"Oh Mario y Maribel!", A Political Novella via the San Fernando Sun

** Afternoon Update: We found this video of the San Fernando City Council celebrating the city's 100 Birthday. Can you find the "Tonto" and his "Council Sancha"?

City of San Fernando Mayor Mario "Tonto" Hernandez and City Council "Sancha" Maribel de la Torre.

City Council Sancha Maribel de la Torre sister and former Assemblywoman/San Fernando Councilwoman Cindy Montanez. 

The mayor's wife Anna, who's position in the front row cause her cheating husband to admit his current relationship with former Assemblywoman and San Fernando Councilperson Cindy Montanez sister Councilwoman Maribel de la Torre.

** Bloggin Disclaimer: The following blog post contains explicit content of power, betrayal and lust run amok in the City of San Fernando. The characters are too many for civic ethical comfort but what many are discussing are potentially "disgusting Brown Act violations" by city leaders Mayor Mario Hernandez and Councilwoman Maribel de la Torre. The San Fernando Sun Newspaper has all the lurid details on an affair that has serious ethical ramifications for the City of San Fernando. Thus, move over "Antonio y Mirthala" as we bring you excerpts from "Mario y Maribel"---Scott Johnson. 

The lustful work environment of the City of San Fernando:

It seems it's not enough that San Fernando has a police chief "on vacation" for having sex with a cadet, or a police dispatcher caught exposing himself, or Councilwoman Brenda Esqueda's conflict of interest votes on the police department while having a sexual affair with police Sgt. Alvaro Castellon.    

The setting for "Mario y Maribel":

Monday night's city council meeting showed that decorum and a sense of decency have no place on the agenda of the San Fernando City Council.

Instead of addressing the numerous issues that residents voiced concern about involving police abuse, the cost of moving the Villegas Lopez house for the third time, the council's attempt to bring an independent fire company into the city without vetting it out with the public or the looming cuts to city staff while those at the top of the totem pole including the council remain untouched, those who attended the city council meeting were treated to a reality show.

The admissions of a "political Tonto":

With his wife, Anna, sitting in the front row, Mayor Mario Hernandez, for whatever reason, decided Monday night was the night to formally announce that he lost his business, and filed personal and corporate bankruptcy. "And secondly," Mayor Hernandez said, "I'd like to put out there, 'to squash the rumors,' that yes, I have been in a relationship with Councilwoman (Maribel) De La Torre."

The "political Tonto" reacts to his faithful wife:

The aggrieved wife bravely stood up and said, "That's why I'm here…." Mayor Hernandez retorted, "Yes, I know" as she continued to try to speak, saying "I'm his wife...we weren't separated." (at the start of the affair).

Hernandez used his Mayor's platform to tell Lt. Jeff Eley (acting Chief of Police) to prevent his wife from talking as residents gasped, and he went so far as to ask to have her escorted out of chambers. As those in the chamber audibly reacted, Lt. Eley said there "was a process" and the Mayor had the floor. Councilwoman Sylvia Ballin was, "so disgusted," that she walked off the dais and gave wife Anna a hug. Sev Aszkenazy, who is the publisher of this newspaper, told Hernandez, "You're a joke. Everyone knows you're a joke, so just be a joke."

The "Tonto and Sancha" Political Mischief:

Their pillow talk has led to arrogant control noted by two other council members and city staff. Without informing or conferring with fellow council members, they have been meeting and directing city officials and dictating policy. The pair was behind the ill-conceived return of Chief Anthony "Tony" Ruelas, who insiders have said is now carrying their water. They are also the driving force in the attempt to bring in a new fire department. One can only speculate what they thought could be gained by these moves.

In ending, we do not forget the other San Fernando characters: 

Stay tuned for the next episode of San Fernando's reality show. Maybe Police Sgt. Castellon's wife will attend the next council meeting so that Councilwoman Esqueda can make her confession. Or another policeman's wife will confront De La Torre…. And so the city turns...

Your Thoughts ..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14