Application Denied

The Ocean Beach Town Council denied Frank Gormlie — a lawyer and cofounder of the OB Rag — a candidacy to the council’s board of directors on Wednesday, August 25.

A contentious argument took place at the town-council meeting, wherein Gormlie was denied the right to apply for candidacy to the board of directors based on the residence requirement in the council bylaws. To be considered eligible for the board, one must be a resident, business owner, or own property in Ocean Beach. Gormlie vehemently pleaded his case for candidacy.

Though Gormlie publishes the OB Rag, an online publication dedicated to Ocean Beach, he does not reside in the community; until recently, he did not have a business residence in the area. At one point in the debate, Gormlie produced a newly signed lease to a commercial property in Ocean Beach as evidence to his adherence to the guidelines. The town council, resolute in its opposition to Gormlie’s candidacy, flatly refused. Gormlie did not have proof of residence by the deadline.

Boardmember Nancy Vaughn stressed that the rules for application are clearly stated in the town-council bylaws and that she had notified Gormlie previously. Repeated calls for a special election went unheard as president Jim Musgrove refused to re interpret existing bylaws in this instance. O.B. Town Council bylaws come up for vote in 18 months.

Pictured: Frank Gormlie

Photo credit: OB Rag.org