Editor,
As San Mateo faces complex and pressing challenges, from affordability and infrastructure to fiscal discipline and public trust, City Council candidates should be evaluated on readiness, independence and a demonstrated proven leadership.
Editor,
As San Mateo faces complex and pressing challenges, from affordability and infrastructure to fiscal discipline and public trust, City Council candidates should be evaluated on readiness, independence and a demonstrated proven leadership.
Seema Patel announcing she’s running for City Council raises alarming concerns. Her campaign appears closely aligned with former political figures associated with controversial and costly outcomes, including the “Envelope Gate” period. Those associations warrant scrutiny, particularly when they suggest a return to the dark politics that many believe the city must move beyond.
San Mateo cannot afford City Council members who are extremists, inexperienced, unqualified, have inequitable policy views, lack empathy for everyday resident needs, and have ties to the failed dark antics of the past. This city has too much at stake to place power back into the hands of political amateurs, extremists or recycled agendas from past failures.
By contrast, the candidate’s opponent, current Councilmember Rob Newsom, exemplifies the kind of leadership San Mateo needs right now and for the coming years. He is proven, experienced, balanced and independent. His record reflects a practical understanding of city operations, a willingness to engage thoughtfully with differing perspectives and consistent focus on residents rather than political agendas.
Let’s not go backward to dark politics driven by personal ambition, backroom dealings and political allegiance. This election must be about competence, integrity and results. San Mateo deserves leadership equal to the moment — leadership grounded in honesty, substance and accountability. San Mateo needs more public servants like Rob Newsom.
Taso Zografos
San Mateo
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(5) comments
Terrence Y - great questions to inspire deeper thinking, great ideas, and beneficial outcomes.
I must add that I truly enjoy your commentary to many of these LTE submissions. While i may not always align exactly in style and content, i do respect your points of view and take the time to read many of them.
Thank you for helping to enlighten more critical thinking - with honest sincerity.
Kindly - Taso
Thanks for your letter, Mr. Zografos. I’ll look at records of where candidates stand in regards to cooperation with ICE, where they stand on biological males competing against biological females, where they stand in regards to discriminatory bicycle lane diets, where they stand on law and order, and their efforts at fiscal management. Perhaps there’s a political website which offers a checklist on where candidates stand in San Mateo city and county, if not the Bay Area? If not, perhaps an enterprising website project for someone with time on their hands?
Glad you asked --- "what does this mean?"
Seema is closely aligned with backroom political operators responsible for past city failures—Recall Amo Lee, Rick Bonilla (whose tenure cost this city over $1 million), and Sacramento ideologues who don’t live here and don’t care about San Mateo’s neighborhoods.
City residents should absolutely demand the removal of Seema Patel from the Planning Commission.
Seema has been a disaster for San Mateo.
Let me answer your question in a different way.
If left stranded on an island (aka the 2000 movie "Cast Away" starring Tom Hanks) and left with only the choice between voting for Seema or "Wilson" the volleyball, -- WILSON for city council all the way.
"Her campaign seems closely aligned . . ." What does this mean? This seems like a lesson out of the Trump smear book.
I’m not in Rob’s district, but I will be one of hundreds making sure District 3 residents understand what Rob’s ethical leadership provides them. We will not go back to ‘the bad old days’ when personal attacks on residents, slimy dirty tricks, and dealing with decisions made that benefited activists over residents. Rob Newsom for District 3!
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