Diane Harkey Does It Again

Diane Harkey

Oh, my! Here we go again! Just when the world was starting to forget Diane Harkey and her kooky antics, Ms. Harkey herself must give us all a reminder of what she’s all about.

Check out what I just got from the Recall Diane Harkey Campaign:

Diane Harkey demonstrated once again where her political priorities really are by leaving an outraged voice-mail message for Orange County Register political reporter Martin Wisckol this week, complaining of a conspiracy by Wisckol and the newspaper to print only “unflattering” pictures of her. “I’m not that unphotogenic!,” decried Harkey.

OK, don’t believe me? Don’t believe the Recall Campaign? Believe what Martin Wisckol says at Total Buzz.

So perhaps, we should have expected this from Diane Harkey. But still, it always amazes me how one elected official could be so oblivious to why she was elected. You’d think that she would be concerned about why so many in Dana Point are not satisfied with her “pay to play” politics that puts the desires of a few over the needs of the many, but she’s not. Instead, she’s all worked up over “unflattering photos” of her.

No matter how well Diane Harkey keeps up appearances, I still smell something stinky.

43 Comments

  1. What you are smelling dear boy is this funny lady who always seems to put her foot in her mouth. If 4 out of 5 politicans suffer from diarrhea…does that mean that Harkey enjoys it?.

    As they say, a good time to keep your mouth shut is when you’re in deep water.

  2. LOL Andrew you are so drama. No where does Wiscols article say she was outraged or that she decried anything.

  3. Flowerszzz-

    LOL, you are so semantics. Of course, Martin Wisckol wouldn’t use those adjectives. However if you look at the content of what Diane Harkey said, it clearly sounds like an enraged person who’s angry about some silly “unflattering photos” of her. And sorry, but I must wonder again: WHEN SO MANY IN DANA POINT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT DIANE HARKEY’S ETHICAL LAPSES, WHY IS SHE SO CONCERNED ABOUT SOME SILLY PHOTOS?

    Guido-

    Well, I’m starting to wonder if Diane Harkey enjoys her “Foot in Mouth Disease”. She just can’t stop making things worse for herself! But hey, at least she’s providing plenty of comedic material for The Liberal OC! 😉

  4. In the case of Mayor Diane Harkey, one should judge the source. When everything’s coming your way, Diane, you are probably in the wrong lane.

    Andrew, with regards to her constantly making the funny papers, it is only logical that if she can’t be kind, she should at least have the decency to be vague. If she learned anything from being a Republican, she should always keep her words soft and sweet, just in case she will have to eat them.

    Lastly, with her egotistical character getting in the way of her not knowing how to enjoy the scenery on a detour, I might add that some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

  5. Diane can send us whatever photogenic cheesecake shot she wants us to publish.

    Absolutely, Dan! If she sends it, I will publish. But of course, that’s no guarantee that I won’t publish the non-photogenic history of Diane Harkey turning her back on her Dana Point constituents alongside whatever photogenic cheesecake shot she wants the world to see. Just warnin’… 😉

  6. Harkey contacts a political reporter to complain that her picture is not flattering enough and that the use of the picture she feels is unflattering constitutes “extreme bias” by the press.

    Harkey says a secretly produced mailing connected to her law firm that flatters her but in fact illegally uses the City Seal is nevertheless “positive” and well done and that she wishes she did it.

    Harkey tells a Dana Point resident in writing that she is “very wealthy” and the next day reminds him she is “independently weathly.”

    Harkey has been married three times and has had an open divorce case against her husband for over 8 years.

    Harkey drives a Bentley and lives in Ritz-Cove in a home that was purchased from someone in financial distress for bottom dollar.

    Character and ethics are very important in our politicians.

    Is Orange County getting the Harkey picture?

  7. Seems I have heard that story before about the Harkey’s buying a home in Ritz Cove from someone in financial distress. Also seems that Mr. Harkey is now suing someone for allegedly saying that very same thing. Perhaps he really stole it, so to speak.

    Is the same thing happening with the plane he supposedly bought to shuttle Diane Harkey back and forth to Sacramento when she serves in the assembly? Then his attorney, in a private moment…same one who presided over the open divorce case with Diane Harkey…says that Mr. Harkey does not have any money to even rent a sound system.

    As the saying goes, “Everybody sees how you seem, however only some know who you really are.”

  8. If G&T words are correct, but he has stretched the truth before to the extremes due to bias, Harkey may not be the perfect politician he wants. But I do not see any ethics problems mentioned or any abuse of power, so why the recall? It sure is a waste of other peoples money for a personal opinon shared by twenty people.

  9. LOL Andrew – I was merely pointing out your blatant, flamboiant, overly dramatic ways. Wisckol has never minced words nor left them out….if she had been outraged or acted that way he would have said so. And being a woman myself, I can certainly understand her feelings. There are many male politicians hung up on such unimportant issues (hmmm, Edwards – is my hair just right?) Besides I think the one with her nose crinkled is cute!

  10. No offense, Andrew, but the people of Dana Point haven’t forgotten Harkey’s kooky antics. We have been bombarded by them for weeks, while the rest of Orange County forgot us. However, her critics are still here, doing what they can to keep it together despite Harkey’s malevolent use of her position. She has allowed (more likely, encouraged) her friends to attack her critics by name, publicly with everything from defamatory lies and distortions to mean spirited personal attacks. She has yet to answer a single charge of the recall, and instead has followed up the disgusting assaults made by her cronies with what can only be taken as threats, and an utter disrespect of the rights of all private citizens to enjoy the same degree of representation and protection as her friends.

    Harkey has repeatedly taken all of her constituents for fools, with such blatant examples as a shady Brown Act Violation she found herself upstaged by (and wriggled out of with a decidedly slimy manouever), and an astonishing link through her lawyer’s firm to a counterfeit and flattering City newsletter.

    So if everyone else in Orange County think it has gone away, we here in Dana Point live with it every day. Hopefully, we won’t have to much longer.

  11. Hey Dan, if you are going to book some studio time with Mayor Harkey, I really don’t think the photo op will change the character of the person. It will still turn out like the newest Jewish-American-Princess horror movie…Diane does dishes!

  12. Well, as time goes by, more “kooky antics” are disclosed. But none seem to warrent a recall. There seems to be an over concern of what the rest of Orange County seems to think, rather than what Dana Point thinks. If this perception is correct, one would think the best spent effort is to find somone to run against Ms. Harkey and sling mud there. The recall ethics issues have mostly been refuted. With a recall vote scheduled about in August, effort could best be spent at the ballot box in November of next year. If you fail with the recall, you will lose all momentum come next November. The planning for this doesn’t seem verty deep. That is why it seems to come across as personal rather than ethical.

  13. Dan – only if you have your head in the sand could you possibly believe that none of Harkey’s antics warrant a recall! And NONE of the recall ethics issues have been refuted, unless, perhaps, you count the pitiful lying and distorting by her supporters. Harkey herself merely lobs threats against anyone who would dare to challenge her rule, but answer a charge? Well, that would be beneath her. She has her cronies attack and defame her critics instead.

    There is no recall vote scheduled for August, or any other month, for that matter. Where, oh where, did you get that from? If you would take the time to understand the issues here in Dana Point, you would realize that they are indeed all about ethics in government. Right now, it’s all about what Harkey can buy or bully her way into. She has no regard at all for her constituents – that is, those who aren’t prepared to worship at her altar. It’s sickening that such fraud passes for representation.

  14. It seems that Dan Morgan is competely mixed up over when a recall for Mayor Harkey is due and what month the race for assembly takes place. Say Dan, are you that Oriental person, who gets spun around so much that you get disoriented?

  15. Hey Flowerszzz, I hear tell that there has been a big push from many areas in the city where residents are taking many blank applications for signatures. I am not involved in this, but have been approached by many residents to sign the petitions. You can only sign once but people are coming out of the woodwork. It is not so much the amount of signatures that are needed, but the fact that more and more people are recognizing the recall action and are asking questions. From a small, perhaps insignificant little recall, the masses are now paying attention.

  16. Ummm hmmmm, ok I buleeve you. It has been VERY quiet over there so I was just wondering….but you answered it just as I thought.

  17. Well, being wrong may be the result of believing others. The recall website first used a swearing incident as an ethics relapse but was latter proved to be Mr. Cooke’s wife (now removed from the website). The website also indicates she bullied residents Robert and Colleen Traphangen into signing away their legal rights on a letter but Mr. Traphangen said he did not sign it (I guess she did present a letter). She spoke at a Town Center meeting as a citizen and did not vote on the issue as she was told and no violation has been found. The recall signature collection started late in mid August. They have 4 months to collect signatures, 30 days to certify, 21 days for the city council to accept, then 125 days until the election. That gets them to about June, throw in a month for recount and/or problems, now we are in August. This is a far cry from February as stated by one of the recall spokepersons.

    To me recall means abuse, violation of law. There is no law against silly antics. But that said, good luck. And what was the signature count again? The idea of individuals down loading petitions and getting a signature or two without supervision sounds like an opportunity for abuse so I hope they have some sort of quality control.

    But Guido, it is the amount of signatures, 20% of registered voters.

  18. Dan M-

    You may have a point about the profane language. However, why should we argue about profane language when we already have profane actions right in front of us? Diane Harkey has engaged in pay to play politics, deceiving voters with misleading “literature”, and throwing her own constituents under the bus to serve special interests. Now isn’t that activity awfully profane? Harkey’s spinners want to distract by bringing out smoke and mirrors regarding “profane language”, but let’s not fall for the spin. Let’s talk about actions.

    Guido-

    Dan M does have a point about the signature gathering. If the recall campaign is giving out blank petition forms, make sure these folks also have full instructions on how to do them. Oh yes, and check up on them to make sure they’re gathering signatures for you and they’re doing it properly and legally. As Ronald Reagan would say, “Trust, but verify.”

  19. Dan Morgan wrote, “To me recall means abuse, violation of law.” Wrong. Violation of the law leads to endictment and criminal charges. Lower orders of misconduct, ethics, etc. are dealt with via a recall.
    –jw

  20. Dan Morgan does not have a point about the profane language. There are numerous witnesses who have documented what they saw and heard at that council meeting in sworn legal statements. Just because Harkey’s words cannot be made out on the clip (although her walking out and giving the back of her hand can be), this does not exonerate Harkey. In fact, the recall website even quoted her actual words in the write-up introduction to the clip, once the various witness came forward. Their quotes were consistent. It was clear these were not one and the same as those audible on the clip, and indeed, the website had never claimed any particular words to be Harkey’s; her actions alone were sufficient reason to show it.

    And recalls do not have to be about violations of the law; a recall can be for any reason. In this case, Harkey’s many unethical political dealings are the issue.

  21. It doesn’t matter what Harkey said or didn’t say. Her actions are enough reason to see her removed from office. She betrayed this part of the community last year with her disgraceful dealings with the Doheny House. That’s enough for me.

  22. first off, i don’t understand what Harkey did “again” or even on previous occasions. media outlets are notorious for using unflattering photos of figures they dislike for whatever reason. as a political staffer, i have made the calls and offered to provide new photos for future use. not a big deal. it doesn’t mean that the candidate is excessively vain or an egomaniac, merely a recognition that most people skim the newspaper or website, and the human eye is drawn to images.
    additionally, a recall effort that believes the number of signatures collected is not terribly important is in SERIOUS trouble.
    but keep in mind that this whole recall was orchestrated so that political rivals can honestly say that Harkey is so hated in her own city that citizens there have started an effort to recall her from her current position. is that not a use of taxpayer resources for political purposes?

  23. It doesnÂ’t matter what Harkey said or didnÂ’t say. Her actions are enough reason to see her removed from office.

    My thoughts exactly, Capo Caretaker.

    Publius-

    OK, I’m not saying here that Diane Harkey should be recalled because she complained about photos published on Total Buzz. No, it’s just that I find it interesting how she can become so preoccupied over some silly photos while her constituents in Dana Point have serious questions about her ethically (and legally) questionable actions (like the faux newsletter, the pay to play politicking, and much more). Why hasn’t Diane Harkey talked about the real issues? Why all the fuss over stupid photos? That’s the problem I see here.

  24. Where or when did the recall proponents ever say that the number of signatures collected isn’t important? Just because someone in favor of the recall may have voiced such an opinion does not mean that is the position of the proponents! And what taxpayer resources have been utilized for political purposes? Such ignorance is astounding.

  25. On October 21, 2007 at 12:14 AM Guido said:
    “It is not so much the amount of signatures that are needed, but the fact that more and more people are recognizing the recall action and are asking questions.”
    To me, he appears to be a recall proponent, even if not a part of the committee.
    As far as taxpayer resources – the time/expertise of the city clerk, various attorneys, and the people who will be checking and verifying the signatures – all for something that looks like it will not qualify and was started to make Harkey look bad in an Assembly primary.

  26. First of all, if the signatures are not submitted for counting none of what you are talking about will happen at all. And the signatures will not be submitted unless the recall proponents are successful in gathering all of the numbers. So let’s not keep talking about phantom expenses for the taxpayer. You need to understand better how the process works and stop listening to Harkey’s friends, who are spinning like a wheel. As for whatever Guido appears to you to be, you are making some incredible assumptions.

  27. Publius…Judge not lest you be judged.

    There is no where on any petition of my name as a proponent of the recall of Diane Harkey. As a matter of fact, I am a resident of Dana Point who has not been approached by anyone to sign any recall petition.

    Now to understand your insidious comments, we are all seeking honesty and integrity from our council leaders and polticians in general. Aside from the powerplays many of them use for positioning in their seats as political leaders, the truth usually comes out and the people will eventually see through all of the mist and phoniness that they exude.

    What is more important than just a recall of Diane Harkey is the fact that she will lose her second attempt to win a state position. In the next few weeks and months leading up to the assembly election, more of the truth shall come out that will reveal this person to be nothing more than an enigma who thinks that her money can buy her anything. But the money is running out and her chances are beginning thin as the Republican Party is starting to find out about this person and her crooked husband who has been cited for fraud and is up on charges in Supreme Court.

  28. PROPONENT – an advocate; a person who argues in favor of something.
    Guido – you have done both.
    You say that “more important than just a recall of Diane Harkey is the fact that she will lose her second attempt to win a state position.”
    Which buttresses my original point – that much of the recall is a POLITICAL effort to smear Harkey in her upcoming race for Assembly.
    FYI Capo Caretaker – I’m not a fan of Harkey (and also not a hater) and have never been contacted by her friends, but I do think you folks should be able to defend the arguments you set forth in this forum. Every elected official has a few disgruntled constituents. I don’t see any compelling reason to recall this one. But I am open to convincing.
    I haven’t called “insidious” in a while. That’s a riot!

  29. Publius, I am not in a position to waste my time trying to convince you, or anyone else for that matter, that Diane Harkey’s morality and integrity have been compromised. But I do get a funny susicion that you are the same person we are talking about. Correct me if I am wrong???

    Because no matter how I feel, or anyone else for that matter, it will not change your mind. And who the hell are you to tell me that I have to convince you? Hell, I have other more important things to do with my life like being a good citizen and not a “Princess” who thinks that she is the best thing since the “Queen” won her seat on the city council.

    You remind me of those people who spend $2.00 on a bottle of Evian Water. Just remember…spelling Evian backwards is…”NAIVE!”

  30. Guido – folks who actually READ this blog regularly, and don’t just try to use it to further a personal agenda know me and my track record in OC politics.
    I am a liberal. I comment regularly on a variety of issues throughout OC.
    I am not affiliated with Harkey in any way, and have never met the woman or her family or friends. Can’t say that I’ve even knowingly passed through Dana Point in the last 5 years.
    You stand corrected.
    Regulars are welcome to vouch for me – but please no hints about my true identity.
    If you don’t see the need to waste your time to convince this undecided observer that the recall is necessary (I strongly suspect it’s because you cannot), you won’t do well in an election.
    As long as you believe that everyone who questions you must be somehow affiliated with the Harkey machine, you are the naive one.
    And again, with the name-calling. I am certainly no “Queen” but some might make a case that I’m an occasional “Princess.”

  31. I can’t say much for a ‘liberal princess’. As far as my standing corrected, I would follow your lead when you apolotize for alleging that I am a proponent or on the committee to recall Diane Harkey. Why can’t someone who believes in Democracy and Honesty stand up for a postiion rather than being called names and slandered just for agreeing with a position that you do not.

    It is enough that the Harkey supporters have offended and maligned those who oppose her while she sits there in the mayor’s chair and smiles at the hyprocracy and insinuations of her people jumping on her opponents. That in itself is reason to get rid of her by recalling her.

    You are definitely a liberal democrat judging from the way you speak about others and need to be accepted and proven right all of the time. It is remarkable that each Democratic presidential candidate is ready to raise taxes, stop funding the troops while they are still serving in a war, and blaming everything on a president when the members of Congress have a lower rating than the executive branch of the government.

    I am afraid it is as if I am talking to a wall. And I am an independent voter, neither a conservative or a liberal. but one who looks at all of the candidates no matter what party they belong to.

    I look at Harkey, a Republican who has a record of lying to her constituents and deceiving them. Just read the 200 word petition of the recall or go to the website: dianeharkeyrecall.com before you make a judgment and think that because everyone knows you on the blog makes it politically correct.

  32. I have to agree with Publis. If you advocate a position you are a proponent. More of the statements I see here are just harassment without the intent to actually recall. When I have really disliked a politician, I was very vocal when election time came around, and it has worked. If you fail at this recall, the committee’s twenty will lack credibility and any further statements will not be heard. A personal dislike is not a reason for recall. All we can do here is agree to disagree.

  33. Dan – you know perfectly well that the dictionary definition of ‘proponent’ is not what we are talking about here, so you are not ‘proving’ anything. Whether or not Guido is an actual proponent on the recall itself is an entirely different matter, regardless of his viewpoint. Thus, he is perfectly entitled to like or dislike Harkey, since whatever you feel he has raised is not necessarily the stated issues of the recall, which have nothing to do with liking or disliking anybody. That still does not make him a proponent.

  34. Guido is an advocate and supporter of the recall.
    Therefore a proponent.
    Though others have claimed that he is not a member of the recall committee.

  35. Publius – I can’t believe how dense you are being. When you are talking about a recall, there are 20 legal proponents, which is the definition any reasonable person would assume you are making about the term. Otherwise, to use the term is a red herring only designed to stir things up and confuse the reader. Meanwhile none of us knows who Guido is, and certainly if he is one of the those official proponents. From his words, I will assume he isn’t.

  36. CC – In your 1:55 pm comment on 10/22 you were the first to use the word PROPONENT. I merely followed up by using the definition of the word after looking it up.
    I don’t leave it up to others to determine what “a reasonable person” might assume (remember what is often said about those who ASSUME). But if disagreeing with you and your cohorts makes you think me “dense,” so be it.

  37. Come, come, Publius! No reasonable person would have misunderstood the use of the word in my entry, especially since it was used after the term ‘recall proponent’ had been used first. I don’t know who my ‘cohorts’ might be, so I have no idea to whom you are referring; I am merely trying to establish between general and specific usage of a term – especially where it has been used to mislead the reader. The recall proponents are listed on that document, and anyone else speaking in favor of the recall does not make them one of these! Only Guido knows if he is amongst the recall proponents, not us. Now let’s drop this discussion!!

  38. “To me recall means abuse, violation of law. ”

    Just what law(s) did Gray Davis violate?

    The biggest comfort I take from all of this is the knowledge that Diane will more than likely be the source of her own downfall. When Diane seemed to have the nomination wrapped up, this whole photo debacle proves she is incapable of leaving well enough along. Harkey is like a political shark (sharkey?) that needs to keep moving forward in order to get away from all those she has burned or lied to. If she ever does make it to Sacramento, her forward momentum will slow, and her sordid past will catch up with her.

  39. What is the story about Diane Harkey having a two year affair with Sheriff Corona ? and did she also conceal sweet deals with her Hubby’s firm Point Center Financial, Inc. ? I was told by an investor Corona and Harkey go way back into affairs and deviant behavior any word on her possible indictment for Fraud and illegal possession of confidential Law Enforcement records ?

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