Disagree with letter writer

Hi Tom! As I'm sure you know since you attended the Planning Commission Appointment Subcommittee meeting, there was a lot of discussion by the Councilmembers about separating "activists" from the Commissions.

According to the statistically significant and demographically representative 2025 Community Opinion Survey, only 2.8% of San Mateo residents selected "historical places" when asked what should be preserved in the future. (See pg 10)

https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/DocumentCenter/View/96894/2025-San-Mateo-Community-Survey-Report

Given that that statistic, and that the fact that the opposition letters to the CA OHP regarding the proposed Baywood historic district outnumber support letters by 9:1, I'd be concerned that advocating for something that such a small minority wants could be considered "activism". You may want to consider resigning from the San Mateo Heritage Alliance. You're such a great asset to the Senior Advisory Commission - I'd hate for you to lose your seat.

(Speaking on my own behalf as a resident 😊)

Mr. Lease appears to be a bit loose with the facts.

1. He conveniently omits the significant staff time required for this effort - estimated at about $175,000.

2. It seems Mr. Lease didn’t bother to read through the public comment packet. I did. There were well over 100 letters from residents opposing this wasteful initiative. The ratio of opposition to support was somewhere near 9 to 1.

3. It’s truly offensive to accuse ordinary citizens who speak out against this debacle of being “profit-seeking,” especially coming from someone who has long championed this proposal. Most of the letters in support seem to come from the same small clique of individuals who repeatedly push their agenda under the guise of public interest.

4. Calling this “good governance” is laughable. It’s bad policy when a vocal minority uses insider connections to push through something the majority clearly does not want.

5. As for Mr. Ebneter’s letter - its merits don’t rise or fall based on which boards or commissions Mr. Lease serves on. Though I do thank him for his civic involvement.

6. And a small but telling detail - if Mr. Lease is going to name-drop his “good friend,” he might at least spell her name correctly. It’s Hietter, not Heitter.

Perhaps for the next round, Mr. Lease should consider having a friend review his letter before submitting it. It might save him some embarrassment.

Thanks for your letter, Mr. Lease, with your version of clarifications. The biggest question, of which folks at the San Mateo Heritage Alliance, especially Ms. Hietter (not Heitter), continue to refuse to answer, is why the Heritage Alliance submission bypassed homeowners (whether they like it or not) to subjugate them to more red tape and increased costs. The way many look at it is why San Mateo must now waste $330,000 or $500,000 because the Heritage Alliance decided to trample on homeowner rights. Writing as a private citizen tired of the continued bashing of homeowner rights by the San Mateo Heritage Alliance.