I am writing to express my formal and unequivocal disagreement with the closed session report read during the Jan. 14, 2025 Gardena City Council meeting and the subsequent passage of Resolution No. 6692 at the Jan. 28, 2025 council meeting.
The actions taken by Mayor Tasha Cerda, Councilmember Rodney Tanaka, and Councilmember Mark Henderson amount to targeted harassment, aimed at censoring me without affording me the due process to challenge accusations made against me.
The sanctions imposed—including stripping me of all city representation, denying city-funded travel, barring me from oral and email communication with city directors and staff, and mandating three days of training—are excessive and punitive. The claims and intent outlined in the resolution are baseless, procedurally flawed, and fundamentally unjust.
The accusations against me rely on an investigative report by Attorney Jeffrey Love, which lacks publicly verifiable evidence and transparency. The vague allegations of “unfounded criticisms and targeting” are unsupported by specific examples, making them impossible to meaningfully dispute.
Moreover, the investigative process raises serious concerns regarding impartiality and fairness, appearing to reflect subjective conclusions rather than an objective assessment of facts. Most troubling is the blatant violation of my due process rights.
I was not given a fair opportunity to review the evidence, confront my accusers statements, or adequately defend myself. This resolution disregards fundamental principles of fairness and justice.
Additionally, the vague language used in the resolution—such as “unprofessional behavior” and “unnecessary strain”—lacks clear definitions and invites subjective interpretation and misuse.
By moving forward with this censure, the Mayor and Councilmembers Tanaka and Henderson have directly impeded my ability to perform my elected duties, including oversight, transparency, and the right to freely express concerns. The democratic principles of open debate and dissent are being undermined. My criticisms of city staff, which fall within my responsibilities as an elected official, were not rude or disrespectful and should not be weaponized as grounds for punitive action.
The sanctions outlined in Resolution 6692—including restrictions on communication, removal from committees, and prohibition from city-funded travel—are excessive and unjustly hinder my ability to serve my constituents effectively. This censure appears to be a retaliatory effort to silence my voice rather than address legitimate concerns.
A fairer and more constructive resolution should have been sought. Mediation facilitated by the city manager could have been a reasonable step to address concerns and rebuild professional relationships. Furthermore, clear guidelines should be established regarding interactions between council members and city staff to prevent future conflicts.
In conclusion, I strongly contest the claims, accusations, and passage of Resolution No. 6692. This resolution infringes upon my rights as a council member and threatens democratic governance and my ability to do my council duties in our city. I regret that the mayor and councilmen chose to proceed with this punitive measure rather than prioritize fairness, transparency, and unity.
— Councilwoman Wanda Love
*Editor’s note: A review of the City of Gardena’s YouTube channel indicate city council meetings haven’t published to its page since June 2020
