Taking the High Road | The Observer | Roz Rogoff | DanvilleSanRamon.com |

Local Blogs

The Observer

By Roz Rogoff

About this blog: In January 2002 I started writing my own online "newspaper" titled "The San Ramon Observer." I reported on City Council meetings and other happenings in San Ramon. I tried to be objective in my coverage of meetings and events, and...  (More)

View all posts from Roz Rogoff

Taking the High Road

Uploaded: Oct 27, 2009
I'm surprised by the level of civility in the San Ramon City Council election this year. The last time Hudson and Livingstone ran for City Council they trounced their opponent with negative flyers and a mass mailing from the Citizens for San Ramon implying that Ellen Rosenbluth would be a clone of the unlamented "Gang of Three." The letter was signed by two former Mayors and was full of guilt by association, because Ellen's campaign manager had also worked on Jerry Cambra's campaign.

I expected Hudson and Livingstone to come out swinging against their two opponents, but instead they have taken the high road. Their fliers list the many accomplishments of the City Council over the last four years with nary a mention of their opponents at all. That seems to be a very good tactic this time. The Council has accomplished many good things and by ignoring the opponents, Hudson and Livingstone are implying that they are not even worth consideration.

The challengers are also stressing what they can bring to the Council and not throwing much mud at the incumbents. Burr has been critical of the Council's handling of the speed limits in Dougherty Valley and keeping the budget breakdown too much under wraps. Brady has been critical of the City Center plans and the need to support green building in the community, but these are issue-oriented and not personal attacks.

OMG what has happened to politics in San Ramon when everyone is being so nice!

Local Journalism.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by SJO, a resident of San Ramon,
on Oct 30, 2009 at 2:24 pm

Cheers to political civility.

Surprisingly the SRV Times today put out an editorial supporting Messrs Brady and Burr for city council. They cited the council's paternalistic style. Many of us agree. More transparency and energy put toward receiving and then actually incorporating input from citizens is needed. Lack of public visibility into the City Center financials are an excellent example of this. Are there any numbers?? How could the project be approved without this??

With a few days left I'm hoping one of the incumbants gracefully bows out of the race. The current council has had a successful run, but time for some new thinking (or at least 20% new).


Posted by Roz Rogoff, the San Ramon Observer,
on Oct 30, 2009 at 4:14 pm

Roz Rogoff is a registered user.

SJO,

Thanks for letting me know about the SRV Times endorsement. I left them a piece of my mind about it. I don't think the editors of the Bay Area Newsgroup are qualified to endorse anyone in San Ramon.

Since the news chain was taken over by the Media News Group, staff has been slashed and local papers discontinued. In fact there is no San Ramon Valley Times anymore. Only the Contra Costa Times, the Valley Times and the Tri-Valley Herald are left -- all clones of one another.

Be glad we have the San Ramon Express to fill that vacuum. Thank you for your participation in these discussions. It is very valuable and appreciated.

Roz


Posted by Longtime Resident, a resident of San Ramon,
on Oct 30, 2009 at 10:08 pm

The Times/Herald are pitiful. It truly is a shame what's become of them. Remember when they used to print local stories and have local reporters who knew the locals?

The Times is no more qualified to comment, much less endorse a candidate for the council than I am to endorse a candidate for an election in Central Africa. Thank you Roz for sending them your thoughts.


Follow this blogger.
Sign up to be notified of new posts by this blogger.

Email:

SUBMIT

Post a comment

Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed.

Stay informed.

Get the day's top headlines from DanvilleSanRamon.com sent to your inbox in the Express newsletter.

California must do a better job spending cap-and-trade revenue
By Sherry Listgarten | 2 comments | 2,245 views

Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance grew from chance meeting
By Tim Hunt | 0 comments | 1,761 views

Making wine for 140 years merits celebration
By Deborah Grossman | 0 comments | 490 views