Posted by keep it fair, a resident of another community, on Oct 26, 2012 at 12:24 pm
let's be fair and reasonable.
I live in a much larger city then Atherton and have recently received numerous robo-calls from my surroundings services, such as the Fire and Police Association in support of their selected candidates. The phone messages I have received are no different then the written phone message on the APOA PAC website that I just read. Mr. Ruggeiro stated, "there is no place for this in Atherton". No place for freedom of speech and politics? I disagree, as every town has it's politics. I agree with John that Atherton's past city council has poorly managed the hiring of some past chiefs. This tells me, the APOA needed to speak up and endorse candidates, as the new council may be selecting the next Chief, AND is responsible for all town decision making. Mr. Ruggerio's letter reads self-serving, as he may be in support of a candidate, or outsourcing the PD. As an experienced veteran officer his statement, "Some voters are afraid to place signs for other candidates in fear of retaliation by the police", is unlikely that he really supports this own statement, as he should know first-hand, this is a chargeable offense against the police if it was true. John should also be experienced to know police are trained to be fair and impartial and they are held to a higher standard. So let's be reasonable and impartial, the past council MUST have been horrible for APOA to take a risk in speaking out. The only retaliation going on is directly from letters like this, and from city council McKeithen's last article, attacking the APOA. Really, when was the last robo-call in Atherton? Maybe that's all the excitement!
A successful city council is capable of staying on budget by still providing the best services, effectively communicating with the residents, supporting measures in the best interest of the town, including parks, trains, libraries and letting residents vote on it.
Most importantly maintaining good working relationships within their own city offices. As this will affect the community too. It's important to listen to the actual town employees who work along side the council as they are your voices too.
posted by professional business women, and I don't list my name because of fear of retaliation by some stranger that posts on here, NOT from the police.
Posted by On Point, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Keep it Fair,
Your letter explains the situation in Atherton.
"The only retaliation going on is directly from letters like this, and from city council McKeithen's last article, attacking the APOA." and "I don't list my name because of fear of retaliation by some stranger that posts on here, NOT from the police."
Posted by Menlo Voter, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Keep it Fair:
clearly you haven't paid much attention to what has gone on in Atherton. Corrupt cops anyone? It wasn't until recently that the town hired a new chief that they were able to rid themselves of one bad cop. There's at least one more to go. Citizens in Atherton have repeatedly expressed fear of the officers in their own department. Officers falsley arrested a citizen and he was able to obtain a finding of factual innocense. That's a finding that is all but impossible to obtain. The chief at the time then tried to (ineptly) white wash the whole thing. The current chief fired the officer. All right, the officer actually "retired" but we all know what happened. It was retire or get fired.
The APOA would probably have less push back on their excercise of their free speach if some of their bretheren hadn't missbehaved in the past.
Posted by Q.E.D., a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2012 at 6:22 pm
For "keep it fair": Your comment," "I don't list my name because of fear of retaliation by some stranger that posts on here, NOT from the police." and then Menlo Voter's rant regarding corrupt cops etc. only
illustrates quod erat demonstrandum.
Your post was one of the best I have seen on politics in Atherton.
Posted by Menlo Voter, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2012 at 7:12 pm
QED:
pull your head out if you don't think you've had corrupt cops working for you or that you still do. As a resident of Atherton you have much to fear from those that are sworn to protect you. Personally, I don't like driving through Atherton given what I've seen some of your officers are capable of. As ex-law enforcement I know what someone in that position of trust can do if they are willing to violate that trust. Be afraid QED, be afraid.
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