Local News in Brief : Council Directs Staff to Ignore Critic’s Queries

In an unusual move aimed at stymieing Carroll Dean Williams, an outspoken critic of the Ventura City Council, the council approved a special policy this week that instructs city staff members to spend no time on his “unending and unproductive requests.”

The policy, recommended by Councilman John Sullard, states that Williams can make his requests for information to the council, and if they are deemed meritorious they can then be referred to city staff.

After the policy was approved, City Atty. Donald S. Greenberg asked to review its wording.

The action came in the wake of an apparent shoving match between Williams, 45, and City Manager John S. Baker at City Hall last week.

Williams, a poet and former engineer for the defunct Ventura Tool Co., had sought to file battery charges against Baker because of the altercation.

However, after reviewing the case, Ventura County Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury announced Friday that a misdemeanor battery charge has been filed against Williams for using what the prosecutor called inappropriate force during the altercation with Baker.

Arraignment has been set in Ventura County Municipal Court on Feb. 17. Williams, a regular speaker at council meetings, told council members on Monday that they did not know all the facts regarding the incident.