Garofalo resigns his seat

Bryce Alderton

Councilman Dave Garofalo resigned his seat effective Wednesday, ending

one of Surf City’s most controversial political careers -- a tenure that

remains under investigation by the district attorney.

Garofalo submitted a simple, one-page letter to the City Clerk last

Friday. In it he said: “It’s time for me to spend more time on some

personal issues and get on with my personal life to resolve lingering

matters. I can best do this as a private citizen.”

He also highlighted city achievements during his seven-year council

tenure such as “doubling sales tax revenue, construction of a new pier

and Pier Plaza and identifying billion-dollar infrastructure issues and

planning for their logical repair.”

He did not, however, make any mention of the 17-month-long

investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s office, as well as

the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission, over possible conflicts

of interest stemming from his business, David P. Garofalo & Associates.

The investigation centers on allegations that Garofalo voted

repeatedly on issues that affected the flow of advertising revenue to his

publishing business.

Garofalo could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but he has

maintained his innocence throughout the probe.

The City Council now has until Feb. 24 to appoint a new council member

before the seat would go to a special election.

“We haven’t really talked about it yet, but I’m sure by the next

couple of [council] meetings we’ll set up a process for people to apply,”

said Mayor Debbie Cook. “We’ll put it on the agenda and call a special

meeting.”

Cook added that the lengthy investigation into her former colleague

should never have continued as long as it has.

“When allegations like this are brought in, they should be taken

seriously and that wasn’t done,” Cook said. “It dragged on for years

before anything happened.”

Council member Ralph Bauer, who has been on the council throughout

Garofalo’s tenure, called Garofalo a “hard worker” and a “strong

churchgoer.”

“It’s sad to see him go, he is very disappointed,” Bauer said. “He

worked hard but somehow himself and the system have some differences. Now

he can take care of his health and his family.”

The last time the council appointed a new member was 1994 when current

Assemblyman Tom Harman was appointed to replace Jim Silva, who was

elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

* BRYCE ALDERTON is the news assistant. He can be reached at (714)

965-7173 or by e-mail at [email protected]