A few weeks ago I wrote that the current people at City Hall could not tell the difference between telling the truth and not getting caught in a lie. I wonder what was going on in their minds as they savaged the grand jury’s report. Did they not know what they were risking?
Perhaps the survival instinct and/or political expediency were at the root of their “misstatements.” I would like to know if, just for a moment, somewhere in the inner recesses of their minds, they considered the very high price that San Jose was going to pay for their actions. The final accounting will certainly affect the reputations, and the futures – political and personal – of the two main players, Joe Guerra and Ron Gonzales.
But there is a more important thing that will be lost, even more significant than a public servant’s reputation. Namely, it is the bond that has existed between the Mayor of San Jose and the citizens of this city. It has weathered some very tough times and some very dicey moments; it has seen foolish moves and moments of irrational hubris. I know I was responsible for some of those. The bond has been tested at times, but never broken.
Whether it was Norm Mineta or Janet Gray Hayes or Susan Hammer, our citizens always gave the benefit of the doubt to the Mayor. They have always felt that, though temporarily misguided or rash, the Mayor was a good person and worthy of respect. That was a sacred connection, a sanctified bond between the top elected official and the governed. It set us apart from other cities and other levels of government.
I fear that bond is lost. Respect for the highest office in the city has been frayed during the Gonzales years, the mayoral image now irreparably tarnished in the minds of many. There will be an accounting for this fracture, a reckoning that will cost each and every one of us. And the shame will be with us for a long, long time.
Tom what you are discribing is not politics. The two you mention did not achive the level of incompetance so often discribed in this blog site by themselves. The frightening aspect is who enabled the office of the highest position of trust in this city to be compromised. They had plenty of help. Does that not frighten anyone. Looking back across the landscape, when I connect all the dots, I get a very unconfortable sence that “I told you so”.
I see now that had I had more respect for the “Office” of the Mayor of San Jose, I would have taken this administration head on, yet thinking I would dishonor the city by standing up to these new occupants, I simply said little when after 5 years of creating a lasting tribute to our Athletics, the San Jose Arena Hall of Fame. I allowed this wonderful tribute to be taken at will by those in power. The fact was that by the 5th year there were 600 people attending this wonderful event at the then San Jose Arena Hall of Fame Event. Ripe for a political harvest. Problem is they even took the trees.
Only years prior when the first dedication was held few came. Those same people that I had invited then and did not bother to attend had now become members of the agency that would control the annual function to present the honored athletics. Why was that done? And why in the manner that it was done? Yes I did contribute to what is now a situation that will haunt our fair city for years to come, because I did not speak out. I have the feeling that there are many that can relate to what I am saying. The healing will start when the Office of the Mayor becomes an inclusive and open part of this community.The “Office” of the Mayor would not have done such a thing to one of it’s own inhabitants.
Here I stand. My concern is the respect that we all have to have for the “Office” of The Mayor of San Jose. The silence is deafening. Give it back or get outta Dodge.
The Village Black Smith!
Tom accurately describes the real “loss” to our city as a result of this debacle.
While the policy merits of the contract can be debated, no on can deny the lack of candor has hurt the Office of Mayor.
The arrogance of the Mayor’s Office is well documented. Surrounding yourself is sycophants is not the best way to administer high office.
Because no one really is privy to how the Mayor’s Office works, it is possible that Ron simply doesn’t listen to his advisors, most of whom are outstanding individuals and great public servants.
But none of the current folks seem to have political savy or gravitas necessary to protect him or the Office . No one seems to be in a position to challenge Ron’s belief in his on omnipotence.
That was why Jude Barry was critical to Ron and his loss is still being felt. Because of their once close relationship, Ron could trust Barry to look out for him and understood any advice given was for the benefit of Gonzales.
Ron doesn’t have that relationship with anyone else. Joe Guerra is the closest thing to a political advisor in the Gonzales camp. No question he is bright, but his loyalty to Ron impairs his ability to give the kind of advice that Gonzales, at times, needs. Joe doesn’t have many friends, in fact his only real friend may be Ron—who he cannot afford to lose.
Moreover, Barry is more cautious than Joe and always thinks in strategic terms. Joe is more of a tactician, whose ability to get things done (regardless of the strategic consequences) is legendary.
These are just observations. But it is clear, after losing Barry, this Administration lost its compass and, as a result, has unitentionally steered the ship into stormy waters.
I just hope NorCal is just another dent in an already battered ship and not an iceberg that will cause the whole thing to go down.
Sacred? Sanctified?
Perhaps you are blurring the lines between church and state just a tad?
What a blatantly self-aggrandizing and inaccurate post: “our citizens always gave the benefit of the doubt to the Mayor . . . a sacred connection, a sanctified bond between the top elected official and the governed.”
Oh, Tom the Great, I never knew this sacred connection existed. You are SJ’s very own Aristotle. Thanks for enlightening us, the governed.
No doubt that Jude was the best thing about Ron. BUT, how anyone can somehow explain away Ron’s lack of ethics being due to Jude’s exit is beyond understanding. Ron is obviously more comfortable witht the likes of his ethically challenged hack, Guerra than he was with Jude. Clearly Joe’s abusive and abrasive style fit much better with Ron’s vendetta form of government. There simply is NO excuse for what Ron has done to this city. Ethics and trust are not something a staffer whispers in your ear. Either ya got it or you don’t and Gonzo and Guerra don’t got it. Time for them to go and take Del with them. If we had a city manager this would not have happened in the first place.
Are the bloggers on this site the only ones that get it? I see little hue and cry from the MurkyNews, and nothing from the general populace. Just like the 7000 or so who bothered to come out to vote in District 7 for the replacement for another ehticaslly challenged local politician.
There’s a lot of apathy out there, but who cares?
John Michael O’Connor
There is a question I would like to pose to the Bloggers of San Jose Inside. Is there any canidate for mayor that can restore a “sacred” connection to the people of San Jose or can no one do that?
I think the “sacred” connection is a figment of a former politician’s imagination. I remember the public’s connection to the McEnery City Hall as much more secular, especially when the city lost all that bond money.
Tom, you were only the Mayor…get over yourself!
Though I do not discount the bond that exists between the Mayor of San Jose and
the citizens of this city it would be more fitting to speak of the bond between
those in positions of power (political or otherwise) and the public for whom they
are accountable. The bond therefore extends to any elected and public official
within the City of San Jose.
In reading today’s Mercury News, that lays blame at the feet of City staff in
addition to the two main players, it appears that bond has been forgotten. When
one is in public service, whether elected, appointed or simply employed by a public
agency, protecting one’s self interest should always take a back seat to protecting
the public good.
When people in positions of power place their political survival ahead of the public’s
interest they not only demonstrate the lack of a moral compass they also jeopardize
the fundamental ingredient to democracy- trust.
Where are Larry Pegram and his vigilantes when you need them? I guess they don’t think a scandal is worth a re-call effort; they only go into recall mode over progressive measures approved by mayor and council. Maybe they’d spring into action if Gonzo had struck up a back room deal with a gay owned garbage hauler?
#5 mark T is absolutely right on. This Mayor Gonzo has never had and doesn’t even understand it. He has repeatedly abused his power and when is someone going to say that’s it lets get rid of this guy. If the man had any class he would resign with a big wave and say you’ve don’t have Gonzo to kick around any more.
I agree with McEnery. To expand on this-S.J. City Hall is a Grand Child of Tammany Hall. Since most Californians are history challanged
they cannot connect the dots.
Examine and compare leaders, past and present of both organizations. Spend time examining Tammany Hall history, proceedings, platforms, Unions etc. and it becomes apparant.
ti
Tom, the more things change, the more they remain the same! Maybe it`s time to exit the strong Mayor runned City and return to the “City Manager” type government.At least with the strong “City Manager Government” the buck stops with the City Manager. Today we have politics as usual.