WESTMINSTER Mayor Tri Ta (File photo).

More political fireworks may be expected when the Westminster City Council meets on Wednesday, Jan. 12 to consider a proposal to censure Mayor Tri Ta for statements he allegedly made to Vietnamese media.

Councilmember Tai Do has asked the council to consider the action based on Ta’s purported comments, primarily in the Vietnamese language, claiming that the mayor has been “kicked out of his office” by the council majority and is officially “officeless.”

According to Do, Ta’s comments on local TV and in YouTube videos were “false and defamatory.” Part of Do’s request for a motion of censure is his claim that Ta drove around the city in a white SUV that he described as his “mobile office.”

If the council majority – Do, Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo (District 2) and Councilmember Kimberly Ho (District 3) – support the proposal to censure Ta, it would be the second time in a recent month it acted to censure one of its own.

At a seven-hour meeting on Dec. 8-9, the council majority censured Chi Charlie Nguyen for a range of alleged misconduct including using offensive language, being argumentative and disruptive at meetings and waging a “dishonest” campaign in favor of recalling other council members.

Censure is a symbolic gesture expressing disapproval, but it has no legal force.

Also on the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting, the council will consider:

• allocating $23,413 in grant money for a Little Saigon Outreach Coordinator;
• consider the costs – put at $45,000 – to construct offices for the mayor and city councilmembers in the Council Chamber, a move from City Hall;
• an ordinance related to conflict of interest for public officials;
• a request to rename Park West Park to Tony Lam Park.

The meeting will be held via teleconference. It will begin with a closed session at 5 p.m. and the public session at 7 p.m.