A Call for Respect in Encinitas City Council

Encinitas City Council is facing a tough time. There's a lot of anger and disrespect happening. It's not a new problem, but it's getting worse. Back in 2006, things were just as bad. A council member at the time, Teresa Arballo Barth, worked hard to change that. She made an effort to treat everyone with respect. She called her colleagues by their titles and last names. She listened carefully to everyone who spoke. It made a difference. After eight years, including two as mayor, she saw things improve.But now, the situation is back to being toxic. The anger is mostly aimed at Councilwoman Joy Lyndes and some members of the public. This is not okay. The council should be a place of leadership, not a place for mean and false accusations. The mayor, Bruce Ehlers, has a big role to play here. He needs to set a good example. He should make sure discussions are respectful and productive. It's time for the council to remember why they were elected in the first place. They should focus on making Encinitas a better place, not on fighting among themselves.