Incoming Councilmember Rose Herrera is already stirring up drama on the 18th floor after she abruptly fired her senior policy analyst Mark Tiernan—two days before the holiday break. It seemed even more odd to some City Hall staffers, considering Tiernan was the lead man on Herrera’s transition team—and was her top pick for chief of staff. So what happened? It seems that Tiernan, who ran former Vice Mayor Dave Cortese’s campaign for county supervisor, had told Herrera that until March, he was only available to work for her part time, because he is studying for the California bar exam, and he’d go full time after that. Herrera went ahead and hired Jennifer Malutta for the chief of staff job, and made Tiernan her policy director. Apparently, Tiernan’s new job title didn’t sit well with Malutta, who had a Come-to-Jesus meeting with Herrera explaining that it made it sound like he had more policy expertise than she did. Whether Herrera agreed with that or not we will never know (in part because she hasn’t returned Fly’s phone calls). But she did sign off on downgrading Tiernan’s title to “senior policy analyst.” (Does this sound ridiculous yet?) Sometime between his meeting with Herrera and printing new business cards, someone somewhere decided he had to get the boot. Herrera fired him after Tiernan led Herrera’s transition into City Hall, helping her hire staffers and secure the committee assignments she wanted. On the 18th floor, City Hall staffers watched this situation unfold and were, well, a little perplexed. As one city hall staffer put it: “How do you go from being No. 1 to being let go the day before break? Start filling in the blanks… the chief of staff couldn’t handle having someone strong on board, and Rose, being indecisive, said ‘Ok whatever, just hold my hand and don’t let go.’”
Last time I checked, staffers serve at the pleasure of the elected official.
Armando Gomez seems to keep his job even after considerable budget deficits. Seems Gomez is there to create deficits so that Reed can seize more emergency control, and make sure there is plenty of mayo for sandwiches.
#1- James Rowen said,” Last time I checked, staffers serve at the pleasure of the elected official.”
I agree with you on that James but for some reason these staffers don’t seem to get that. They get a job with the Mayor or Council Person and forget that they are not in charge and don’t call the shots, their BOSS does. We elected these Council Members and the Mayor; we did NOT elect their staff.
This is a real shame. I have worked with and know Mark. He is a decent, integrity-ridden guy. Oh well it is Rose’s loss! I’m sure an intelligent man like Mark will land on his feet.
Granted that Mark is a good guy, Kathleen and I agree, Mark would be an outstanding addition to any staff. We agree. We also agree that some staffers think they are the elected officials, Erick Schoenauer claimed often that he was more qualified to determine policy than council members. Armando Gomez thinks he knows more about mayo than Chuck “Mayo” Reed, the angry man!
#3
With all due respect, I take exception to the negative tone of your comment re: Erik Schoennauer. Erik is a fine and upstanding San Jose citizen and neighbor. I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of working with Erik on several neighborhood related projects (traffic calming and the re-opening and rehabilitation of Ryland Pool to name two), and his knowledge IS amazing. His attitude of wanting to contribute to the betterment of neighborhoods speaks volumes about his integrity and willingness to put his money where his mouth is. He and I may not always agree on everything, but he is a person I listen to, learn from, and highly respect.
Besides all of the above, Erik probably does know more about policy than some council folks. What’s so wrong with learning from each other?
Thank you for hearing another point of view.
Tina
Jennifer Malutta was Joe Guerra’s lackey in the Gonzales Administration…
Does it surprise anyone that she fired someone shortly after taking her job?
http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/12.03.98/public-eye-9848.html
Speaking of Guerra, the dynamic lobbying firm of DeRollo/Saggau/Guerra must be excited to FINALLY have someone on the ‘inside’ that will return their calls…
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/clerk/Lobby/RegisteredLobbyist.pdf
#4- Tina,
I don’t know Erik, so I can’t comment on him. I agree with you, we can all learn from one another, and that is why the Mayor and Council pick staff that is more knowledgeable than they are in a certain area. Where I take exception is when these staff members allow the power of their position to go to their heads, and FORGET their place. I blame the Mayor or Councilperson for not being on top of their staff. And while I understand that at times, they may be too busy to over see staff all the time, there is still no excuse for some of the behaviors I’ve seen from some of the people on the 18th floor. Council staffers are not empowered to make decisions for anyone; they are, as James said, there to carry out the wishes of their bosses. Of course not ALL Council Aides do that, more times than not they are excellent, caring persons who really do a great job.
To bad all of this couldn’t be happening on the “48th floor,” vs. the 18th. Move our damn downtown airport to Hollister or the Central Valley! Thank you and Happy New Year.
Anybody surprised at how often smug, former staffers wind up being super-pimps for developers?
#7 What lunacy!
Who needs 48 floors?
Fire engine ladders can’t even reach the 18th floor.
Why is higher better, especially in Earthquake Country. Is there a single economic justification for building higher?
If you like highrises move to NYC.
It’s 2009, not the 1950s.
I like SJC airport right where it is!
It’s relatively easy to get to by public transport and several nearby freeways.
Much money has been invested in the present airport and would be completely wasted by moving it elsewhere. Who else would want a noisy jet airport with only a single overcrowded freeway nearby? If you like quiet go ahead and move to Hollister (I can’t hear planes taking off here in Santa Cruz; only barking seals at night a mile away).
Relocating SJC is plain stupid (unless you’re feeding on the public trough).
How about a reality checkup?
pgp3
pgp3 in Republik of Santa Cruz writes: “Relocating SJC is plain stupid (unless you’re feeding on the public trough). How about a reality checkup?”
No kidding. Has “Move SJC!” noticed that expensive new terminal rising east of 87? Move SJC to Hollister and we’ll just induce more sprawl. We’d have to widen SR25. The new airport would devour some prime agricultural land. Getting there would be a pain in the butt.
I live near SJC and the airplanes don’t bother me a bit. What’s really annoying about San Jose is that the garbage trucks are allowed to make pick-ups on quiet residential streets as early as 6 AM. Now that’s a law that needs to be changed.
Moving the San Jose Airport to Hollister, or beyond, is the single best thing that can be done for San Jose. In its current location, it is wasting 1000 acres of land that could be put to a much more productive use for the betterment of San Jose.
Additionally, the absurd restrictions imposed by the FAA on developing San Jose would no longer be in place, thus allowing San Jose to actually make building decisions which will enhance San Jose. Naturally, all these enhancements resulting from using the 1000 acres in an intelligent manner would increase tax revenue.
Of course, by moving the airport, the quality of life and standard of living for a very large portion of Northern Santa Clara County, including San Jose, would dramatically improve.
It appears the only people who want the airport to stay in its present location are financially tied to the airport, not to bright, or selfish individuals who are only concerned with their own convenience.
Would someone like to address the fact that Mr. Kindness, Erik Schonauer actually told three community leaders to “get lost” at a community meeting two years ago, and that “people opposing these projects do not even understand their own district.”
Nice Guy??? Again, it is well documented that Erik Schonauer ihas even told community leaders to their face, “get an understanding of the process before you bother me again.”
#11,
Outstanding post! What #9,10 don’t realize is that any new airport for SJ located in south county, San Benito Co., or the central valley would be connected to SJ proper via the proposed high-speed rail line. No need to drive! Just park, board a bullet, and be at the “New remote SJC” in <40 minutes. What about the new terminal being built? Adaptively re-use it to become a train/transit terminal for “New remote SJC.” You could still have money-making ticketing, car rental, parking, concession services at the current complex; albeit serving as a train terminal for service out to “New remote SJC.” My apologies for straying off the Rose Herrera subject, but it’s never a bad time to think outside the box for our great city.
Any super-pimp, former staffers ready to lobby for relocating the airport?
Isn’t the purpose of a community meeting in planning to gauge the community? Not lecture them? Last time I checked, this cutey pie, Erik told people he knew more about their neighborhood than they did? Real good way to gauge community opinion, playing divide and conquer.
Anyone ever consider why Cortese didnt take Tiernan with him to county or even offer him a position (as trustworthy sources have hinted)? Or how Tiernan may have felt after Herrera didnt offer him Chief when ,according to the article, Staff thought it was odd to go from number one to fired (number one according to whom)? Could he have possibly not been qualified for the title he wanted and was pissed as a result? How much policy experience does he have? Was he even promised Policy Director or did he ask for the position? What did those business cards really read when they were sent to the printers? I mean come on now people, city hall is filled with people who’s egos need to be stroked on a hourly basis…and when that doesnt happen and people get realisitic, the blow to that ego could cause bad vibes that translate into their work..resulting in dismissal. Why is this so shocking to people? He could be a great guy, but consider the rest.
#7, 11, 13 airport movers.
Why bother to move SJC to Hollister or beyond?
Just abandon the existing airport!
It’ll be easier for most of us to fly out of SFO via access to several freeways, Caltrain and Bart than to travel gridlocked Hollister.
From Santa Cruz it takes less than half hour to arrive at the current SJC airport.
SFO is a superior airport vs. SJC. Several interesting art exhibits are scattered around the airport as well as a museum. The exhibits are changed regularly. I used to spend some hours before or after I picked up or delivered friends to SFO to view those exhibits. Now that they charge $3/hour to park close by I mostly use public transport to get to SFO.
Two interesting exhibits were intricate laser-cut models of SF City Hall dome and Golden Gate Bridge tower. But they hid those out of view in the Customs section of the airport.
Before the 17 Express Bus when returning from a Europe flight I used to hop an early evening TWA flight between SFO and SJC. It flew quite low with spectacular views of the beautiful Bay area. In those days it was a joy to fly. Once at SJC I usually, within ten minutes, bum a ride home to Santa Cruz.
SJC at Hollister or in Central Valley would be a monster white elephant. Without the present Downtown San Jose Airport there is hardly any reason for many to actually set foot in the City of San Jose.
pgp3
Hi #12,
While I have not personally witnessed any blatent rudeness on Erik’s part (quite the opposite), I have been in meetings where conversations have gotten heated and folks have said things in anger, frustration, etc. which they have regretted later. It’s very unfortunate and these types of behaviors can be hurtful and shut people/meetings down. Worse, it gives a false, incorrect impression of the true nature of a person. Personal example: Folks used to tell me I came off as being too direct to the point of seeming curt, a behavior which is certainly not my intention.
I think it’s important to remember that while actions or behaviors may be inappropriate at a given time, it does not necessarily represent the true nature of the person. For example, on this very blog various people’s actions are openly, publicly criticized and people’s characters are ripped apart. While the blogger’s behavior is less than exemplary, the blogger may actually be a good person at heart.
Sometimes it’s best to focus on the situation, issue or behavior, and not on the person. And, if possible, confront the behavior directly instead of letting anger fester into resentment.
My .02 anyway.
Have a Happy New Year.
Tina