Save Newport Real News in Newport Beach
Yesterday afternoon during a special session of Council, Councilmember Duffy joined Mayor Selich and Councilmen Peotter and Muldoon in voting to withdraw the petition to appeal the Woody’s verdict to the California Supreme Court.
Here’s the play-by-play:
1) Then-Councilman Mike Henn illegally voted to ban dancing at Woody’s Wharf (he had already shown his bias, and refused to recuse himself)
2) Woody’s fought the ruling in court.
3) The lower courts sided with the city (as they often do).
4) Woody’s took it to the Appeals Court, and the Appeals Court ruled that Mike Henn acted illegally, thus restoring dancing at Woody’s Wharf.
5) Diane Dixon as Mayor Pro Tem (vice mayor) led the rally with Keith Curry and Tony Petros to challenge the California Supreme Court in a hope to overturn the Appeals Court ruling.
However, good prevailed. Mayor Selich, Muldoon, Peotter, and Duffy joined together to withdraw the motion, yesterday.
What’s this mean? It means that Woody’s has dancing, unrefuted. And since the 40-day window has passed, this motion for appeal to the Supreme Court cannot be re-instanced.
I would like to thank Selich, Muldoon, and Peotter for their sensible and unwavering stances on this issue, and Duffy for helping them wrap it all up with a bow. They all did the right thing.
Shame on Petros, Curry, and Dixon for attempting to interfere in the marketplace. By their own RECENT votes, they have shown acceptance of the illegality of what Mike Henn did (by voting to legalize his actions in future sessions). How can one admit that it is illegal, and then vote to use taxpayer dollars to fight the very same item in court? We’ll likely never know the answer to that one.
But, feel free to dance the night away at Woody’s from now on. It is back in action, and– at least for now– they have finally been removed from city threats.
