Expressing embarrassment and disappointment, Lompoc Valley residents lashed out at a councilman who is facing eight felony criminal charges and the city’s mayor for his recorded confrontation with a street vendor, but both men shrugged off concerns.

The comments came during Tuesday night’s Lompoc City Council meeting, where speakers called out Mayor Jim Mosby’s actions captured on a video as he confronted a Mexican food street vendor, including one video that has gone viral with more than 100,000 views.

Others called for Councilman Steve Bridge to step down in the wake of being charged with eight felony counts over allegations of forgery, grand theft of city money, fraudulent use of a contractor’s license and identity theft. 

It was the first City Council meeting since the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office filed the criminal complaint in Santa Barbara County Superior Court last month, and Councilman Jeremy Ball called for Bridge to resign.

On Tuesday, Ball asked if his fellow council members would support directing staff to return with a report issuing a censure or vote of no confidence.

However, his colleagues — including Mosby and Bridge plus Councilmen Dirk Starbuck and Victor Vega — remained mum.

“I hear that loud and clear — I received no support from this council for either censure or a vote of no confidence,” Ball said.

Without support for his first request, Ball then suggested directing staff to provide a report on the possibility of stripping Bridge from committee assignments.

“It is not appropriate to have someone with this cloud of charges represent the city of Lompoc in any sort of manner, from my perspective,” he said as his colleagues again declined to back Ball’s bid.

“Shame,” an audience member shouted. 

“No support,” Ball said as his four colleagues stayed silent.

Starbuck made light of the issue, flippantly saying, “Juror One has no reports.” 

Bridge said he had comments but decided to “take the high road and not disparage other council members.”

He said it took restraint not to comment on social media or in local media, adding that he intended to enter not-guilty pleas to the criminal charges “because I have not admitted any crime.”

“I believe in the American justice system, and I’m confident that through the court process I will be found not guilty,” he said, adding that he intends to continue serving on the City Council.

In his comments at the end of the meeting, Mosby, the mayor, said council members serve as policymakers and don’t wear black robes. 

“We are not judges, and the due process component needs to lay itself out,” he said. “I think tainting the jury pool and playing the games that are being played right now need to chill out.”

During public comment for the meeting, a stream of residents aired their concerns about Mosby’s actions and the allegations against Bridge.

“I just want to say I’m just kind of embarrassed lately with being from Lompoc, and I don’t like that. I love Lompoc. I love this town,” said Aaron Crocker, a businessman who has been in the city for 11 years.

The video shows Mosby holding his cellphone while at a street vendor site on North A Street, shouting, “This is not legal,” “This food’s not safe” and “I love Mexican food,” while asking to see the vendor’s health permit.

“If you want a place, rent a place. Don’t do this,” Mosby said. “Time for you to go.”

As the operators said they plan to call police, he responded, “Call them. I’m right here. Make sure they come.”

In Tuesday’s meeting, Mosby claimed he routinely patrols the city and passes photos and other issues of concern to the city manager.

Referring to videos circulating on social media about Mosby’s interactions with the street vendors, Crocker said he agrees that food trucks and booths should be regulated.

“The way it was done is just not great. It makes me feel bad about the city I’m in,” Crocker said. “We’ve got potential felonies on the books as well. .… It’s just a lot of negativity and vitriol.”

Speakers during the public comment session spanned a wide range of ages and offered harsh words about Mosby’s attire and demeanor. The mayor sported a camouflage hat and jacket in the video. 

“He also, as a figurehead for our city, thinks that our mayor should be seen as a country slob. His dress, demeanor, vernacular are all an embarrassment to Lompoc,” said Jay Freeman, who described the limited duties of a mayor and referred to Mosby as a vigilante.

Another woman said the mayor’s “little smirks and little giggles” while people spoke during the meeting Tuesday were unbecoming for the council leader.

Amanda Trei also chastised a Bridge supporter for posting Councilman Ball’s address online, the same unhinged behavior she said she faced when expressing concerns about Bridge months ago.

“We deserve integrity, stability and a city where speaking the truth doesn’t make you a target,” Trei said. “We deserve better than what Mr. Bridge and Mayor Mosby are capable of offering us, and I hope that your egos can come to terms with this fact of life before it permanently ruins and fractures community trust.”

A couple of speakers backed the council, with Karen Hauenstein warning against “political maneuvering, grandstanding and things such as that,” as she veered into unrelated matters.

“I support you guys. Thank you for serving,” she added.

Martin Bender, who spearheaded multiple accusations against former Lompoc Councilwoman Gilda Cordova a few years ago, admitted that he has made new allegations involving Ball, but denied putting the council member’s address on social media.

“Let’s stick to facts and addressing the concerns and not making this a mud-throwing contest,” Bender said. 

However, Trei took issue with Bender’s comments that avoided criticizing the criminal charges faced by Bridge but aired his new allegations regarding Ball.

“I just think it seems a little bit divisive to only be concerned about the one that doesn’t have actual litigation in process against them,” Trei said. “It’s silly.”