By Robert Haugh
A Weekly Summary from the Mission City’s Best News Source
MONDAY
Residents don’t trust the 49ers and are unhappy with traffic and other nuisances, especially in the Northside, nearest Levi’s Stadium. That’s what we learned from detailed city surveys of Santa Clara residents.
TUESDAY
The Santa Clara Chamber is boiling in hot water due to their mismanagement of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). City staff finds commingling of funds and self-dealing issues allegedly done by Chamber.
WEDNESDAY
Mismanagement and malfeasance leads to Santa Clara Chamber losing control of the CVB. New info is revealed including the Chamber giving free rentals for political events associated with Chamber directors. The City Council comes up with 60-day plan to maintain staffing while new management comes aboard.
THURSDAY
Several prominent members of the Santa Clara community — including a respected former councilwoman Keri Procunier McLain verbally lambast Councilwoman Patty Mahan and Councilman Pat Kolstad at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. They are accused of being disrespectful and dishonest when they refused to vote for a replacement for disgraced former Councilman Dominic Caserta. Some call for censure. Kolstad’s residency once again called into question.
Editor’s Note: We have been informed by multiple sources that Chamber director Lou Mariani has told several community members that Santa Clara Weekly Publisher/Lobbyist Miles Barber, also a Chamber director, is suffering from pneumonia and was in critical care earlier this week. We hope for a speedy recovery and send our thoughts and prayers.
I think they should both be censured . This is not the Pat Mahan that I knew . The insulting does not seem to bother them. People like that should not be representing Santa Clara.
Sorry to hear about Miles Barber. It was gracious of you to send him good thoughts and prayers. That shows some class on your part.
Miles has had a tough year or so. His publication barely circulates anymore. I’m actually happy about that because it’s less garbage for me to throw away. He lost a lawsuit to you. That had to be cost a pretty penny. Then, he gets officially warned by the city for his bad behavior at council meetings. That’s a first. Not even Steve Hazel or James Rowen have been officially warned. Then, the Chamber loses major contracts because of some Miles’ actions and words.
Nope, Miles has not had a good year. But let’s hope his health recovers.
They did what we want let the people vote
There was no reason to leave the seat open except for Mahan’s and Kolstad’s personal rancor and petty politics. Kolstad and Mahan most assuredly did NOT do what residents wanted or what they were supposed to. The City Charter says that someone can be appointed to a vacant seat (as has been done in the past more than once, including for Mahan’s father). Had the council appointed someone to fill Caserta’s seat for the remainder of his term, Santa Clara citizens would have the exact same opportunity to vote in November for a new council member that they have now. Mahan’s long-winded excuses about “letting the people speak” rang completely false and self-serving. Kolstad, even more insulting and cowardly beyond words, sat there mute giving the prospective candidates and the people attending the meeting no reason for his refusal to participate. Shame on the both of them for their dishonor, cowardice, disrespect and selfishness.