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Santa Clara City Council Presentation: Is it Ethical to Use False Endorsements and a Dead Police Chief to Win an Election?

By Robert Haugh

It was an uneventful Santa Clara City Council meeting with a lot of routine items.

But under public testimony, Santa Clara business leader Kirk Vartan submitted an interesting video presentation highlighting some of Santa Clara News Online’s (SCNO) reporting.

Vartan worked last year with ethicist Dr. Tom Shanks on The Public Trust Review, a show focused on ethics (or lack thereof) in Santa Clara.

Last week, SCNO reported that the Yes on Measure B campaign falsely used former Police Chief Frank Vasquez’s endorsement.  He opposes Measure B. 

Then, SCNO reported that City Councilmember Karen Hardy created a Facebook ad that used former Police Chief Donald “Manny” Ferguson to support the Yes campaign.  But Ferguson died 11 years ago.

Hardy also used in her ad another false endorsement of former Police Chief Charles Arolla. He requested she take down the ad by writing his objection online and directly to her at City Hall. After many days, Hardy finally removed the ad.

The Yes campaign removed Vasquez’s endorsement but is using the deceased Ferguson in his place on their website.

Vartan highlighted the Yes campaign’s false and deceptive advertising in his presentation.

Vartan poses the question about why Councilmembers Raj Chahal and Suds Jain have been silent.  And why Hardy has not apologized.

Vartan also pointed out that Hardy is a teacher who is employed at Wilcox High School.

No Councilmembers responded to Vartan’s presentation.

13 comments

  1. Robert,

    When you state that none of the councilpersons who Vartan discussed did not respond to his presentation you should also state that councilpersons are discouraged from debating matters brought up through open public comments like Vartan’s was.

    There are times that councilpersons have not refrained from this and when this has happened Mayor Gillmor has always pointed out that councilpersons should not make comment or counterarguments to open public comments.

    To my recollection I think that Hardy and Jain do not violate this protocol. It has usually been Becker and Park who cannot stop themselves from arguing with members of the public who comment with criticism of them.

    I do believe that Vartan was right in pointing out deceptive implication that past chiefs endorse a Yes vote. And I think that Hardy and Jain should acknowledge though not necessarily in response to an open public comment.

    Reply

    • A famous opponent of the SCPD spoke out a lot about the structure. Likely choice for Jain.

      This individual was better about his treatment by the police.

      TYRUS RAYMOND COBB

      angry about his arrest for Dui

      Reply

  2. Looking at Haugh’s four individual posts regarding police chief images and quotes, I think this blog has used Ferguson’s, Vasquez’s, and Arolla’s likeness more than anyone else and likely without permission. 😀

    The YES on Measure B side did nothing unethical or illegal. Historical comments and images that are in the public domain and intended for public consumption, are fair game. Need an elementary example that is easy for you guys to ponder? Think about every time people quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thomas Jefferson, or Jesus of Nazareth to promote sentiment.

    Vartan probably didn’t do this on his own, he was likely put up to it by Gillmor. Think about that, almost 50 years of consistent quotes by former police chiefs asking the City Council and voters to change how the City selects its police chief – that is powerful, especially adding on current law enforcement executives and community leaders who speak in favor of Santa Clara APPOINTING a Chief of Police.

    I’m going out on a limb and suggest that Gillmor, Watanabe, and/or Nikolai of scheming to try and reduce the voice of the YES on Measure B side. Don’t fall for their distraction, Vote YES on Measure B!

    Reply

    • Easy to say that when you’ve got your pension and a cozy job with Jed. Funny how Lodge and Sellers never complained about appointments until after pockets were lined with taxpayer money snd Jed’s consulting bonuses. Bunch of lying hypocrites. Take your bleeding heart and your propaganda machine somewhere else. Blah, blah, blah!

      From a retired cop and supporter of No on B!

      Reply

  3. I love when FACTS are revealed, the first thing people do is bring out the deflecting smoke screen: “he isn’t a resident”, ” the reporter is correct”, “your voice doesn’t count”‘ etc etc. This is the playbook of the guilty.

    Reply

  5. Kirk Vartan owns a business in Santa Clara. His views are very relevant. You may want to get up to speed Mr Richards

    Reply

    • I have been on opposite sides of Kirk for years. I salute him for his activism and fully support his right to speak out. I just dont agree with him very much, but I still applaud his activism

      Reply

    • Andrew

      I brought that Caserta incident out. Thanks.

      What is Mr. Vartan’s goal?

      To get an Ethics Commission edtablished.

      Heroic.

      If it is to get Tom Shanks back; I could be very supporttive.

      It is good.

      Ethics Commission

      *Regulates Consultants
      *Puts a check on ALL independent expenditures
      *Disciplines Commissioners and Council.

      Great.

      1995 proposed
      2010 proposed
      2016 proposed
      2021 proposed

      Lisa Gillmor backed it 4 times.

      Oh. 1946 Jack ONeill was chief.

      Made speeches supporting electing chief.
      Maybe Chief Nikolai should bacl using that Chief.

      Becker. INDICTED
      Park. 5 Fppc complaints
      Jain 69 secret meeings

      Reply

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