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Arturo Samayeo, requested City Council to encourage Council Member Leipzig to produce facts to <br /> support statements or apologize if the data does not exist. Mr. Samayeo proposed three remedies: <br /> public apology to all residents of Redwood City, resignation, face recall or strong campaign to ensure <br /> he is not re-elected in November. <br /> <br /> Lisa Maldonado, commented on remarks by Council Member Leipzig as being ignorant, ill-advised and <br /> divisive. Ms. Maldonado explained that people who take shopping carts are old or poor. Leadership and <br /> qualities of bringing people together are demanded and needed especially at a time when the ciW, state <br /> and country are changing. The community is here to stay and must work together and not attack and <br /> polarize people. Sought action from the CiW Council to reach out to the community. <br /> <br /> Juan S. Vilorio, commented that the community is improving in Redwood City and questioned <br /> contradictory negative comments. <br /> <br /> Menassa, supported Council Member Leipzig and expressed opinion that some of the previous action <br /> was politically motivated. <br /> <br /> Mayor Howard gave Council Member Leipzig an opportunity to speak. <br /> <br /> Council Member Leipzig thanked his many supporters for the support. Stated he never intended to <br /> offend anyone and could not respond to the misquotes expressed. Stated his goal is to tear down the <br /> invisible wall through communication; the glue that holds this country together as a nation is <br /> communication and a part of that is the English language. Reiterated his opposition to bilingual <br /> education and denied accusation of being racist. Felt he has always tried to work on common issues. <br /> Proposed a community meeting outside of the Council Chambers to sit down to work together with <br /> anyone who has concerns. <br /> <br /> Mayor Howard thanked Council Member Leipzig and noted a strong difference in opinion between <br /> some members of the Hispanic communiW and Council Member Leipzig. Expressed the need as <br /> Council Members to be responsible to all the people of Redwood City. Mayor HOward thanked the <br /> speakers on this issue and gave opportunity for other Council Members to comment. <br /> <br /> Vice-Mayor Ruskin indicated this is an issue he feels strongly about and that one group is not <br /> responsible for the shopping cart problem. He indicated the issue is not bilingual education and to <br /> ignore the comments is to validate them, thereby, creating a climate that divides the community and <br /> creates walls. He felt the comments were inflammatory and an apology was due. <br /> <br /> Council Member Hartnett referred to past practice of dealing with similar public queries outside of <br /> Council meetings as the appropriate course of action. <br /> <br />3. CONSENT CALENDAR <br /> <br />Vice-Mayor Ruskin pulled Item 3H from the Consent Calendar. <br /> <br />M/S Hartnett/lra to waive reading of the Consent Calendar, adopt the resolutions and approving other items, <br />excluding Item H, as follows; <br /> <br /> A. Approved the Council Study Session minutes of April 5, 1999 as submitted; (301) <br /> MINUTE ORDER 99-052 <br /> <br />REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES BOOK NO. 57 APRIL 12, 1999 <br />MINUTES Page No. 294 PAGE 2 <br /> <br /> <br />