San Mateans deserve campaign finance transparency

Oct 20, 2020
Oct 20, 2020 Updated Apr 13, 2025
8

Editor,

On her campaign disclosure filing (Form 497) dated Oct. 9, Candidate Amourence Lee reported receiving a campaign donation for $4,922.76 from a Political Action Committee (PAC).

(8) comments

JordanG Oct 20, 2020 9:19am

I'd suggest getting your grapes from a different market, Thomas. These seem pretty sour.

dylan20 Oct 20, 2020 9:08am

What Thomas Morgan's letter fails to note is that Amo Lee checked with the City Attorney prior to accepting this contribution, and was informed that it was not subject to the cash donation limits. If that was an error, it seems like an honest mistake, and she's been nothing but transparent and above board about this all along.

Meanwhile, another candidate, Lisa Diaz Nash, has accepted over $100K in support from the California Apartment Association, a conservative, Sacramento-based PAC that fights rent control and opposes eviction protections.

I know who I'd rather have on City Council, and it's not someone who takes a ton of money from people who don't even live here.

BTW, all this information is easily accessible here: https://www.southtechhosting.com/SanMateoCity/CampaignDocsWebRetrieval/

Thomas Morgan Oct 20, 2020 9:54am

If what you say is true it is proof of coordination with the PAC( I need to check with the City Attorney before I can accept your contribution, is a smoking gun), which is a problem.

dylan20 Oct 20, 2020 10:30am

Thomas, I don't have any proof of anything. I'm merely reminding you of what Amourence Lee told you when you first raised this issue on her Facebook page.

Christopher Conway Oct 20, 2020 7:33am

The key for San Mateans is just don't vote for Amourence Lee. Nobody even knows this woman unless you are part of the Democratic Progressive Cabal that is infecting city councils or you live in North Central and are part of the us vs. them club of malcontents. There would be nothing better to wake up after this election and have Amourence Lee out of my city hall. She is part of a group of left wing parasites infecting healthy cities with racial rhetoric, BLM and a special interest catering to only one group of people in San Mateo. Let's get rid of her once and for all and then start focusing our attention on the rest of city council in San Mateo. There rejection of the people's Measure Y is all you need to know about this current board. Save San Mateo and let's rid ourselves of Amourence Lee and all her supporters who do not even live in San Mateo or care about you or I.

craigwiesner Oct 20, 2020 10:59am

I would encourage people to get to know Councilwoman Amourence Lee, check out her web site (amourencelee.com), look at her platform, and the people who support her. Her list of endorsements is huge and incredibly diverse and I've worked with and know many of the people on that list and they are completely the opposite of what you (Christopher) describe in your comments. Amo stood with me to raise the rainbow flag over City Hall and I'll stand by her against mean-spirited attacks like this. Whether you realize it or not, the language you used in your comments is racist. My people (Jews and LGBTQIA+) have been called "infections" and "parasites" before as have Asians and too many other people, with dire results. Words matter Christopher.

Christopher Conway Oct 20, 2020 6:38pm

I don't give a red cent what you or your people find offensive. I am trying to save the city that I love from this new breed of Democrat that has I completely despise. My right, I am an American, if you do not like it, you can go pound sand for all I care Craig. I hope I am making myself crystal clear. Your attempt to silence me using your usual tactics will be ineffective, its too important to let that stop me in the slightest this election.

craigwiesner Oct 21, 2020 6:58am

And therein lies the problem. When we stop caring about others because we believe our cause is greater than the lives of those with whom we may disagree, when we use language that can and does incite violence, including a rock thrown through a San Mateo family's window while the children were playing inside, we're veering away from Democracy and that makes me sad and somewhat afraid. Of course you are free to use whatever language you like, but why can't you make your case without language that casts others as less than human? You say you love your city and I believe you. That city is made up of thousands of wildly diverse people of all political, religious, racial, socioeconomic, stripes. Can you love them as much as you love your city? They ARE the city. We ARE the city. When the election is over we are blessed to get to live with each other, help each other, cheer each other on.

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