Up and down the Peninsula this Saturday (and across the nation) people will be participating in the latest round of “No Kings” events.
For the sake of the permanent record, I am unalterably opposed to all kings, burger or otherwise.
But, marching, clever signs, speeches and horn-honking on El Camino notwithstanding, I am prompted to wonder what all this amounts to.
If the goal is to bring an end to authoritarian behavior that is rivaled only by its vicious crassness, it seems to me that at some point this protesting has to manifest itself at the ballot box.
If it is change you want, then you want the right set of hands on the levers of power. There is only one sure path for that happen, but there is serious question whether the public angst is leading somewhere concrete.
Indeed, this next set of marches, etc., comes on the heels of polling that shows public interest or confidence in upcoming elections is dismally low.
A poll on the California governor’s race last week shows “voters remain largely disengaged and unenthusiastic about the candidates and the election of the candidates at this late very stage of the election campaign,” according to Mark DiCamillo, director of the Berkeley IGS Poll. “While the five leading candidates are generally better known than the five trailing candidates, even among the leaders, significant proportions of likely voters have no opinion of the candidates.”
Yes, the governor’s race is a mess and it could be argued that the low numbers reflect candidates who have done very little to distinguish themselves.
Although it is late — mail-in ballots (assuming we still get to use them) drop in about 40 days — it is early in terms of the race forming itself into a clear lineup of leaders. I have no doubt the candidates will do what they can.
But it is up to us to show an interest and, given the urgency implicit in “No Kings” events, electoral disinterest should be unacceptable.
Due, in part to the very same people who are the objects of the “No Kings” protest, rampant skepticism is not limited to the governor’s race.
Another poll shows that only 23% of Americans are confident November’s midterm elections will not be “rigged” in favor of certain candidates.
Showing up for a protest is fine and it is a useful means for people to vent their frustrations. But while it may be a powerful experience, it is not power.
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COMMUNITY OF ONE: Speaking of protests, the opposition to a detox facility in San Mateo is generating an astounding, even embarrassing, level of overt anger and rage, judging by a community meeting Tuesday night. At the meeting, people were shouting and disrupting the efforts of anyone who attempted to support the facility.
The mantra of opposition is simple and predictable: We support a detox facility, just not here. The alternative seems to be somewhere else, wherever that magical place might be.
One of the more vociferous critics of the facility’s placement is longtime community activist Taso Zografos, who did something interesting in an email intended to rouse opposition. He signed the email “District 1 Community Representative.”
Zografos is neither an elected representative, nor does he claim to be the leader of a specific community-based organization.
In a telephone interview, Zografos declined to address directly the question whether listing himself as a “District 1 Community Representative” is misleading and implies that he is something more than just a regular resident kicking up a fuss.
“District 1 is a community. And I’m acting as representative of that community. There are many representatives of a community in a democracy,” he said. “In my opinion, every person’s voice matters and they’re representative of the district.”
Pressed again whether he is implying a greater level of authority, Zografos said, “I think it’s clear.”
That is interesting. I think so, too.
By the way, Zografos has taken out papers as a potential challenger to incumbent Councilmember Lisa Diaz Nash, but he said, “I have not made a decision to run. I have not decided.”
NAME CHANGES: Governments at every level and throughout California are scrambling to remove Cesar Chavez’s name from schools, parks and streets and take down or cover up statues and murals bearing his likeness — undoing decades of an iconization that seemed a no-brainer and even safe.
This follows a decade of name-changes and statuary removal reflecting shifts in mores and acceptable (or unacceptable) opinions.
Maybe the answer is to name things after things. The problem with naming things after people is that they turn out to be people.
(8) comments
Taso Zografos is a well respected member of the core group representing district 1 on this important topic. Citizens have just cause to be astounded at the lack of transparency on this detox center.
San Mateo County leaders yank support for treatment center at 101 N. El Camino Real at the edge of the Baywood neighborhood
Mounting complaints over behavioral health center plan lead more leaders to reassess backing
By Alyse DiNapoli, Daily Journal staff Mar 19, 2026 Updated 12 hrs ago 2
Does not make sense to have this on the edge of downtown (for San Mateo or any City in San Mateo County) this Is the economic engine for the City. While many are focused on VLF funding going away. Many policies including housing will cause city and county revenues (unintended consequence) to decrease. The policies will limit fees and taxes other than property tax to decrease or go away..transit is funded by sales tax eliminating sales tax generating businesses for housing is in conflict with promoting TOD.
Thank you Taso for effectively voicing our concerns as a much respected and appreciated member of District 1. We are fortunate to have someone like you speak up for us. Clearly this angers those who don't want anyone to get in the way of their agendas, such as Noelia Corza. Mark Simon too with this angry, slanted article trying to disparage your efforts.
Exactly. DJ does not even try to hide their bias. Noelia Corzo buried the project in the consent agenda without giving the community any information. Taso Zografos pushed for meetings to explain the project to the community. Of, course, the DJ missed that aspect.
As someone who attended the meeting, I think this framing misses the central issue.
What was problematic about that evening was not the people in the room—it was the failure of leadership to convene a functional public meeting. There was no structure, no facilitation, no appropriate venue for the number of attendees, and no meaningful opportunity for dialogue. People came with legitimate questions about a major public project and had no clear way to ask them or receive answers.
In that vacuum, attendees tried to create some order themselves. Singling out one individual, like Taso Zografos, is misleading—he was one of many residents attempting to engage constructively in a situation that lacked basic organization.
The core issue is that Noelia Corzo, who was responsible for the meeting, did not provide the structure or engagement needed for a forum of this scale and importance. Repeated, substantive questions from constituents went unanswered.
This was not a story about “NIMBY” outrage. It was a community asking for transparency, accountability, and dialogue—and not receiving it.
Over 700 letters went into the county last week regarding the lack of transparency on this project. Who knows what the number it up to now. Three superintendents pulled their support on this, including Jackie Speir, David Canepa and Ray Mueller. Many members in District 1 are talking about starting a recall on Supervisor Noelia Corzo. People want transparency on everything these days. When are elected officials going to get the message that public awareness is elevated and many future problems and fights can be avoided if, the elected officials due their job right in the first place.
Not sure what prompted you to write a hit piece on Taso Zografos and the controversy over the location of the detox center, but I am a resident of District 1 and deeply appreciate the work Taso has done to force the County (especially Supervisor Corzo) and Horizon to address resident questions. Corzo has been dismissive and unwilling to have a town hall where resident concerns can be fully vetted. Even Jackie Speier was quoted in local media that this has not been rolled out with the right level of community input and feels this is not the right location for the center. I, and many others in the community, thank Taso for his tireless work on this issue and his work to keep the conversation civil and ongoing. It would be great if you did a little digging to get to the truth of this issue and not fall prey to dirty tactics, which you know are rampant in this fine city of ours.
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