Pot times July 18, 2005
English's Last Words
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1135/a05.htmlNewshawk: Herb
Pubdate: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 ENGLISH'S LAST WORDS
Source: Daily Republic (CA)
Copyright: 2005 Daily Republic
Contact:
drnews@dailyrepublic.com
Website: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1727
Author: Matthew Bunk
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm
(Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm
(Decrim/Legalization)
FAIRFIELD - Plenty of issues face the City Council this week, but it's likely
Councilman John English will steal the show at a meeting Tuesday.
English, who has said he'll resign after the meeting, has been at the center of
attention following his felony drug conviction earlier this month. He
plans to give his exit speech during the councilmembers' comment period at the
beginning of the meeting.
English didn't step down immediately after his conviction because he wanted to
make a last stand at a public meeting. Earlier this week he said he
doesn't know exactly what he'll say.
"I haven't finalized any of my ideas," he said. "But I do
want to point out some of the things I've done while on the City Council."
After that, the City Council will get on with the usual business of awarding
contracts and ratifying new strategies.
The council will hold a hearing on whether to extend a moratorium on medical
marijuana clinics in Fairfield. Last month, the council banned medical
marijuana dispensaries for 45 days to give city staff time to research legal
issues.
Some people have asked the city for permission to open Fairfield's first pot
shop, but a recent Supreme Court decision that reinforced federal laws against
using the popular drug has blurred a state law that allows medical patients to
use marijuana legally.
"The city expects that these inquiries will continue despite the ( Supreme
Court ) decision," according to the proposed ordinance.
City staff recommended a one-year ban on medical marijuana clinics in the hope
that it will provide enough time for the courts to clear the haze surrounding
the legality of such facilities. It will also buy time for city planners
to decide where those types of businesses could operate in the city.
"Some of the potential issues that must be addressed if the city chooses to
permit medical marijuana clinics include . . . number of
clinics, security, proximity to schools, churches and other 'sensitive' users
and crime," the staff report stated.
Also, the council will discuss a new Economic Development Strategy for
recruiting and retaining businesses. The strategy was due last year, but
has undergone several revisions that held up the process.
In general, it calls for more emphasis on redeveloping core commercial districts
such as downtown and North Texas Street. Until recently, economic
developers have focused on outlying areas such as lower Green Valley and
Cordelia.
Other items on the agenda include awarding contracts for road improvements at
the intersection of Dover Avenue and Air Base Parkway, at the intersection of
Travis Boulevard and Second Street, and to add a traffic signal at the
intersection of Hilborn Road, Lyon Road and the I-80 westbound offramp.
At a Glance
Who: Fairfield City Council
What: A meeting to discuss Councilman John English's resignation, medical
marijuana clinics, road improvements and economic development strategies.
When: 7 p.m., Tuesday
Where: Council Chamber at the Fairfield Civic Center, 1000 Webster St.
Info: 428-7400
