When I was elected to the Encinitas City Council in November 2006, the council was a toxic environment.
Most of the negativity was directed at then-Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan — a fact the current mayor, Bruce Ehlers, was very aware of. He was her personal friend and had been her campaign manager.
One of my goals as a council member was to restore some level of civility amongst council members and to improve how the public was treated during council meetings.
Regardless of how I felt about them or their comments, I began referring to my colleagues not by their first name but by their title and last name to show them respect.
No matter how I felt about public comments, I gave each speaker my full attention and tried to understand their perspective.
I believe that, at the end of my eight years on council, including my terms as mayor, there was a marked improvement in the council’s professionalism.
Consequently, it is very disheartening for me to see the growing toxic environment and extreme lack of civility at recent council meetings. The vitriol is primarily directed at Councilwoman Joy Lyndes and select members of the public.
The bullying and disrespect have no place in our community. The community looks to the council for leadership, not petty and insulting false accusations.
Mayor Ehlers has the duty to set the tone for civil and productive discussions. I urge him to do so and keep this Council from returning to the past toxic environment.
Teresa Arballo Barth served as mayor and council member on the Encinitas City Council. She lives in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.
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