Tammy Kim Feeling the Heat for Taking $150,000 from Public Employees She’s Paid to Oversee
As community members began circulating recall petitions in response to Councilmember Tammy Kim’s efforts to stifle public comments with which she disagrees, Kim set up an anti-recall fundraising committee. (The recall is a political impossibility since Kim ends her Council term in December, and there is no recall on the November ballot.)
Ignoring the City’s $620 campaign contribution limit, the union representing Orange County firefighters endorsed Kim in her mayoral bid and then turned on the “fire hose,” pouring $150,000 into the anti-recall committee’s coffers. (Kim is the City’s paid representative on the OC Fire Authority Board.)
At the August 13th Council meeting, it was reported that Irvine taxpayers are sending about $140 million annually to the OC Fire Authority but only receiving about $60 million in services.
Kim argued forcefully against any discussion regarding Irvine establishing its own Fire Department. Her strong opposition resulted in Irvine residents questioning Kim’s conflict of interest.
