By Robert Haugh
Santa Clara Police Chief Pat Nikolai spoke forcefully, defending himself and his family against accusations made by Vice Mayor Kevin Park at the June 6th City Council meeting.
Park claimed that Nikolai and his family may have misappropriated funds or used their influence for special treatment when they helped run the Santa Clara Sisters Cities Association.
During last night’s Santa Clara City Council meeting, Nikolai said directly to Park that he accepts the criticism that comes with being an elected Police Chief.
“(You can) attack my job skills and experience,” said Nikolai, “but you do not get to smear my family and imply my wife did something illegal.”
“I feel an apology is warranted,” Nikolai said to Park.
Tedra Nikolai spoke next. She paused at times to hold back tears.
“Kevin Park lied and needs to be held accountable,” she said. “This is a personal vendetta that Kevin is airing on the public’s time.”
Tedra Nikolai said when Park was on the Sister Cities Commission he was asked to leave a meeting because he was insulting and making other Commissioners uncomfortable.
”Kevin Park, you’re a dishonorable man,” concluded Tedra Nikolai.
Current Sister Cities President Margaret Horoszko vouched for the service that the Nikolai family has given to Sister Cities over the years.
Horoszko says the organizations is a group of committed volunteers who devote many hours to making the Commission work.
She also disputed Park’s accusations.
Horoszko said that the Commission has always had systems in place involving multiple people to insure financial accountability and fairness in decision making.
Park did not respond to the comments about him. Instead, Park responded to other public comments about the Swim Center. No kidding.
This is not the first time that Park has been put on the spot for inappropriate comments.
In February 2022, Park was forced to apologize for comparing former City Manager Deanna Santana to a “dog.”
Park read an apology at a City Council meeting when he was being threatened with censure.
Park also promised to post the apology on the City’s website or his own personal website. But he did not do so in the weeks after the meeting.
It’s now 477 days since Park made that commitment.
But no apology has been posted to the City’s website and Park’s personal website KevinPark.org no longer exists.
Kevin Park cares more about his personal political vendettas than he does about Santa Clara’s public safety. .
THAT is what the Grand Jury Report proves. His words are FAKE. He’s never cared about Santa Clara — he’s only in it for his payback to Jed York.
[…] Tuesday night, the clash between Police Chief Pat Nikolai and Councilmember Kevin Park was the main […]
https://parkmustquit.blogspot.com/?m=1
Mr. Park is an embarrassment. The way he chooses to dress for council meetings shows a lack of respect for the office, and the people of Santa Clara. Mr. Park make sure you don’t wear any clothing with logos and get rid of the mask.
Chief Nikolai and his wife were outstanding last night. Interesting that Park only talked about the swim center after being called out for his lies. He does not have the guts to say anything about the Chief when he is at the meeting. Also, if Park actually read the facility condition report he’d know what was going on with the swim center. It’s a band aid approach right now just to keep it going. It’s not going to be totally remodeled. Of course I’m guessing he does not know who the head of parks & rec is either. After all, he didn’t know who Burt Fields was and voted him out.
I also don’t understand why they even bother to read the ethics statement before the council meeting. There are only 2 people that abide by it.
Dana Caldwell
Vice Chair
Parks & Rec Commission
What happen to the Ethics standards that Santa Clara adopted? Doesn’t anyone read them?
Are they posted anywhere in the Council Chambers? The Santa Clara School District takes a stand on students aggressive and insensitive behaviors..why don’t city officials ask their kids
to share what it means to show RESPECT!!
Gotta love the pic of Park! Reminds me of Al Franken’s pic pretending to grab a woman’s chest. Franken was forced to resign. What Park has done to women, the City commissioners and public speakers is worse and, frankly, he needs to be forced to resign!
https://chng.it/CNxyKhhtD9
Now has photo. Sign please to call for resignation
Does Kevin Park understand that the seat he sits in is to do the work of the people? It’s not a bully pulpit to get revenge against people?
Facts matter. Thank you, Chief Nikolai, for calling Kevin Park out last night. The Mayor righty referred to Park as cowardly in his actions of attacking the Chief when he wasn’t present to defend himself. Park did it again last night. Thank you to Tedra Nikolai and Margaret Horoszko for standing up to the bully that Kevin Park is.
Thank you Burt Field for letting Kevin Park know who you are after voting you out as a commissioner when he said he didn’t know you.
Kevin Park is an embarrassment.
Kevin Park needs to go.
The 49er 5er whiners are ALL COWARDS. They have their own version of right and wrong and it’s not in the City charter or bylaws.
Suds Jain didn’t do the right thing and report Becker for leaking the grand jury report after Becker admitted to Jain he did it. COWARD!
Raj chahal is so busy kissing up to people to get votes for his run for Mayor that he abstains for no valid reason or gets excused from taking positions on controversial issues! COWARD!
Hardy is afraid of her own shadow. COWARD!
Becker has been indicted and is looking for a raise with taxpayer dollars? But he questions the Chief’s salary? COWARD!
Park likes to verbally attack women. Big man, huh, Park? COWARD!
News flash. COUNCIL MEETINGS NOW BEING REVIEWED BY COUNTY AGENCY, PARTICULARY COMMENTS AND ACTIONS TAKEN BY THREE MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY PARK.
People out there, finally someone that bring charges is reviewing the games three people well known to us play.
Not if, but when, Kevin.
Get a lawyer.
https://chng.it/CNxyKhhtD9
Resign Park