There are quiet, dignified leaders and there are loud, bombastic leaders. The great thing about democracy is we get to choose.
Three members of Fullerton’s city council have declined to join those who continue to spew vitriol over the police-related death of a homeless man. Now, they are the target of a recall effort.
First, I talked to each man in lengthy separate interviews, asking why they said little in the months after the death of Kelly Thomas and how the tragedy has affected them.
Then I spent several hours at a recall rally next to City Hall hosted by talk radio personalities John and Ken.
While a supporter sold T-shirts emblazoned with a Fullerton police badge labeled “Termination Squad,” John and Ken condemned the councilmen for exhibiting cult behavior, for lacking compassion, for being inhuman.
Let’s hear from the elected representatives first. For some, it’s the first time they’ve publicly opened up.
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To understand people, it helps to know their background.
Fullerton Mayor F. Richard Jones grew up in Texas where he earned his M.D. He served in the Air Force as a senior flight surgeon and consultant for plastic surgery (think burns) to the USAF surgeon general.
After retiring in 1977, the retired colonel moved to Fullerton and started private practice. Elected four times to council, Jones has served 15 years, some tougher than others.
Still, he was shocked Monday night when he learned of the graffiti on a City Hall door. “Hit Man is hear (sic). Mayor Dick. You’re first. You’re dead.”
Like the other two councilmen on recall petitions, Jones has shared little of the anger aimed in him. But I have an idea.
In August, I wrote a column critical of those who call the police “murderers” and reminded that suspects “are innocent until proven guilty.” I’ve received phone calls and hundreds of emails, many supportive and many others filled with obscenity-laced anger. A voice message last week called me a limp-wristed, wannabe tough guy, bootlicking fascist.
My wife assures me I’m no fascist.
Knowing how such criticism affects family members, I ask Jones about the ripple effect.
His wife used to shop alone. Jones now accompanies her. His two adult children and two grandchildren are concerned. His wife’s brother suggested he resign, saying, “It’s not worth it.”
But at 78 Jones remains a man of convictions.
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Why didn’t Jones condemn Thomas’ death, speak out, apologize to his family?
Jones explains that council was told by city attorneys that making statements could jeopardize successful prosecutions of suspects.
Jones doesn’t point out the obvious – that his silence was to protect any efforts to prosecute the very police officers that Ken and John claim the councilmen are shielding.
Of the recall effort, Jones merely replies it’s part of the democratic process. “If people truly believe my ideas and my way of life don’t represent the city, then I should be recalled.”
Perhaps the most telling moment during the interview is when I ask about regrets. Looking back, would he do anything differently?
Rather than answering as a politician, Jones automatically frames the question from the viewpoint of a physician: “If I got there when (Thomas) was down and out, I would have said ‘enough, enough.'”
I ask again about regrets, making myself more clear. “Maybe I didn’t step up enough,” Jones replies. But he also points out how important it is for officials not to show a prejudice or bias about a case undoubtedly headed to trial.
After more than an hour sharing, the mayor reveals he has an adult nephew who is a paranoid schizophrenic, that his brother has to chase him down.
I’m reminded of an earlier comment Jones made, “And people don’t think we give a hoot.”
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Councilman Pat McKinley grew up in Minnesota, served four years in the Air Force and later joined the Los Angeles Police Department. With a master’s in business administration from USC, he served as Fullerton’s police chief from 1993 to 2009.
A by-the-book kind of guy, McKinley tells me that city attorneys told council they should think of themselves as judges when considering commenting publicly. “A judge,” the councilman says, “stays neutral until he hears evidence.”
With three sons and three grandchildren McKinley, 70, admits the ordeal has been tough on family, especially his wife.
“I really enjoyed being a police officer,” he adds. Of council, he acknowledges, “This isn’t fun, but I do what I think I need to do for the city.”
He calls Fullerton’s police department a “magnificent agency with magnificent people.” But he’s also not blind, as Ken and John contend.
“I look at these pictures of Kelly Thomas,” McKinley says in an even voice, “and I’m as appalled as anybody else.”
Of District Attorney Tony Rackauckas’ detailed news conference last month, McKinley says he was shocked at the details but felt the description of events helped people.
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Mayor Pro Tem Don Bankhead is the longest serving council member, having been first elected in 1988.
Born in Texas, he joined the Fullerton Police Department in 1957 after a stint in the Navy. He earned his master’s in public administration at Cal State Fullerton and offers he’s seen Fullerton grow from a town of 30,000 to a city of 130,000.
“I really love this city and I’m proud of my city.”
He echoes his peers about shopping with their wives as well as why he’s said so little.
“I know we were accused of protecting the police officers. But being in law enforcement for many years, I know if you come out and convict people without really knowing all the facts you’re jeopardizing any prosecution.”
Bankhead allows, “I’m upset over what happened. It should never have happened and it’s difficult to understand what caused it to happen.”
The mayor pro tem puts much of the fury in perspective when he says, “Sometimes it’s more difficult to do the right thing than talk about something you don’t know anything about.”
Which reminds me that I was going to tell you about John and Ken’s rally.
But perhaps we’ve heard enough of their grandstanding.
David Whiting’s column appears four days a week.
Contact the writer: dwhiting@ocregister.com
