San Mateo makes new commission appointments: New members of Planning Commission and others generate community interest 

It seems important to call out that of the 57 letters received in support of Patel, those claiming Patel’s “analytical rigor and deep subject matter expertise” was actually a form letter. For the 35 letters against Patel’s reappointment, none were form letters but were detailed in how Patel is one-sided, called residents names, and can’t play nice in the sandbox (note that I was one of these letter writers). Content of the letters matter over numbers received. I commend the Council for following the Code of Conduct and not reappointing Patel. I look forward to seeing Commissioner Horsman bring a fresh perspective and civility to the Planning Commission.

I think this article missed the larger story here - City Councilperson Rob Newsom voted against renewing a commissioner who was running against him in his current bid for reelection. Many have criticized Mr. Newsom for not recusing himself in the vote. Councilmembers regularly recuse themselves from votes when they may personally benefit from the outcome. E.g., Mr. Newsom would need to recuse himself from discussion on street work on the street on which he resides.

Should Councilmembers be able to block reappointment of City Commissioners when they are in an election battle against the Commissioner?

https://sanmateoforward.org/blog/rob-newsom-voted-to-remove-his-own-election-opponent-from-the-planning-commission/?link_id=1&can_id=e32a58f2eec2ef61ae918e8a5ed98d18&source=email-the-vote-went-the-wrong-way-heres-whats-next&email_referrer=email_3261111&email_subject=the-vote-went-the-wrong-way-heres-whats-next&&

Until 2026 the prior two years had no significant project, most meetings were cancelled. If anything Seema Patel and Adam Nugent delayed the approvals of general plan and housing element costing the City a lot of extra money continuing to pay consultants on those plans. These delays caused uncertainty for developers which end up doing nothing until they are comfortable again. We are where we are the best path forward is to create certainty.

Seema-Fan-JoeBob ignores a critical fact that the City Attorney did NOT find a conflict of interest requiring Councilmember Newsom's recusal.

More importantly, Patel likely scheduled her candidacy announcement before the Planning Commission reappointment process in the hope of manufacturing a controversy to fuel her followers. We’ve seen this Amo Lee playbook before.

If simply becoming a candidate against an elected official were enough to force a recusal, any commissioner, board member, or appointee could manufacture a conflict by declaring a campaign and then claiming immunity from decisions involving their own appointment.

That would be an absurd precedent.

The comparison to a councilmember voting on improvements directly affecting their own property is also misplaced. Financial conflicts and personal economic interests are fundamentally different from political disagreements or election contests.

The Planning Commission appointment process involved multiple applicants, public interviews, and independent votes by four councilmembers. The outcome was not a one-person decision. 3 of 4 councilmembers voted to appoint a better candidate.

I am sure Patel does not want to be labelled as having sour grapes or as someone who enlists her friends and allies to do her bidding. She has remained silent.

Close personal and political relationships exist in our local politics.

Yet no one is suggesting that Every friendship, alliance, endorsement, or prior campaign involvement automatically requires recusal.

The standard should be applied consistently.

Consider Adam Loraine who endorsed Patel – AND where Adam owes a huge debt to the Patel-Amo Lee duo for getting him elected to council.

Yet Joe-Bob isn’t arguing that this “thick-as-thieves” relationship required Loraine’s recusal.

If relationships are to be scrutinized, they should be scrutinized consistently.

Disagreeing with that outcome is fair.

Pretending it was improper is not.

Relevant question, respectfully. Is it Joe-Bob or Joe-Bot? I tried searching for JoeBob in San Mateo and it came back "no such person".

Kudos to the majority of the City Council for making the right choice to fill the Planning Commission seat. Especially under immense pressure of special interests to do otherwise.

This story left out the most critical point. Yes, Commissioner Seema Patel was extreme in her growth mindset - but it was due to her consistently poor treatment of the public for 4 years that generated 35 passionate resident letters against keeping her on.

The majority of the Council, including former Mayor Rob Newsom, understood the most important thing: Council serves US. They work for US. This must be kept top of mind when making commission appointments, especially Planning Commission, which makes regular recommendations to the council for decisions which will impact all of us. So, BRAVO - because Patel seems to have forgotten that very early in her advisory capacity. We need people who remember it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.