Letter of Apology from Councilwoman Lewis Regarding Unjust Disqualification

It has been four years since I was unjustly disqualified from consideration for a seat on the Torrance City Council.

It was a painful moment, and I am certain there was momentary glee from many enemies in the city.

But I am grateful for the many people who came to my comfort after the fact, who recognized it was unfair and unjust what happened.

Here's my full statement to the city council earlier this year, correcting the record regarding my unjust disqualification in September 2022:

           

The next week, a couple of people came up to me, and they were so grateful for what I shared at the city council meeting.

One of the individuals is a current city council candidate. For the sake of privacy, I will not reveal that person's name. As I was walking to my car after a campaign event in South Torrance, this person told me: "Arthur, you are right. It's not OK how they treated you."

Another resident came up to me, and he said: "Arthur, that was a great speech you gave. I had no idea what was going on, and why you were disqualified!"

That was really encouraging.

But here was the best encouragement I received.

 Full disclosure:

I received full permission from Councilwoman Bridgett Lewis to share this letter, since she properly communicated with me via a non-government email account, since this matter did not touch directly on city business.

I want to acknowledge that I witnessed what occurred during the council selection process. Regardless of the circumstances, no one deserves to be treated that way in a public setting. Although I had no control or part in it, I’m sorry that the situation unfolded the way it did and that it had to occur in such a visible forum.

I am not familiar with the specific procedural requirements or legal constraints involved, but it does seem possible that the matter might have been better addressed in a sidebar or handled outside of the public setting. Hopefully, that will never happen again.  

Bridgett Lewis 

This meant a lot to me. That's all I had hoped for from Mayor Chen and Councilman Kaji, two of the candidates whom I had worked very hard to get elected.

And they just discarded me as if I was nothing.

I did not vote for Councilwoman Lewis, and she knows that I do not share her politics, and yet ... she was willing to apologize to me for what happened at the city council meeting that day.

Now that is leadership, and Councilwoman Lewis has my respect for that!