Even though I am in Boston trying to concentrate on watching Joe Thornton (briefly) and the Sharks make a triumphant return to Beantown, the council’s recent comments on the censure of the mayor were quite incredible and his action to remove “himself” even more bizarre. The council members seem not to understand the gravity of the issue by the tone of their comments, or in some of their cases, non-comments; Mr. Gonzales does.
This week one council member was too busy to comment, another traveling and unavailable, and a third doesn’t know the committees the mayor serves on. Yet another says she is against it, but will vote for anything the others want. Topping it off, Councilman Yeager thinks the Coyote Valley study comes back in ‘06, according to the Mercury, when Ron Gonzales is not in office any longer. Does he know something about Gonzales leaving or is he or our paper confused on the calendar?
Adjectives fail here to adequately describe the inability of this council to deal with issues of the greatest gravity for our community. Maiming the mayor and hurting the city, taking him off this and that committee, is the cowardly way to avoid many of the real issues. I had hoped that in this crisis, the critical middle members of the council would assert themselves. Gonzales has precluded that and prompted one to ponder why he even wants to stay, being so diminished in the office.
The bond with the citizens of our city is crumbling around them and they vacillate and refuse to comment or deal with this most fundamental of issues: trust. Gonzales has helped them procrastinate—he is guilty of one more mistake. The majority of this council is humiliating itself in its timidity and silence. It is sad and remarkably strange.
It seems that even the most charitable of assessments must conclude that this council does not want the great responsibility that they possess as our elected representatives. They have a lot of questions to answer, and not to a grand jury but to the citizens of San Jose.
I attended the city hall comedy act on Tuesday (1:30-7PM). First they held a rousing retirement (not resignation) ceremony for Del. Del and Ron patted each other on the back, a few times.
In addition, there was an award ceremony in which they were bestowed fame for dropping CO2 emmissions in the city. Not an hour later they were voting to give away four million of our dollars to some slick suiters from the Grand Prize/Prix. Literally looking to pay for the return of the CO2 by way of these cars that nobody could see last year.
There is very little procedure being followed at city hall these days. David Cortese made comment that, “even if I was a business man I would not make a four million dollar decision on a days notice. ” Few on the council agreed. Mr. Cortese mentioned that it was out of procedure and that 72 hours was in order. It appeared nobody on the council cared about procedure.
Chuck Reed played it cool, but the points were made on the front page of the Mercury yesterday morning.
Forrest Williams buckled on the Grand Prix. Calling the four million a marketing situation for the city, and a small cost to get roads rebuilt. However, he started to push the agenda on Ron’s departure and Ron held him off. A censured mayor forced Mr. Williams to quiet down. Ron wasn’t interested in being removed.
I concur…….the council did not assert themselves on this matter. However, the lack of assertiveness is not half as scary as the compliance shown by the majority of the members. They are complying with behaviors that violate all protocol and procedure. Frankly, exacerbating the very ills they claim to be eradicating.
It is time for change.
The Mercury News Editorial on Monday sealed Ron’s fate. He can count votes—removing himself on his own terms can best be described as damage control.
But what was really damaging was the Mercury Editorial that it laid out the entire record showing a “pattern of behavior”.
The garbage incident was, in my opinion, the least offensive transgression for a myriad of reasons already debated. But the cumulative damage from all the incidents finally took their toll.
Personally, I don’t think a weakened Mayor serves San Jose. With a year to go, what’s the point?
I also note that actions of some councilmembers was precipitated by pure politics, rather than thoughtful analysis, moral outrage or the best interests of San Jose.
Reed and Cortese’s attacks were to be expected as they position themselves for Mayor.
Cindy took a leadership role in the censorship, but nothing in this debacle helps her politically. Her efforts may have saved Gonzales his job. But that is not neceassarily politically positive for her.
Yeager, after having voted for the Garbage contract, took a lead role in removing the Mayor from his committees.
As a candidate for County Supervisor, I think he felt the need to “one up” Linda Lezotte who had voted against the contract.
In any case, it was out of character for Yeager to take the lead role in removing the Mayor from some of his powers.
Lezotte, to her credit, could have been more aggressive for political reasons—but chose a more moderate course—at least in public.
In any case the political fallout from this episode, unless the DA finds something the Grand Jury and Investigator missed, will have a short shelf life, politically—despite Chuck and Dave’s attempts to keep it alive.
Their hope lies with the DA finding something more than currently exists. It’s the political equivilant to a hail mary—but given their current position in the Mayor’s race—it’s a pass worth trying—for them.
Don’t blame Council Member Ken Yeager too much for confusing ‘06 with ‘07 in a hasty comment to media.
Chuck Reed sent out his annual campaign calendar around Christmas and it contained several small errors and four serious errors.
One of his smaller errors is his “confusion” about Groundhog Day. Reed thinks it is Feb. 3, when it is really Feb. 2.
In a serious error, Reed completely failed to include Holocaust Memorial Day which is Jan. 27 and marks an important and tragic occasion for us all. What could be Reed’s “confusion” in overlooking this well known date?
You are correct in your assessment of this council. They are an embarrassment to themselves and to the city. It is hard to believe anyone who is following what is going on at city hall can think of San Jose as a “big city.”
On top of all of this, the council continues with business as usual. Once again a secret, last minute deal surfaces and the council goes along with it. The SJ Grand Prix, which was supposed to reap bagloads of gold for the city coffers, now turns out to have cost the city unexpected hundreds of thousands of dollars and will cost millions more. Whether we should have the Grand Prix or not is not the issue. The issue is how many times are we, the taxpayers, going to let the council give away our money with virtually no public discussion. Perhaps the money should be spent, but should the deal have been done secretly, with no public review? If you believe in good and open government, then the answer is no.
Contact your councilmember and let them know. Better yet, remember this action and their ridiculous comments as mentioned by Tom, at election time.
Isn’t it time that our leadership reflected our claim to be a “big city?”
Good to have Rich back in the game. Somebody on here has to carry Cindy’s water, since the public certainly isn’t. Cindy took a leadership role in the “censorship”?? When she couldn’t stop it she got in front of it—kind of like being ridden out of town on a rail and getting in front of the mob to make it look like a parade. Good try, though, Rich.
Dale,
Your reference may be too obtuse for some. . .
I have not seen the Reed calander, but I assume it was an attempt to note most, if not all, ethnic holidays and remembrances.
I am sure the calander was put together by his political consultant Victor Ajlouny- a longtime advocate for Palestinian causes.
Though I disagree with Victor on many issues, including and especially Israel—his ommission of Holocaust day was probably unintentional.
Victor, to my knowledge, has never let his personal politics influence his decision to pander for votes from anybody.
Just fyi
Why does San Jose need a Gran Prix? Nobody spent a lot of money last year, if you don’t count the city, and the damage done to city property is still visible downtown. Most of the merchants I have spoken to report that they would perfer not to participate in another since they didn’t make enough money last year to compensate for the business they lost due to the crowd, small as it was, pushing out the regulars.
This doesn’t even count the expense for overtime police services that were required to protect and serve the people of San Jose.
If local big business wants to sponsor an event such as a gran prix, I’m in favor of it with the caveat that they put their own money on the line not mine. But then it’s only 4 million isn’t it?
Think about it… could have gone for garbage.
It’s awful that another last minute item has hit the Council agenda that commits $4 million from taxpayers for San Jose’s “Grand Prix”. As the Merc reported this morning, some Council members took the position that San Jose should not be “risk-adverse”, while others, Cortese in particular, mentioned that the public’s business should be conducted in public. Sadly, to conduct the tax payers business out in the open is just an opinion by one or two Council members, rather than a core value on how to operate at City Hall. As usual, Gonzo spoke about “a deal being a deal.” Another secret deal, of course! At a time when the City budget will have a shortfall of millions of dollars, and basic services are being squeezed out of City programs, is being the only community in the country to subsidize a car race a good idea? The Gonzo and Guerra show continues….
For a city that can blow half a billion on a new city hall without a second thought – 4 million is *champ* change.
Look at the big picture – what better venue than a day at the races for our dear leaders, companies, and their lobbyists to get together and come up with new and better ways to seperate the citizenry from their hard earned tax dollars?
Here’s a couple of earth and taxpayer friendly alternatives to the Champ Car races that should be considered.
– Prius racing
– Bulldoze Cesar Chavez plaza and make it into a gas powered remote control car racing track
You can keep it up, but your elected representatives remain a distant 2nd to our San Diego elected officials.
The only addition we could possibly use down here is Arnold. He would be a great reminder to us that you can indeed spend more than you take in.
We may be number 2, but we’re trying hard.
Gene,
Being that you’re from SD, have you by chance met a character there who goes by the name of “Smurf” and whom argues incessantly about the boundaries of downtown SF?
If you see him, be sure to give him ‘gards from everyone at SJI. JMO just hasn’t been the same ever since the Smurf-ster checked out and moved to SoCal.
Let me start by saying this, I also recieved a annual campaign calendar by Chuck Reed and around six months ago I spoke to a gentleman by the name of Larry Flores, who by the way is also running for Mayor of San Jose. The funny thing is that his card that he gave me states for his slogan “Just one of us, restoring the pride of San Jose”. Question, Couldn’t Chuck Reed come up with one of his own? (instead he took his) I also found out Larry Flores is the third canidate to file with the city with intent to run for office, the first to have a website up pertaining to the mayoral race and was the first canidate to use LarryFloresformayor.com His website has some great points and he said he will do a update on it this coming month. My vote is for the Underdog of this race! It’s great to know that the other canidates are copying someone that’s not in office!
Do you really expect that San Jose’s City Council Career Politicians would act in the public interest rather than continuing to advancing their individual politician careers as well as their own and campaign contributors financial well being?
IF so you are either an eternal optimist, really stupid or politically naive? Take your pick
Our City Council has no interest based on their actions in honest, open, fiscally responsible participatory government.
It will either require them to do considerably more work or prevent them from paying back their friends, special interest campaign contributors and supporting other career politicians in raising campaign funds and advancing their political careers.
Gonzales – Guerra have been doing close door back room deals for years, so why are you now surprised now after all thes
e years?
They all knew or should of known, unless they want to use the
It seems to me that these back door deals that keep getting done are a violation of the Brown Act. Can the SJI or the JMO look into this for us? Does San Diego enforce the Brown Act? Does anyone know where Smurf is? Maybe he can put San Jose back together.
Rich, in #3, only points out some of the “damage control” done by Gonzo’s move to remove himself from the committees.
He also pre-empted another spectacle of allowing various councilpeople 10 minutes each to take a public whack at him, his ethics, the Norcal deal, etc. ..all of the things they didn’t get around to saying in December. Pretty slick!
Can’t wait for Chuck Reed to be elected as our new mayor.
OK. Valuable information, thank you.
My inquiry is this; do I need the lesson, or can I take your word for it?
I have filed some claims against some city agencies. I am not doubting the tension, anxiety, lack of follow through and total abuse of dignity that one experiences from it. Thank you for reminding me of it. I agree that Actions speak louder than words. But I also believe that energy needs to be conserved for the issues we have a shot at. I accept your experience as valid and want to look at another option. I hope you agree and we can find another effort to work on.
Novice, I do not know Smurf. Probably operates below the radar screen and rarely seen during day light hours. I do think Santa brought a Smurf to our home years ago, however I think that version was stuffed with cotton. Which brings to mind that perhaps that version would have done rather well on our San Diego City Council as a special interest could have raised his hand with little resistance to approve a city pension increase. Unfunded deficit now appears to be approximately 2Billion, not including future medical benefits. As the late Senator Dirkson once said “billion here, billion there, pretty soon we will be talking about real money.”
I think it might be time for this council to all resign make it easy for all of us. A mass resignation. San Jose would become the most interesting city in the country. Then they could all volunteer to help with the crownds at the Grand Prix. As for post 22 we have offered to trade or mayor and city council for that of San Diego. We already know they all suck.
Wwe can rant and rave allwe want but nothing is going to change under the present circumstances. There should be a permanet media site where the history of the actions taken by our politicians continues to expose thier actions everyday prior to to election day. They count on the public to “forget and forgive” what they have done. Let’s keep them exposed for what they have done to or not done for the public. Maybe a big banner on this blog site!
We need to act now and everyday until election time.
Dennis,
Yes, the recent Grand Prix public funds give away was probably a Brown Act violation but most of us have given up on filing Brown Act complaints since
1) there is no penality that the DA will act upon
2) next week thay will come back and pass exactly the same legislation and give away our $ 4 million public funds after properly posting the agenda and information and ignoring everyone’s 2 minutes since as Ron clearly stated ’ the deal is a deal ” in the back room except for that bothersome conduct the public’s business in public process
Brown Act (California Government Code
I continue to hear about several council members who are really “good” guys. Well if this so where were they when the bell tolled?
In my opinion, they were either to dumb, such as Cindy, or to smart, such as Yeager to know or care about what was going on around them.
And, it seems to me, that they are all posturing to become the next mayor of the city that can’t figure out how.
These people should serve the taxpayers of the city. Instead it’s a well paid job for most of them with great benefits and a schedule that lets them travel and hob-knob with the elite.
Take away their staff and most of them would fall flat and I’ll risk the bet that none of them could answer a question about what is going on with any specific agenda item.
I’ve watched them and am astounded at how much they resemble stumps in a logged out forest in the far north.
I don’t know them well enough to dislike them but their politics stink.
I’d call our so-called city council “Bush League”, but that would insult the name of two Presidents.
The Grand Prix subsidy matter comes up from our allegedly weakened Mayor on virtually no notice, and not a single councilmember has the spine to make a motion to put it over for a couple of weeks so that everyone can look over the numbers. Jeez!
Gelvey #8—right on re business lost. I spoke to several restaurant owners in San Pedro Square—seemingly a natural for dining on race days. They all said they lost money…mostly due to the fact that the normally free parking on weekends turned into paid parking. One owner said he lost a large party that had reservations because the parking would have cost them $90.00 before they even got to the restaurant. Validation stickers for restaurant owners all over town would be good, so that they could keep their regular patrons.
Novice #13: you sound like you know smurf’s true identity. So, now that he’s in San Diego he can’t access the net and argue with me about what is a downtown?
All career politicians understand that there’s a lot of apathy out there. They take their money and they do the bidding of the donors.
I’m surprised Richie R hasn’t given us his tirade on how term limits are the problem, and that we need career politicians who have institutional memory.
JMO—How can you insult a Bush who is barely even qualified to sit on this city council, let alone pretend to be president?