Editor,
Was the recent council reorganization decision a glimpse into the future governance of Foster City? The choices of who was to serve as mayor/vice mayor was controlled by Mayor Sam Hindi and Councilman Herb Perez, contrary to the vocal opinions by several residents. Hindi and Perez blatantly disregarded returning to the rotation method of selecting the mayor/vice mayor.
After residents spoke to the matter and despite a petition signed by over 350 residents, the plea was ignored by both men.
Newly elected Sanjay Gehani nominated Councilwoman Catherine Mahanpour, who was next in line for mayor or vice mayor, but it was new councilmember Richa Aswathi who cast the swing vote putting Hindi and Perez in those positions. Interestingly enough, Aswathi committed to residents that she would be an independent thinker and would not be influenced by the strong mindedness of Perez and Hindi.
To what end are Mayor Hindi and Vice Mayor Perez trying to control this council?
Voters elect five people to represent them in the work of the city. All are qualified to serve as mayor/vice mayor, therefore, should have the opportunity to serve in those positions. To suggest otherwise must be questioned. Members of the public exited the council chambers in protest when Hindi and Perez were selected.
Over the next few years, we face critical issues locally and regionally and we need a council of five working together, not a council of three. In my opinion, this new council begins the new year on a questionable note and residents should carefully assess the decisions they make going forward.
Linda Koelling
Foster City
The letter writer is the former mayor of Foster City.
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(1) comment
Hindi and Perez appointing themselves Mayor and Vice Mayor with help from their rubber stamp favored new member, Richa Awasthi, was predetermined long before the December 10 public council meeting. Was this a Brown Act violation?
Every resident of Foster City needs to ask Mayor Hindi, why it is that he’s been vice mayor once and now mayor twice since 2016, while Council Member Mahanpour, a law professor and court appointed children’s rights advocate, who came into office at the same time, has been deemed unqualified? Is it mysogeny, arrogance, greed or all of the above?
Hindi and Perez have engineered a power play to marginalize Council Members Mahanpour and Sanjay Gehani, despite the fact that new member Gehani won a landslide vote, highest number ever, on a platform of change. If the will of residents is of zero concern to the Mayor and Vice Mayor, one must ask, who’s will are they submitting to?
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