport Beach has initiated a recall against me because I speak my mind. Their list of “grievances” against me read as though the real reason that they want to recall me is because I am politically incorrect!
I have strong beliefs in limited government, reduced taxation, regulatory reform, property rights, and yes, I am an unapologetic Christian.
I politely and forcefully speak my mind but I don’t subscribe to political correctness.
Over the past decade, Newport has lacked robust debate. Unanimous city council votes have led to saddling Newport taxpayers with over $550 million in unfunded pension debt and the cost of our excessive city hall, a $150 million monument to political excess.
Our children will be paying for those decisions for decades.
I was elected in 2014 with a clear mandate to stop the city’s excessive spending. Frankly, their criticisms are based on my doing what I promised during the campaign. I know, what a concept that a politician actually makes good on their promises. My opponents are still bitter.
My political opponents want to stifle my free speech and return to the days over-spending and sweetheart deals for insiders.
A recall special election will cost the city $500,000. This recall is based on policy differences, that is what elections are for. If successful, this recall election would be heard sometime between November and February of next year. I am up for election in November next year. I look forward to running on my record.
The recallers will not intimidate me, I will fight this recall to protect everyone’s right to respectfully speak freely, whether you agree with me or not.
In my opinion, that’s the foundation of democracy.
Scott Peotter
Newport Beach Council Member
Mr. Peotter is trying to say he is being recalled because he is politically incorrect, because of his faith and because he is outspoken. That is simply not true.
He is being recalled because he has repeatedly violated laws related to protection of closed session information, campaign contribution limits, campaign expense reporting and the use of the city seal.
He is being recalled because more than any other councilmember he has been an outspoken advocate for high rise, high density development, not only in Newport Center but on Lido as well.
He is being recalled because he tried to violate the constitutional rights of residents to petition their government by making the Museum House petitions weigh 10 pounds and contain 3700 pages of unnecessary information.
Read for yourself the reasons for the recall at http://www.recallscottpeotter.com
People ask “Why not wait until the next election?” Frankly the stakes are too high to wait. Peotter wants to fire the city manager, he wants to delay projects like the CdM Fire Station and Library, perhaps for decades, and he wants to change the General Plan. With his high rise development vision, he could change the character of our city
Together, we can restore civility, focus the city council on city issues and move our city forward is a spirit of community. It is up to us!
How about we discuss the real facts behind this recall effort?. Does Scott have any answers for his supports when it comes to his personal financial disasters?
Peotter’s financial past brings questions of qualifications
The fact that Councilman Scott Peotter defaulted on his Ports Streets home and was compelled to move back to Irvine is well known in the community. What is less well known is that after moving back to Irvine, Peotter defaulted on a $13.7 million commercial construction loan and was sued.
In this case, Peotter executed a Commercial Guaranty on July 20, 2006 for $13.7 million. This was used to refinance a prior loan and to fund construction activity. By 2009, Peotter defaulted on the loan. In court documents, he argued that he did not believe the Guaranty would actually be enforced and therefore he should not be required to pay back the loan. The building was sold at auction for $9 million, leaving the lender with a $5.1 million loss guaranteed by Peotter. In his own court filing, Peotter acknowledged that the amount of the loan far exceeded his own net worth and capacity to repay, yet, he signed it anyway.
California Bank and Trust sued and in a settlement, our councilmember has been making court ordered financial restitution in the amount of $1,666.67 per month for five years. No wonder he has maneuvered to collect four public paychecks from the city, Sanitation District, TCA, and Vector Control District. Every dollar of taxpayer income goes to fund his restitution requirements.
This record of poor financial decision-making, and failure to honor his legal obligations is highly relevant to Peotter’s service on the city council where he has taken the lead in promoting policies that could cost the taxpayers millions and result in taxpayer liability for millions more.
For example, he has proposed refunding debt in a way that would have increased costs by $20 million. He has promoted the sale of the old city hall site that would otherwise be a perpetual revenue generator for our Tidelands needs. He has advocated speculating with millions of taxpayer dollars in the stock market, and he facilitated the appointment of his politically ally to the Finance Committee, a person subsequently convicted of embezzlement. Because of him, the city sewer system operates at a structural deficit. Many of us have made financial mistakes, but with a record like Poetter’s, we cannot allow him to do to the city what he did to his own personal finances. Scott Peotter should be recalled, before it’s too late. Please go to http://www.recallscottpeotter.com for more information.