Skeptical of the General Plan process

Great letter Jack, thank you for illustrating how silly the pro density and congestion attitudes emanating out of city hall. Our council members are mad at the people they govern over in San Mateo and they initiated Measure R to confuse us in attempt to shoot down a San Mateo voter Measure Y. People of San Mateo need to realize the current occupants of city hall do not like us and want to force high density housing down our throats whether we like it or not. We are much easier to control when we are packed together in population zones of their choosing.

Mr. Daane,

Since my name was mentioned I feel compelled to respond. I have been present at several of these exercises where the public was invited to participate in the planning process. Yes I do recall that in this case there were Legos but nobody was required to place any Legos anywhere on the map. At the end of the exercise each table reported out on the different positions that were taken in arriving at the map that was developed on the table. I believe that anybody who wished to make a comment was allowed a moment to do so during that process. I don’t specifically recall Mr. Daane speaking to me but what I do know is that council members were told that we would be observing only. This was an opportunity for us to see and hear the thoughts and feelings of the public who attended. Quite often when council members speak before or during this kind of session with members of the public it may have influence on the outcome of the process. We were working to avoid any undue influence on the public process.

I am prepared to hear criticism of my statements, based on my best recollection of these events. I only asked that we keep it civil and respectful.

Rick Bonilla