At a Whittier Planning Commission meeting, multiple public commenters demanded the resignation of Vice Chair Richard Quirk over a social-media “costume” post and criticized commissioners for not removing him. The commission moved discussion of item 7 to earlier in the agenda to accommodate public concerns; the meeting included repeated public-comment statements accusing Quirk of racist conduct and calling for accountability.

Why it matters: Commissioners and appointed officials are expected to maintain public trust; sustained, vociferous public comment focused on an appointed commissioner’s conduct interrupted the regular agenda and prompted calls for clearer standards and transparency from city officials.

The meeting opened with a motion to amend the agenda to move discussion of item 7 earlier; the motion was seconded and adopted. Vice Chair Richard Quirk addressed the commission and the public, saying, “with respect to the costume incident, everyone who knows me knows I'm not a racist.” That remark drew multiple interruptions and further public comment.

Public commenters made sustained allegations against Quirk and the city’s leadership. Tamora Harris told the commission, “We demanded eyesight of Whittier, and instead of standing with the people and stopping mass vigilantes, endangering innocent civilians in your city, You throw $30,000 of our tax money towards some ******** to keep us quiet,” and alleged $15,000 was “allegedly going to a nonprofit called the Hispanic Outreach Task Force.” Jordan Burgos and Veronica Garcia also addressed the commission, saying the presence of an official who posted the costume content undermined trust; Magdalena “Maggie” Moe and other speakers expressed similar concerns and urged removal or resignation. Speakers repeatedly told commissioners they were “complicit” if they did not act.

Chair Rodriguez and staff repeatedly asked the public to lower their voices and respect hearing procedures so applicants and the public could be heard; at one point the chair called a recess to restore order. The public-comment period lasted through several speakers before the commission returned to its agenda and proceeded to public hearings.

Discussion versus action: The meeting record shows extensive public comment demanding Quirk’s removal and accusing the city of inadequate transparency. Commissioners did not take a formal removal action at the meeting; the transcript records no commission vote to censure or remove an appointed commissioner. Staff and commissioners noted limits to their authority over appointed officials during the meeting; speakers and commissioners referenced the city’s charter status when discussing available remedies. The commission continued with the public-hearing agenda items after the public-comment period.

Ending note: Several public speakers said they would continue to attend meetings and organize outside the chambers; the transcript records a high level of public engagement but no formal disciplinary action taken by the commission at that meeting.