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https://www.theepochtimes.com/anaheim-commissioner-removed-after-blaming-ccp-for-pandemic_3795474.html
Anaheim Commissioner Removed After Refusing to Partner With Chinese City
Larsen recommended that Anaheim send a letter to Pudong, informing a termination of the two cities’ relations because of the CCP virus pandemic’s impact on Anaheim’s community.
“Our kids have been out of school for a year; the people are unemployed, the city for all intents and purposes is teetering on bankruptcy—and we want to court these people?” Larsen said. “It makes no sense to me at all. I can’t believe that anybody would even want to do that.”
Cole said: “I don’t think that people of Pudong, China that live there every day, the citizens of that city, did anything to the City of Anaheim. Whether you feel you agree with their government or not, I think that’s a different issue.”
Larsen said that every industry within China is tied to the CCP.
“Taline, let me add something. First of all, you have to be awful naive not to understand that not one thing is said or done in the country of China that isn’t government,” he said.
Commissioner Brian Stanley agreed with Larsen, saying the CCP, being communist, does not “fit” with Anaheim or the U.S.
Larsen said the CCP owes the city of Anaheim a payment for the damages it brought to schools, children, and the economy.
“Well, if Pudong, out of a gesture of friendliness or kindness or whatever word you want to use, wants to write a check for $150 million to Anaheim to reimburse us for the damage that’s been done, I would probably look kindly on that.”
The commission decided to take no action and leave the two cities in a “friendly city” relationship, rather than “sister cities.”
Larsen’s Removal
Councilmember Jordan Brandman brought up removing Larson from his role during an April 13 council meeting, due to his comments during the sister cities commission meetings.
Brandman refused to refer to the commissioner by his name because “that person is not worth the dignity of having their name announced.”
During the April 27 city council meeting, Brandman agenized the removal of Larson.
“I believe that what was said at the February and March meeting by the commissioner in question does not represent what Anaheim stands for,” Brandman said during the meeting.
“He was given the opportunity to resign. He chose not to do so. It is incumbent upon us as an example, to do what we think, within the mission.”
Larsen addressed council during the April 27 meeting; Brandman did not attend the public comments, and arrived late to the city council meeting.
“Jordan Brandman has accused me of the most vile thing a person can be accused of, and that’s being a racist,” Larsen said.
“He raked me through the mud in trying to destroy my stellar reputation that I’ve worked my entire life in this city to develop. And then he doesn’t have the nerve to show up.”
Councilmember Trevor O’Neil was upset with Larsen’s remarks during the council meeting.
“Tonight, rather than taking his comment time to tout his accomplishments, I wish that Mr. Larson would have addressed some of the things that he actually said during the sister city commission meetings,” O’Neil said.
“I would have liked to have heard an apology for his insensitive remarks.”
The council voted unanimously to remove Larsen from his position as commissioner.
“Anaheim is a diverse and global city and we are proud of that,” Mayor Harry Sidhu told The Epoch Times via email.
“The former commissioner’s comments were his own and do not speak for or reflect the city of Anaheim.”
Councilmember Avelino Valencia said he did not expect Larsen to rescind his comments, but was nevertheless unhappy with his remarks during public comment.
“At last night’s council meeting, Mr. Larsen had an opportunity to make things right, but instead opted to further reiterate his statements during public comment,” Valencia told The Epoch Times via email.
“While I believe that we all deserve an opportunity to learn and grow from our mistakes, it should not be at the expense of our community.”
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