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has happened is that people have started to use Council time to debate the merits of the war <br />and personally attack members of the Council because they did not understand what the <br />Council had done, or because they didn't trust that the Council would do the right thing for the <br />community. Regardless, this has become the case in the community and it is clear that if the <br />Council continues with this item then what we will continue to have is two sides that are <br />emotional and passionate about the issue. She noted she spoke with Congressman Jerry <br />McNerney about hosting a community forum in Pleasanton in the near future to address the <br />community's need and desire for a dialogue about the war. She urged those who are interested <br />to participate. <br />She added, as the Mayor, her job is to serve the entire community -not just those who voted for <br />her and not just those who agree with her. She noted she is choosing at this time not divide the <br />community any further. With this motion, she noted she is standing up for a respectful <br />discourse concerning all of the issues that matter to Pleasanton. She added she would be <br />pleased if all would join them in setting the standard for their community. She added the <br />Council appreciates all the comments and correspondence. <br />She asked if she had Council support to table the matter indefinitely. Councilmember Cook- <br />Kallio seconded the motion. <br />Councilmember Thorne indicated his support for the comments, and indicated he hopes the <br />matter does not come back for consideration. He noted he has been concerned about the <br />community being divided over this issue. He commented on how the media affects the troops <br />and indicated he is pleased that the item will be removed. <br />Substitute Motion: It was m/s by McGovern/Thorne to remove the item from the agenda <br />indefinitely. <br />Councilmember Cook-Kallio indicated her support for removing the item. She commented on <br />how she valued all the input she has received. She believed this has turned into something that <br />was not productive and does not want to take any further Council time to discuss it. <br />Councilmember Sullivan indicated that this has never been about the City Council discussing or <br />debating the war in Iraq. It has always been about responding to members of the community in <br />providing a forum for the free expression of ideas. He indicated he ran for City Council because <br />he wanted the citizens to have a voice in government. He added before he was on the Council <br />he spent 10 years as an activist and a Planning Commissioner, working to ensure that the City <br />Councils provided a voice for citizens. It is true that this particular subject has struck a nerve <br />and there have been impassioned opinions on both sides of the issue. Unfortunately, the <br />Council has been subject to verbal attacks, harassment and abuse. He stated he agrees with <br />the Mayor and others on the Council that the vision of a civil dialogue on this issue by the <br />citizens needs to be moved outside the purview of the Council. <br />Substitute motion passed by the following vote: <br />Ayes: Councilmembers Cook-Kallio, McGovern, Sullivan, Thorne, Mayor Hosterman <br />Noes: None <br />Absent: None <br />CONSENT CALENDAR <br />Mayor Hosterman noted, with respect to Public Comment being requested on Item No. 5, it was <br />removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed separately. <br />City Council Minutes 2 February 20, 2007 <br />