Tanaka says he told Medrano not to talk to haulers

From an article in The Daily Breezee 03/15/07

Daily Breeze - Torrance, Calif.
Author: Gene Maddaus STAFF WRITER
Date: Mar 15, 2007
Text Word Count: 593
Abstract (Document Summary)

Gardena Mayor Paul Tanaka said he warned Councilman Oscar Medrano not to meet privately with two trash haulers in January, marking the first time Tanaka has expressed any disapproval of the meeting.

Tanaka was also critical of Daily Breeze coverage of the issue, which he said made Medrano look like "some kind of buffoon and a crook." Tanaka also strenuously objected to being linked to the trash situation, saying it made him look bad in the community.

A week before Medrano met with the haulers, Tanaka removed the termination notice from the council's agenda, without explanation. Had Tanaka allowed discussion to proceed that night, Medrano would have had no leverage with which to negotiate the following week.