SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS PROPOSAL IRKS HOLDEN.Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer Long at odds with his colleagues, Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. City 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. was publicly chastised chas·tise tr.v. chas·tised, chas·tis·ing, chas·tis·es 1. To punish, as by beating. See Synonyms at punish. 2. To criticize severely; rebuke. 3. Archaic To purify. Tuesday, prompting him to threaten legal action. ``You cannot keep me quiet,'' an enraged en·rage tr.v. en·raged, en·rag·ing, en·rag·es To put into a rage; infuriate. [Middle English *enragen, from Old French enrager : en-, causative pref. Holden told the council. ``There is freedom of speech in this country and you cannot shut me up. The public elected me and the public has a right to know what's going on Verb 1. know what's going on - be well-informed be on the ball, be with it, know the score, know what's what know - know how to do or perform something; "She knows how to knit"; "Does your husband know how to cook?" around here.'' What angered Holden was a proposal introduced by Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas Mark Ridley-Thomas (born 1954) is currently a California State Senate where he chairs the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee]]. He represents the 26th district which includes the communities of Vermont Knolls, Jefferson Park, Leimert Park, Hancock Park, Korean and seconded by six other council members that would limit to three the number of items from each agenda that can be deemed ``special.'' Such an item must be debated separately from other subjects. The proposal was sent to the council's Rules and Elections Committee for review, and Holden said he would go to court to block it if it is approved. Ridley-Thomas said he made the proposal to try to ``restore some decorum'' to meetings - in which critics say Holden often calls routine items special, thus prolonging the sessions. Other council members have frequently sniped at Holden, particularly council President John Ferraro John Ferraro (May 14 1924—April 17 2001) served as a Los Angeles City Councilman from 1966 until his death. Early life Ferraro was born in the working class suburb of Cudahy, California, just south of Los Angeles. , who has complained Holden has not done his homework on council topics. ``You know, when I was first elected, Mr. President, you told me to do my homework in committee,'' Councilman Mike Hernandez said, in defense of Holden. ``Sometimes, we call things special to bring the light of day to it. Sometimes, to let my colleagues know what we were doing on an important issue.'' Hernandez also questioned the number that was selected, since council agendas can vary in size from as few as a dozen to more than 100 issues. Councilman Hal Bernson, saying that issue should be looked at, also sounded a warning to Holden. ``Part of the problem is when you abuse the system, you provoke a response - a response that we might not want in the future,'' Bernson said. CAPTION(S): photo PHOTO Nate Holden Opposes council limitations |
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