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Business owner criticizes council conduct, calls for less "status quo bickering"
Summary
David Goodman, a local business owner and retired peace officer, told the Oxnard City Council on Dec. 17 he was "furious" about conduct at a recent swearing-in and urged the council to stop divisive behavior and represent all residents.
David Goodman, a business owner and retired peace officer, used his public-comment time at the Dec. 17 Oxnard City Council meeting to criticize recent conduct by council members and to call for unity.
Goodman said he attended the prior meeting to honor new council members but that footage he later viewed online left him “furious.” “I am furious with some of you. You were elected to represent all of the people, not just 1 gender, not just 1 national heritage,” Goodman said. He added: “In case you didn't get the memo, the days of identity politics are over.”
Goodman praised the mayor’s service record and said elected officials should avoid actions he described as immature or divisive. He warned that as a business owner he would hold the council accountable if divisive conduct continued.
Why it matters: Criticism about elected officials’ conduct can affect public confidence in local governance and shape expectations for cooperation on city business. Goodman’s comments were made during public comment and did not prompt immediate council action or formal response at the meeting.
Earlier in the meeting the council convened in closed session under Government Code section 54957.6 on labor negotiations; the city attorney reported there were no reportable actions from that session.
