Editor,
As former San Mateo mayors, we are saddened to see San Mateo’s culture of respect, tolerance, transparency and civility deteriorating. For decades, councilmembers practiced an “agree to disagree” philosophy that served our community well and made our citizens proud; however, that practice, as well as San Mateo’s culture, seems lost on Councilmember Amourence Lee.
“Dirty” politics have never been practiced in San Mateo until the recent antics of Councilmember Lee who has launched a shockingly vicious smear campaign against District 5 candidate Rod Linhares.
Despite appropriate answers to her constant questioning, Lee continues to attack Linhares with twisted truths, fabrications and unbecoming character assassination. Linhares is a highly respected, well-liked 30-year resident who is admired by colleagues, neighbors and friends and who was strongly encouraged to run for office by civic and community leaders throughout San Mateo. Instead of focusing on the real issues facing San Mateo residents every day, Lee has focused solely on a national issue over which the council has no real purview. Clearly a power play, Lee’s behavior is offensive and has no place in San Mateo. Her misinformation campaign has created unprecedented divisiveness, disrespect and anger in our community.
Please join us in encouraging Councilmember Lee to stop the devious tactics and behave in a civil manner becoming of a councilmember. If she doesn’t, our residents can look forward to many years of continued toxicity at City Hall and the complete erosion of our culture of respect and tolerance.
Maureen Freschet
Menlo Park
Claire Mack
San Mateo
The letter writers are former mayors of San Mateo.
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(5) comments
Hello, Maureen and Claire
Thanks for your LTE. Gosh... the Amourence Lee described in your letter does not sound like the same Amourence Lee many San Mateans were gushing over when she was appointed to the San Mateo City Council almost three years ago.
While her criticism of Rod Linhares seems limited to an issue that is largely out of the Council's purview, I'm left wondering if Amourence has any complaints about Rod's abilities and character as it relates to the duties and responsibilities of a City Council member? The issue at the heart of Amourence's opposition to Rod is vitally important... no doubt. However, perhaps there is a better forum for Amourence to express a viewpoint fortified by her experience at the Margaret Sanger Center when she was in grad school?
Didn't know about Lee's ties to the Margaret Sanger Center. Sanger pushed eugenics, which might explain Lee's anti-Catholic rants.
Hello, Will
Amourence's connection to the Margaret Sanger Center was mentioned in a Sue Lempert column a while ago. Let's be fair... while Amourence's position on abortion is well known, I'm guessing she would not agree with Margaret about eugenics.
I agree with the LTE writers... conflating abortion with the San Mateo City Council election... in the way it has been done... is not necessary.
The DJ likes Rod Linhares and Amourence favors Adam Loraine. We'll see who District 5 folks like on November 8.
Thank you Claire Mack (aka Mrs. Edwin Mack) and Maureen. Thank you both for your joint LTE - and the concerns you voice are shared by thousands within the city of San Mateo.[beam]
Thank you Claire and Maureen for keeping a watchful eye on the San Mateo City Council. Lee can have her favorite but attacking a good person is disappointing. We need elected officials to represent their district and serve the community. We do not need elected officials that want to be self-serving and pawns for outside interests. Vote Lisa in Dist 1, Rob in Dist 3, and Rod in Dist 5.
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