Response to attacks

Adele, your bitterness and unwarranted attacks on Deniz Bolbol throughout her campaign for Belmont City Council 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’s 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 against cities, they actually show her strength of character and values in fighting to protect elephants from abuse by Ringling Brothers and they show the preservation of free speech rights on the issue?

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

It is clear to me that your attacks on Deniz were largely 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.

Tim E. Strinden

Belmont