Posted on 06/16/2008 6:47:04 PM PDT by marktwain
It was my pleasure to help bring together various employees of Torrance. You could actually feel the love in the City Hall Council Chambers as they each received personal copies of the Federal Complaint. What made this so exciting for City Council members is that they were served both individually as civilians and in their official capacities.
Served Chief Neu at PD HQ after waiting for 45 minutes in the lobby while he was in an important meeting. Lobby officer asked me to make an appointment to serve him. Told her it does not work that way. I would sit for a reasonable time and if he did not come out I would go by his home later and serve him there. I like to be as accommodating as possible.
I went to a dinner at El Pollo Inca, in Lawndale which I highly recommend if you like Peruvian food. Went to Council Chambers at 1845 prior to session beginning at 1900. Client was with me seated in the back of the room. I began serving Council Members when I was promptly approached by the City Attorney who told me I could not serve them there. I attempted to explain Federal guidelines for personal service of process as he had apparently not received the memo. He copped an attitude and then walked away. While he was gone from the Chamber I managed to serve the City via the City Clerk and one Council Woman.
At this time the Chief, out of my line of vision directed the uniformed officer to approach me while I was on the dias where various Contractor lizards with business with the city had been standing previously. I was informed that I was not allowed up there. I noted there was no sign to that effect and I would refrain from doing so if it would make them happy. My client noted him looking past me for instructions from the Chief and or his Command Staff who had now gathered at the side glass partition.
City Attorney returned, having gained his composure and said he was authorized to accept for remaining Council members in both capacities. I told him I wanted a witness to that effect. I called the City Clerk, Sue Herbers over. She is a nice, pleasant person who did not seem to share the animosity towards me that seemed to permeate the room. I had the City Attorney repeat what he said he was authorized to do and I provided him the remaining copies and left the Chamber.
On our way for and at coffee my Client and I discussed the fact that the Laker game would probably not be the most important topic at home this evening for the Chief and his Command staff, let alone the Council members.
When the City Attorney told me I could not serve Federal documents in the PUBLIC CITY HALL COUNCIL MEETING ROOM I had a Doctor Strangelove "You men can't fight here, this is the War Room" moment.
All and All I came away with the impression that I was not terribly liked in that city at that moment. I was informed, I had attitude and I was not about to back down to a bunch of folks that are so stupid that when they send out the Application and CCW Policy, it comes with a cover letter stating it is there long standing policy not to issue CCW's.
Thats right, they tell you in writing they are going to violate state and Federal law with regards to your application. Sure made my job a lot easier.
I see our Webmaster is back in the provinces so we shall have additional information on this case up at www.californiaconcealedcarry.com in a few days. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to post them here.
In closing I must add in Gene Pitney style: "It isn't very pretty, what a town without a legal policy can do.......
Billy Jack (Former resident of Torrance. Who said you can't go home? I just did and it was sweet beyond belief!)
I’m lost
undecipherable
I believe the author served papers, notifying the individuals and the group that they are plantiffs in a lawsuit for willfully denying CCW permits to qualified applicants.
Thanks
not much of torrance is habitable anymore.
LOL!
Stuffed bureaucrats. I have a tingle running down my leg.
***I have a tingle running down my leg.***
You might want to have that checked out.
:p
I believe the City employees are now Defendants, not Plaintiffs (just to clarify). The plaintiff is the one who brings the suit for redress of a grievance.
Ya,....that’s what happens when an engineer strays afield.
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