The most recent post is not an anonymous or a mean spirited misstatement. Council Members Widmer, McKeithen, and Dobbie (WMD) have made videos, issued press releases, written a guest opinion- ”Police union's robocall intimidates residents”, and been quoted in the Almanac in the story: ”Atherton police association tactics under fire in election.”
Actions to intimidate voters are felonies, yet no police reports were filed, which would make for “verifiable facts”.
During this time registration activity on the Athertonian’s Blog has bee averaging three residents per day for the last three weeks.
The blog allows Athertonians to form their own opinions which may not agree with WDM and question how they are spending taxpayer dollars.
The recent post and disagreement is a comment with questions on a letter the Mayor sent out regarding the APOA from Don Way of Patricia Ave.
“November 1, 2012
October 31 we received a letter dated October 18 from "The Mayor" (no name) of Atherton.
We believe the mailing to be a misuse of taxpayer dollars for political purposes. If the Mayor does not like the people (Elizabeth Lewis and Cary Wiest) the APOA endorsed for council, he should have to use his own campaign funds to promulgate his beliefs just as the Atherton Police Officers Association did. The Mayor needs to be a statesman.
Referring to our police as people who issue unspecified "misleading statements" is not statesmanship.
What can be his agenda? Is it to go into negotiations next year in hostility so that he can walk from the talk and justify outsourcing? Is it to get his candidates elected?
Among other questions my wife and I would like to see answered publicly:
1. The letter was unsigned. Is the Mayor representing the entire Council? Did the whole council approve his message?
2. How about informal or sub-committee discussions on local policing? I just do not believe there have been no communications with APOA.
3. Incomplete budget information was given regarding our police force - how about comparing staffing and response rates to last year, not to half a decade ago?
Already the next question is on the table.
The Almanac reports that regarding Library campaign fundraising that:
“The state-mandated campaign report shows that by Oct. 20, total contributions to the Friends of Holbrook-Palmer Park Supporting Measure F totaled $6,875… The campaign had, however, spent $22,529.
The questions are already being posted: Who gives a campaign $14,000 in credit? Where is the money going to come from? The ballot measure is signed by Widmer, Dobbie, and McKeithen-- Denise Kupperman is the largest donor at $1000.00 with McKeithen at $500.00. Can any of the four provide a comment?
Hopefully Ms. Legallet does not think it mean spirited if someone on the Athertonians’ blog asks where the extra $14,000 is going to come from?
