Roz,
I agree that Von Thury was not a good choice, but I believe that you are incorrect when you say that Von Thury was mainly running on a single issue, the opposition to the Norris HOV Ramps. Von Thury's message was one of "no growth". He was vehemently against the City Center development and the Faria Project. So, to say that Norris HOV Ramps was his main issue, is a mis-statement. I did not endorse him or vote for him, and would concur that his views were way out on the fringe. The most interesting tidbit of the Council election is the fact that Hudson was on the ropes and almost lost to a virtual newcomer. Additionally, Hudson had zero support from his fellow council-members; with the exception of outgoing member Livingstone. Livingstone let his feelings be made clear at his retirement council meeting in his parting comments. He lambasted fellow council-members for not supporting Hudson, and he went on to instruct council not to listen to citizens - and make the tough decisions on your own. The fact that Hudson was only re-elected by 240 votes and ~1.5% margin of victory over political novice, Matsumoto, is the real story of the election. I can see how Hudson's campaign manager was "...grasping for straws..." and that the "...campaign morale was pretty depressed...". The "small group" of citizens that Livingstone referred to is not so small after all.

William,

Good comments. I'll try to reply to each of them. You are correct that von Thury wasn't entirely a single-issue candidate, but that's how he started. He expanded his campaign to include opposition to the City Center, Faria, and other developments, and seemed to be the candidate of "NO." He was an example of an uninformed, heretofore politically uninvolved resident who primarily chose to run against trends he didn't like.

He is, however, involving himself more in city business. He attended the last Planning Commission meeting on the Faria property. He didn't speak but appeared relaxed and interested in learning more about the process. I hope he continues to be more involved in these issues and maybe in three years he could be a viable candidate.

Hudson won because of von Thury. Von Thury took away enough votes from Rene so that she lost. I predicted that weeks before the election. It seemed obvious to me that those residents of Twin Creeks who opposed the HOV Ramps would vote for candidates who guaranteed their opposition to them -- von Thury and Sachs. Rene was again truthful in admitting she needed to study the issue.

When you have voters who just want what they don't want to be stopped, they vote for the candidates they believe will stop it. So von Thury's voters brought about the very thing they least wanted, which was helping Dave Hudson get reelected.

You also bring up a good question about the other Councilmembers not supporting Dave. Dave's wife Barbara asked me to find out why, and I was planning to write this blog with those answers. I spoke to Mayor Clarkson on the phone a week ago and met with Phil O'Loane at Peets last Thursday.

I phoned Councilmember Perkins Sunday afternoon and he was watching the 49ers game. He said he would call me back but he hasn't yet; so that's why I haven't written that blog yet.

I also want to speak to Bill Meine to find out why he decided to run against Bill Clarkson as a write-in for Mayor a week before the election. As an old drama student (and occasional drama queen) I always look for motivation.

Roz

I seem to recall that Meine was not happy with the plans for the new City Center to be built on Parks land and that the library was not a bigger project. Meine even admitted he was doing it to make a statement only - and realized he had no chance of being taken seriously. As for getting answers from the rest of the group on their lack of support for Hudson, it would be interesting to hear their real answers, but given that they have to sit on the same dais - and will be working together for several more years, I doubt that you will get a real serious answer to that question, but who knows - - you may be able to pull some interesting replies out of them. Their silence sort of tells me a lot already. Looking forward to hearing more.....

William,

Thanks for the info on Bill Meine. I probably read that in the article on Meine's announcement and forgot. I'm very forgetful lately.

As far as Hudson is concerned, I did get answers from Phil and Bill about slow growth and differences in policy. "But It's nothing personal. Dave and I get along just fine." Still there's more to this behind the curtain (go Toto, go).

Roz