Oroville councilwomen sue

Oroville Councilwomen Janet Goodson and Linda Draper are suing the Oroville City Council, alleging that Mayor Chuck Reynolds violated the Brown Act and city charter in March when he removed them from the committees on which they served.

They aim to reverse the decision and have the topic aired publicly. In a letter to the council, attorney Deborah B. Caplan writes that the mayor is not granted such appointment authority under the city charter. She adds that the decision appears discriminatory—Draper and Goodson (pictured) are the only women and liberals on the council, and Goodson is the only black council member.

City Attorney Scott E. Huber replied in a subsequent letter that the mayor acted within his executive authority to make appointments, and the process was “legitimate, valid and in compliance with the Brown Act.”