Belmont leadership

This is the third time "you have felt compelled to respond" to this letter. Give it a rest. Your obsession is unhealthy.

Adele, your bitterness and unwarranted attacks on Deniz Bolbol throughout the campaign make me wonder a few things:

1) Why would you say Deniz had no “solid purpose” in running, when she made clear that wildfire prevention, preserving open spaces, more reasonable development, and more responsiveness by the city council were her top priorities?

2) Why would you question Deniz’ claim that “we need representation,” when she clearly showed that this council had not been responsive to a large portion of the community on issues like wildfires, open spaces, development, and many others?

3) Why have you constantly hammered Deniz about her lawsuits to make her look bad, when she won all the suits she filed and they actually show her strength of character and values in fighting to protect elephants from abuse by Ringling Brothers, and to preserve free speech rights on the issue?

4) Why would you say that Deniz’ reasons for becoming president of the BHCIA (Belmont Heights Civic Improvement Association) were “unfounded,” when her main reason was to replace you as president because you would not open board meetings to the public, even after repeated requests?

5) Why would you oppose the video recording of board meetings to maximize the openness and transparency of such meetings? These meetings are now open to the public, thanks to Deniz, and the recording of public meetings is legal in California.

It is clear to me that your attacks on Deniz were partly in retaliation for replacing you as president of the BHCIA, and partly because you oppose openness and transparency as much as this city council. That is why Belmont would have been much better off if Deniz was elected, but fortunately, the BHCIA is much better off due to her involvement.

This woman is unhinged, and the attendees of the cited meeting will confirm this. It's disappointing to say the least to see the DJ publish a raving personal vendetta which serves to purpose in public discourse. DJ violated it's own rules to commentors: "Be Truthful - don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything".

As current Vice President of BHCIA, I can guarantee that all officers won in a fair election at the annual meeting witnessed by a large membership turnout of residents. There is no requirement for any officer to have any previous Board experience as all of us are just resident volunteers wanting to make our community better. As several of us told Adele at the last BHCIA meeting, "the campaign is now over" and there is no need to further slander and accuse Deniz, especially at our homeowner’s meeting! Under your label of her so called “tyrannical” leadership, a new Crystal Springs Cross Country Course committee as well as a very important Wildfire Evacuation Plan committee was formed. Let’s now remain civil, not fanatical (this is your third time posting this exact letter) and work together to better our neighborhood!

Knowing Deniz and having worked on her campaign, I commend her for running against a slate of three incumbents that many Belmont residents felt did not represent their concerns but rather catered to developers, realtors and special interests. I also commend her for running a factual, democratic campaign on the issues whereas her opposition stooped to fear mongering by spreading lies on social media, misrepresenting facts using an 11th hour mailer and stealing her yard signs. Democracy and especially local elections should be based on truths, not lies, transparency, not conspiracy, and fact checks, not slanderous accusations.

Justin B, I'm intrigued by your silence. Comments of disagreement have posted to both Adele's and David's letters. You described counterpoints to David's letter as an attack on David and referred to Adele's minions, but are mum now when Bolbol's minions attack Adele. Is this double-standardism on your part?

And this letter to the editor reminds me of Ernest Hemingway's two phrases:
'for whom the bells tolls' and 'no man is an island’