Posted by Bill wants to "Sunset" the Parcel Tax, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Oct 8, 2012 at 11:26 am

In response to the endorsements by the Atherton Police Officers Association of Lewis and Wiest and thier comments that a council majority could vote to outsource to the sheriff, Mayor Widmer has cut his first fireside chat tape.

Early in the tape Mayor Widmer discusses others making False and Misleading statements. He states durng his 2 years on the council he has not discussed on Council agendas "Outsourcing the Police".

It was discussed on an Agenda in November 2010 after he was elected but before he took office in December. Of course he has talked about it to others just not placed it on an agenda for everyone to comment.

Around 4:15 into the tape in appears Mayor Widmer states that he wants to sunset the Parcel Tax. Audio is not the best. He also states some council members want to increase the Parcel Tax and he opposes tax increases.

It appears he says Public Safety Levels can be maintained without the Parcel Tax. Does Mayor Widmer does not state Atherton can keep its police force without the Parcel Tax, he says Public Service Levels can be maintained. Does he mean the Sheriff can maintain the "Level" of Public Safety?

Without the Parcel Tax the town can not afford to have its own Police Dept.--- unless some other tax is approved. What is the Mayor proposing?

The Mayor states that he would want a town vote on the issue of Outsourcing. If that is the case why didn't he put it on the ballot with the other three issues he wanted on the ballot or at least put it on an agenda for residents and the full council to discuss putting on the ballot?

Why didn't he express his opinions before the APOA letter went out?

Posted by around bill, a resident of the Atherton: West of Alameda neighborhood, on Oct 8, 2012 at 12:15 pm

I thought the Town Council was going to have the response to the APOA mailer at the next council meeting October 17th. Why is Bill doing this now? It sort of looks like he his endorsing Kupperman and Conlon and not

Lewis and Wiest who have the blessing of the AOPA. Why is he not waiting for the official reply prepared by the town attorney. Very puzzling.

I wonder if Bill's mother ever told him it was impolite to point at anyone. Apparently not and sort of offensive.

Posted by Way to go Bill, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Oct 8, 2012 at 12:35 pm

[Post removed.]

Posted by Bill wants to Sunset the Parcel Tax, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Oct 8, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Widmer was not elected "Mayor" by the residents of Atherton. He was elected to the city council and is still part of the council. He can not speak to other council members about an upcoming agenda without violating the Brown Act.

Does Widmer want to sunset the Parcel Tax? Is he trying to make sure he has the three council votes needed to do so? Do you know the answer to this "Way to go Bill"? How does Widmer plan to make up the $1.6M?

[Portion removed.]

Posted by Michael G. Stogner, a resident of another community, on Oct 8, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Michael G. Stogner is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

The key here is the Mayor of Atherton, California took the time to make a video and he is telling all the residents of Atherton that the police union is telling lies to Atherton.

Now the question is are they going to be rewarded for that behavior, it's up to the residents.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up to this Police Department.

Good Luck Atherton

Posted by mark, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Oct 8, 2012 at 9:13 pm
mark is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

I think there is a different "Key" here. I did not see the Mayor prove any lies by the police.

Rather what appears to have happened is:

The APOA sent out a letter that actions by members of the council could result in outsourcing the police services to the sheriff. The APOA endorsed the two candidates it thinks are best qualified for the council.

Those are not the two candidates the mayor wants elected so he made a video asking the public to vote for his choices.

The mayor stated he does not want to renew the parcel tax, which helps fund police services.

Since he has been Mayor he has not placed outsourcing on a council agenda.

The mayor claims he would want outsourcing on a ballot for a town vote, yet he did not place it on the upcoming ballot. Is there a reason why?

However it the parcel tax is not renewed, there probably is not enough to cut to keep the police.

Posted by Peter Carpenter, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Oct 8, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Peter Carpenter is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

Unless the council gets its act together and starts providing leadership any parcel tax vote will fail.

The citizens will not give a divided council more money to squander.

Posted by mark, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Oct 8, 2012 at 10:40 pm
mark is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

Peter & Michael,

What lies does the mayor claim the police told? Does he have any evidence to support his claims?

Right now the council appears divided on the main issues:

In favor of the Parcel Tax: Carlson and Lewis

Opposed to the Parcel Tax: Widmer, Dobbie (likely), McKeithen (likely)

In favor of changing Atherton to a Charter city and charging a real estate transfer fee: Widmer, Dobbie, McKeithen

In favor of a library in the park: Widmer, McKeithen, Dobbie,

Opposed to a Library in the Park: Lewis and Carlson

Posted by mark, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 10:06 am
mark is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

Looking over the Mayor's tape, it appears he makes some incorrect and misleading statements. He states at around 1:20 into the tape that there has been no discussion on outsourcing the police at the council level yet someone found this agenda item from two years ago:

The mayor states that several members on the council support having a town vote on the issue. Yet non one on the council has asked to put it on the current ballot, even though the mayor requested three other issues be on the ballot.

Posted by Skyfall, a resident of another community, on Oct 5, 2012 at 6:08 am

The meeting where the Council considered outsourcing occurred on 11-18-10 . It was a Special Meeting, announced to the public with short notice. It was held at 8AM on a Thursday morning.

Web Link

The minutes describe the meeting as, "JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL & FINANCE COMMITTEE". The attendees were: Kathy McKeithen, Jim Dobbie, Jerry Carlson, Elizabeth Lewis, Charles Marsala, Greg Conlon, Jeff Wise, Alain Enthovenb

The mayor also states that those who are endorsed by the police will not have the best interests of the town in mind. There is no proof to support this claim.

Police budgets have been cut over the last few years by not filling vacancies and reducing some expenditures.

Maybe the mayor can answer why the outsourcing issue is not on this year's ballot?

The Police letter states that who the residents elect to the council effcts keeping the police are not. That is true. If a candidate states he wants to keep the police, but only offer them 75% of current pay; will not support the parcel tax renewal; and then will support a town vote to outsource police services-- He/she does not realize that at that point it will be too late to have a town vote.

Faced with a budget short fall of $1.6M or more the council will have to make serious cutbacks on service.

Agenda Item 5.

PRESENTATION OF SERVICE DELIVERY OPTIONS BY JEFF MALTBIE (INTERIM CITY MANAGER) OF CITY OF SAN CARLOS

Received presentation by Jeff Maltbie on San Carlos financial condition and their process of outsourcing services.