The following citation from Section 81000 of the California Government Code is on point:
(b) Public officials, whether elected or appointed,
should perform their duties in an impartial manner,
free from bias caused by their own financial interests
or the financial interests of persons who have
supported them;
(c) Costs of conducting election campaigns have
increased greatly in recent years, and candidates have
been forced to finance their campaigns by seeking
large contributions from lobbyists and organizations
who thereby gain disproportionate influence over
governmental decisions;
By voting to approve a refund of $1.6 million in road impact fees, has not only helped bankrupt the Town, Ms. Lewis has violated the spirit, if not the letter of the California Political Reform Act.
Ms. Lewis should be held accountable.
Ms. Lewis should not be allowed to vote on the transfer in $1.1 million from the Atherton General fund to return a favor to her political contributors.
