Commissioner John Villarreal Loses Composure, Disrespects First Amendment

Commissioner John Villarreal visited Linear Park today and made a fool of himself. If John were a political official in Iran, Pakistan, Liberia or Saudi Arabia, his actions would have been appropriate, but our country's set of laws have to align with a carefully written Constitution. That is what John disrespected today~our country's Constitution which protects an individual's right to free speech~popular or not.

What John did was block a representative of CAVA, Citizens Against Voter Abuse from stating her views in a public park and disseminating information about her group.

Before going further, let me quote John's exact words detailing his experience today at Linear Park:

"Just got back from Earth Day at Linear Park. I was pleased to see such a great turnout. Kids running around, live music, and great food. On another note, I was very much disturbed to see a booth set up for political purposes. This is a public event in a public park paid by you, the citizens, not candidates running for office. This so-called advocacy group is the same one that made me sign an agreement stating I would not hire politiqueras. I did not need an agreement but I accepted since the "purpose" was aligned with my values in running a fair campaign. This same advocacy group decided to endorse my opponent and guess what? In the end, my opponent obtained 97 mail-in votes while I only had 10. You tell me who used politiqueras. Please beware of these groups as they are clearly hired by candidates to bad mouth their opponents. Also, please let this group, and and other for that matter, know that you want your tax payer dollars spent on public events and not to provide them with a venue to distribute their junk. Thanks- John Villarreal

Perhaps what John wrote above makes perfect sense to you, but let's analyze his comments. Notice this phrase from the commissioner:

"This so-called voter advocacy group is the same one that made me sign an agreement stating I would not hire politiqueras. I did not need any agreement but I accepted since the "purpose" was aligned with my values in running a fair campaign."

John, John. No one "made" you sign anything. No one put a gun to your head. It was simply an opportunity to show the voters how you operate. If that wasn't a core belief, you shouldn't have signed. You're a grown man.

Admit it, John. You saw someone who didn't support you, speaking out and distributing materials. That angered you and you used your position as a commissioner to block that person from activity that is Constitutionally protected. You overstepped your authority with arrogance and ill will. Let me use an analogy to illustrate. I know your family is devout Catholic. What if a Mennonite, a Jehovah's Witness or a Satanist is talking about their beliefs in a public park or even handing out printouts detailing their belief system? Is that illegal or protected under our Constitution? Think about it. This country was initially populated and founded by those who were not allowed individual beliefs in their country of origin. This country proved to be a haven for these individuals and their diverse beliefs.

When we try to block an individual from disseminating information and expressing their beliefs, we dishonor our country and those who have fought to preserve these freedoms.

SOME ADDED THOUGHTS IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ON MY FB PAGE

I'll probably write more in depth about this incident, especially after I get more information, but it's very revealing to go back and read the rant John Villarreal wrote on his FB page after the incident, so I will post it here:

"Just got back from Earth Day at Linear Park. I was pleased to see such a great turnout. Kids running around, live music, and great food. On another note, I was very much disturbed to see a booth set up for political purposes. This is a public event in a public park paid by you, the citizens, not candidates running for office. This so-called advocacy group is the same one that made me sign an agreement stating I would not hire politiqueras. I did not need an agreement but I accepted since the "purpose" was aligned with my values in running a fair campaign. This same advocacy group decided to endorse my opponent and guess what? In the end, my opponent obtained 97 mail-in votes while I only had 10. You tell me who used politiqueras. Please beware of these groups as they are clearly hired by candidates to bad mouth their opponents. Also, please let this group, and and other for that matter, know that you want your tax payer dollars spent on public events and not to provide them with a venue to distribute their junk. Thanks- John Villarreal"

Notice that John recognized this woman, Mary Helen Flores, as someone who supported his opponent, Tony Zavaleta, in the last election. His interaction with her was based on political spite, not the appropriate relationship between a city official and a city resident. The irony is that last May 29 Nena and I stood all day in Washington Park, holding signs, handing out push cards and talking to people about John. What if Tony Zavaleta had won the election and a year later had spotted Nena and I talking about voter abuse or even diabetes awareness and became enraged? What I want people to see is that John's motivation was wrong. He was the onepoliticizing this situation. Otherwise, why even mention the last election? He did because that was what set him off.

Do you want to live in a country where public officials deal with you based on who you voted for or supported in the last election? What if you went before a judge who made it obvious in his handling your case that he viewed you as somone who had supported his opponent? That's why the way John handled this situation is fundamentally wrong regardless of who is technically right in the matter.

Please notice also that Villarreal referred to the materials the lady was passing out a "junk". That shows that he was more concerned with who the person was than what she was doing. He would not refer to his campaign materials from last year or the barbacoa he sells as "junk". He simply lost his composure, allowing his personal feelings to override the dignity he should display as an elected official.

John also misrepresents what this woman was actually doing with these words:

"I was very much disturbed to see a booth set up for political purposes. This is a public event in a public park paid by you, the citizens, not candidates running for office"

John was incorrect here. According to Ms. Flores, the fliers mentioned no candidate, just facts about the election code relative to voter abuse. Again, it's John who's fixated on candidates, politics.

John continues: "Please beware of these groups as they are clearly hired by candidates to bad mouth their opponents."

John is making an assumption and asks us to accept his assumption as fact. Who are "these groups"? Again, John is the one clearly politicizing the incident.