Sat, May 19, 2007

Video: HMB City Council ends anonymous appeals, considers firearms discharge


By on Sat, May 19, 2007

border=
Darin Boville

Tuesday, the Half Moon Bay City Council took up a couple of hot issues: the recent anonymous/pseudonymous appeals and the discharge of firearms within the city limits.

The city council changed the law so that appeals must be made in the appellant's real name and that only city residents or property owners can make appeals. This item was not on the council's published agenda, because it was enacted as so-called a "urgency ordinance". The justification was what city attorney Adam Lindgren called "preservation of public peace, health, or safety" -- which was threatened by the increased workload in City Hall. During the public comment, developer Keet Nerhan's attorney said he wanted to to make sure that false identities could not be used, so that he can investigate and challenge appellants' motives, which some people might think is a pretty good reason for allowing anonymous complaints. City attorney Lindgren recommended that, after enacting the urgency ordinance, the city council enact a regular ordinance with full notice, public discussion, and multiple readings.

Don't miss the discussion of the dog-shooting in Half Moon Bay. The first speaker, Jim Larimer, after his initial confusion about the issue before the city council, says that the city council should not pass any laws regarding unlawful discharge of firearms out of deference to people's deeply held beliefs about property rights and the second amendment. Also take a look at the documents provided by the city attorney, which says that it's legal to discharge a firearm in the city of Half Moon Bay to protect your property.

Connect with Coastsider