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City Council narrows down pool of applicants for vacant seat to five finalists

Original post made on Jan 25, 2023

The Mountain View City Council narrowed its pool of applicants for the vacant council seat down to five finalists at a Jan. 24 meeting. Those five will get to move on to the interview round, slated for next Monday.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 12:48 PM

Comments (9)

Posted by Steven Goldstein
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Jan 25, 2023 at 1:14 pm

Steven Goldstein is a registered user.

Just an Observation,

I am not unhappy. I understand my role being outside the City Council gives me more power than within it.

They could actually demand me from not making bad information public, like the problems with City Inspections.

That was a DIRECT threat to the City, so I have no argument that they could not have me on board.

But the idea of appointing other past City Council members, 3 of the candidates, indicates major corruption in the process. Especially where it comes down to Mike Kasperzak.

I would vote for Emily is it was put to a vote, even when we have had disagreements.


Posted by Leslie Bain
a resident of Cuesta Park
on Jan 25, 2023 at 2:15 pm

Leslie Bain is a registered user.

"But the idea of appointing other past City Council members, 3 of the candidates, indicates major corruption in the process. Especially where it comes down to Mike Kasperzak."

This whole exercise is a great example of how the status quo comes up with "reasons" to maintain the status quo.

Some might argue that because these persons were elected in the past, it means that they represent the "will of the people". But that argument falls flat when one points out that just because they had popular support back when doesn't mean that they have it now. If they DO have popular support now, then whey aren't they already seated on the City Council?

What a surprise that Li Zhang didn't make it to the next round. Not. She was a great CANDIDATE for persons like me, who have lost faith in the City Council to do what is best for the RESIDENTS of Mountain View.

Emily seems to want what is best for RESIDENTS too. I haven't seen her called a "residentialist" yet though, not sure why ...


Posted by Steven Goldstein
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Jan 25, 2023 at 3:36 pm

Steven Goldstein is a registered user.

Just an Observation,

By the way All the previous City Council members were involved with the violation of the City Charter CSFRA delayed rent roll backs. The delayed it for 5 months.

Remember Web Link

So this is good enough proof that they CANNOT comply with the City Charter. Thus this should disqualify them regarding any city appointment or election in the future.


Posted by Steven Nelson
a resident of Cuesta Park
on Jan 25, 2023 at 4:01 pm

Steven Nelson is a registered user.

I do not at all see any conspiracy for "corruption". Sorry Mr. Goldman / your hat is now "out of the ring" it seems.

Now, for the 'theory' that local political offices are, shall I say, lock-proof for incumbent office holders? Showalter and good-old-Lenny are reasonably good recent counter-examples I would say. So - my opinion is - ... guess. Pat's vote shows that she is open for untried-new blood also.

I in the past have substantially supported ($,$$$; $$$; or dollars and shoe leather) Showalter, Hicks (incumbents), Kasperzak; McAlister.

I think any of the 5 could work well with the current Council members / several have done so before (AFTER election by the voters in at-large council races). One has less experience / Ramos. But she was appointed by the Council to an important - very substantial - and very 'Hot topic' city board/commission.

Thank you Council.

Thank you Voice reporter Martin - less than a year / on this beat / and yet I'd say 'you get it' (it helps also having Embarcadero Media vets who have covered MV for decades)


Posted by Steven Nelson
a resident of Cuesta Park
on Jan 25, 2023 at 4:06 pm

Steven Nelson is a registered user.

the vote stats: (If I get it right?)
6, 6, 6, 6, 5 / 1, 1, / 0, 0 ,0

Peace and Love and good statistics / numerical thinking


Posted by DavidWatson
a resident of Rex Manor
on Jan 25, 2023 at 9:44 pm

DavidWatson is a registered user.

Thank you so much for posting the vote tallies!


Posted by Free Speech
a resident of Martens-Carmelita
on Jan 26, 2023 at 10:53 am

Free Speech is a registered user.

Also disappointed that Li Zhang didn't make the final cut - especially since I voted for her in the last election. I believe a fresh face is a good idea and not the same old candidates that just can't let go - either serving on the council or on commissions. Mike Kasperzak? Hasn't he already served two terms? More than enough.


Posted by Steven Goldstein
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Jan 26, 2023 at 1:23 pm

Steven Goldstein is a registered user.

Just an Observation,

THe City Council is going to have to address the fact they have allowed illegal apartments for rent in the city.

David Avny when he bought 184 Centre Street KNEW in 2015 that the apartment was in non conformance of the zone it resides.

This record was found from the cases 16CV291570 Issachar Ohana et al vs Alain Pinel Realtors, INC et al. And 2015-1-CV-288597 I Ohana vs E. Kalvig

"10. One of the material facts about the Property that should have been disclosed to plaintiffs, but which was not disclosed to plaintiffs (either by the sellers or by Alain Pinel), is that the 11 unit apartment building is a nonconforming use under the zoning laws of the City of Mountain View. Under that zoning law, if fifty percent (50%) or more of the apartment building is substantially destroyed or removed, then the owner of the Property will not be able to reconstruct an 11 unit apartment building. Instead, the owner would be allowed to build only two residences on the Property, having a commercial value substantially less than an 11 unit apartment building."

Also:

“30. Alain Pinel's (and its agents) wrongful conduct, as above described, included without limitation:
A. Selling the Property without disclosing the non-conforming use and without providing plaintiffs with any reasonable opportunity to discover that non-conforming use;"

Also:

On October 29, 2015 Plaintiffs learned that the 11 unit apartment building on the Real Property is a non-conforming use under the City of Mountain View zoning laws, with the result that if fifty percent or more of the apartment building is destroyed, the apartment building cannot be rebuilt; instead, only two residential units would be allowed to be built, which would be a significant decrease in the value of the Real Property."

This was prepared by David Avny’s attorney
SHEA & MCINTYRE, A P.C.
2166 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
[408] 298-6611 Telephone
[408] 275-0814 Facsimile


Posted by SRB
a resident of St. Francis Acres
on Jan 27, 2023 at 5:14 pm

SRB is a registered user.

@mountain view voice. The agenda for next week's meeting shows council will interview only 4 candidates, did Mike K. drop out or was he disqualified at the eleventh hour?


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