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https://n2v.almanacnews.com/square/print/2009/09/12/editorial-public-meeting-before-contract-talks-begin-a-good-idea

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Editorial: Public meeting before contract talks begin a good idea

Original post made on Sep 12, 2009

Anyone who believes the citizen-based San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury is an unfailingly neutral body incapable of political play is not living in the real world. But to dismiss its recent report on escalating employee costs in the county's cities as "clearly ideologically driven, and clearly politically driven," as Menlo Park City Councilwoman Kelly Fergusson did at a recent meeting, is just not reasonable or fair.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 12:00 AM

Comments

Posted by Ella
a resident of Menlo Park: Stanford Hills
on Sep 12, 2009 at 2:18 pm

The San Mateo County Grand Jury is neutral. It is an investigative body seeking the truth. It is ethnically, geographically, and politically diverse. Like any investigative body sometime its information it receives is not completely factual. But the findings were right on the mark. We have city employees who are overpaid by 43% and are receiving benefits 63% higher than private industry. And all of this is with job security.

I witnessed Ms. Fergusson's temper tantrum on television and I felt quite sorry for her. Either she is not living in the real world or she has been completely co-opted by the SEIU. Either way, she is not representing the residents of Menlo Park and she would be well advised to step down from the City Council.

Mayor Robinson was not much better. For him to condone Ms. Fergusson's rude and unprofessional behavior is an indication that he is unable to conduct a city council meeting with dignity and professionalism. Heyward Robinson should consider resigning as mayor and turning over the reins to Richard Cline. I am quite optimistic that Richard Cline would do a much better job as mayor than Heyward Robinson.

And why is Lee Duboc the subject of character assasination? I have read her news letters and Ms. Fergusson's attitude about shooting the meesenger in not a healthy one. Like Lee Duboc, or not, she has a very powerful message and that is either we get our house in fiscal order or we too will suffer dire consequences with drastically reduced City services as entitlements crowd out the operating budget.

I was truly embarassed for the City of Menlo Park after witnessing Kelly Fergusson's puerile behavior on television. Menlo Park has a very well educated population. Yet, we have council members who participate in meetings with the maturity of adolescents. Menlo Park is the laughing stock of San Mateo County. We can do better.

We have an election coming up and I recommend that the people vote to retain Richard Cline and vote out Heyward Robinson. Mr. Robinson just does not have what it takes to be an effective city councilman, much less a mayor.

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