COUNCIL ERUPTS; HERNANDEZ ISSUE LEADS TO NAME-CALLING.Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer The call by two fellow Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. members for Mike Hernandez to resign in the wake of his arrest on suspicion of cocaine possession triggered a war of nasty words and name-calling Friday. Hernandez and Councilman Nate Holden Nathaniel "Nate" R. Holden (1929-) served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1987 to 2002. He previously served a term on the California State Senate and was Assistant Chief Deputy to then Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn. questioned the motivation behind letters from council members Laura Chick and Mike Feuer suggesting Hernandez step down to preserve the integrity and credibility of the City Council. Chick and Feuer also said they would seek to set up a way for the council to discipline members. Holden claimed racism and asserted there is a ``Westside Ku Klux Klan Ku Klux Klan (k  ' klŭks klăn), designation mainly given to two distinct secret societies that played a part in American history, although other less important groups have also used .'' Feuer represents West Los Angeles
Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. ; Chick represents the West Valley. In an interview on the chamber floor, Holden described the two in various ways, including calling them ``hypocrites.'' Chick was outraged. Earlier in the day she appeared near tears as she walked down the marble corridor to the City Council chambers. ``The public doesn't hold us in high regard,'' Chick said. ``And when I spoke to Mike privately, I told him that I was angry and resentful about what he had done to the council.'' Hernandez was arrested Aug. 21 by undercover police officers who say he bought and used cocaine on several occasions. He checked into rehabilitation rehabilitation: see physical therapy. and returned to the council Oct. 7. He is scheduled to learn Monday if he will be placed in a drug rehabilitation This article is about the process of rehabilitation for substance dependency. For other uses, see Rehab (disambiguation). For other kinds of rehabilitation, see Rehabilitation. For the American rap-rock group, see Rehab (band). program, deferring conviction. Upon completion of the program, the conviction could be set aside. The maneuver would allow him to keep his $93,000-a-year job. Hernandez questioned the motivation behind the letters and suggested Chick and Feuer wanted attention. ``Maybe the media hasn't been paying enough attention to them,'' Hernandez said. ``They have to understand there has to be some compassion in society, and I'm not getting any special treatment. I know I made a mistake and the law allows me to go into rehab. ``What I'm questioning is their timing. I'm questioning their motivation. This is not the first time a council member has had a problem and I'm trying to deal with it.'' Councilman Richard Alatorre Richard Alatorre is a politician, and a member of the Democratic Party. Alatorre has served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council. He was the first Latino to serve on the council in 23 years. , who has been supportive of Hernandez, said he feels Chick and Feuer threw a cheap shot. ``They have no control if he resigns or not. Ultimately the people of his district have to decide.'' Holden launched the most bitter attack. ``(Chick) is running for mayor on Mike Hernandez's back,'' Holden said. ``She should stick to issues like crime and housing. And Feuer is a Westside Ku Klux Klansman. He is a racist. Based on his track record and observing what he's done. Mr. Feuer is a lawyer. He should know about due process. And Mike Hernandez is being lynched by Feuer.'' Feuer said Holden's statements were inappropriate. ``Race is not an issue here. I've got calls from all ethnic groups about this. What's at stake here is the credibility and integrity of this institution.'' Chick said she decided to go public with her views after talking with constituents and friends. ``I cannot, along with our colleagues, pretend that everything is normal as it was before,'' Chick wrote in her letter to Hernandez. ``Our staying silent is a potent message to the public that we condone condone v. 1) to forgive, support, and/or overlook moral or legal failures of another without protest, with the result that it appears that such breaches of moral or legal duties are acceptable. what you have done. It is not acceptable.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Mike Hernandez speaks to the press Friday outside his office at City Hall, after council members argued over a call for him to quit. Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. |
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