Moments after delivering his state of the city address, Mayor Todd Gloria turned to shake hands with the city’s other elected officials who sat behind him on the dais on Thursday.
They stood up in anticipation of the mayor coming to greet them, with the exception of one councilmember, Vivian Moreno. Gloria had a message for the councilmember.
“He told me that I could smile, which I found to be a very sexist comment,” said Moreno. “How many women of power have been told to smile more?”
At least one other councilmember confirmed the comment. The Mayor’s Office declined to comment.
“The more I sit and simmer … it makes me angrier and angrier that he has that in his heart, that his reaction to me sitting up there, was I could smile more? … He’s trying to control me?” said Moreno. “We’re not gonna be controlled.”
Despite Gloria’s insistence that his relationship with the Council is “extremely functional,” the moment was another example of the tension that has been building. Even where the councilmembers sat was an outgrowth of the discord.
Before he delivered his speech, Moreno learned only 15 members of the public would be allowed inside the City Council Chambers. She decided she would not sit in the front row seat reserved for her to try to make more room for the public. Other councilmembers followed.
“That’s where I was going to sit, where District 8 elected me to sit,” Moreno said. However, rather than letting more people from the public in, she said the seats remained empty.
Gloria’s spokesperson Dave Rolland said that the initial plan was to have the Council seated in the front row.
He said at the request of Council, “there was a last-minute adjustment. That’s why the event was delayed for 20 minutes.”
“Our goal at that point was to begin the event as quickly as possible, when we were already running behind schedule. The overflow room remained available for attendees.”
David Rolland once admonished me for entering into his office at City Beat in the day. Rolland is another King 2nd to the throne of King Todd.
These people reek of disgusting character.
Quiet, piggy.
Can we get a councilmember who care about policy issues, instead of where she sits? Politicians should try to look pleasant during live addresses. That was solid political advice.
Moreno has been solid on policy, that’s why Gloria was being rude to her.
From antiquity, little girls are taught to smile. Mister Gloria was taught properly.
Smile for the patriarchy, right?
Oh please, grow up – you’re a City councilperson.
Are you voting Dan “The Naked Man” to SDCC D2?
Too bad the City Council didn’t get together and agree to just not attend. That would have sent the message that the mayor needed to see.
I voted for him twice and I feel like a fool. I will make it my hobby to oppose him on everything in the future. Further more, Stop smiling and pave the f-ing streets, Tijuana’s streets are starting to look better.
Funny how it takes longer under the current administration to pave streets and fix lights, but that they can install new parking meters and signage in a matter of hours….
I don’t see Sean smiling.🤔
Woman of power? How about public servant?