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Election Preview
City Council 2001
Posted Tuesday, October 23, 2001
Running between the lines
City Council campaign characterized more by what
candidates aren't saying, rather than the issues
by Geoff S. Fein
On the surface, the campaign for City Council seems
tranquil enough. Yet underneath the polite smiles and niceties,
whispered allegations of council discord, an effort to oust the
three incumbents, and a particular council member's attempt to influence
the election reveal deep divisions among elements of the community.
Complicating matters, none of the leading candidates -- who share
similar views on many of the problems facing Palo Alto, such as affordable
housing -- have managed to publicly distinguish themselves on substantive
issues.
In the absence of a polarizing issue, such as the historic preservation
ordinance, many have focused on whether or not Hillary Freeman is
her own candidate. Although no one on the council and few in the
public will comment openly, many have wondered if Freeman, a 44-year-old
business manager, is merely a rubber stamp for Councilwoman Nancy
Lytle, who has taken an active role in the candidate's campaign.
The question is enough of a concern to force Freeman to address
the issue as she sought out endorsements.
When Freeman met on separate occasions with former mayors Larry
Klein and Jean McCown, both asked if she is under Lytle's influence.
"I hear that several people raised that," Klein said. "I'm sure
Hillary has heard it."
Freeman confirmed she has been asked if she is going to be another
Lytle.
"I'm not a clone of anybody," she said. "People know that when
they talk to me. I decided to run on my own volition."
Freeman added that if people talk to her they'll find out how
worthy the rumors are. "I haven't considered it a big because it's
not true," she said. "The focus is to present myself, my character,
and how I approach the issues."
The reasons why many are questioning Freeman's campaign could
be a result of perceived actions by Lytle. Some have said Lytle
is causing friction on the City Council and that her tactics in
the community -- which involve organizing community groups on hot
button issues like libraries and Fry's Electronics -- are a source
of frustration. Klein, who has talked with a number of council and
school board members, said he has heard such concerns.
All believe that Nancy is a divisive figure, he said.
All the same, Klein still gave Freeman his endorsement. He is
convinced the candidate is her own person. "Hillary comes across
as a strong personality," he said.
Klein added he is dismayed at the tenor of this year's campaign.
Although it is common for candidates to spar over philosophical
differences on the issues, what's happening in this year's campaign
is different.
"It seems to me this is more personal than issue driven," Klein
said. "It's quite unfortunate."
McCown declined to comment for the article. She said her discussion
with Freeman was between herself and the candidate.
For her part, Lytle has made no bones about her support of Freeman.
Yet she is quick to point out that although the two share some values,
they do not agree on every issue.
"We have no more in common than other colleagues," Lytle said.
"We probably have less in common than we have in common."
Freeman and Lytle became friends after meeting at their children's
soccer games. Freeman eventually worked on Lytle's council campaign.
Now Lytle is returning the favor.
Lytle, who has not violated any council rules regarding political
support, also said that other council members are working for candidates,
although few have made their work as visible.
For example, Judy Kleinberg has endorsed Jack Morton, Chris Kelly
and Mark Sabin; Bern Beecham has endorsed Jack Morton and Dena Mossar
has endorsed Pria Graves and Jack Morton. Lytle has also endorsed
Yoriko Kishimoto.
It appears to be Lytle's zealousness for Freeman, however, that
has caught the community's attention. Lytle has accompanied Freeman
to at least half of the candidates' forums and has spoken to voters
about the campaign.
Heightening perceptions of ties to Lytle, Freeman is part of Libraries
Now!, a group that has the councilwoman's support in their effort
to fund the city's library master plan. Several people associated
with that group are also working one Freeman's campaign. Karen Kang,
one of the co-founders of Libraries Now!, is the candidate's campaign
manager.
However, allegations that Freeman's campaign is stacked with members
of Libraries Now! or SOSCA are unfounded. There are nine members
of SOSCA and nine from Libraries Now! listed as supporters of Freeman.
Kang and Karen White are the only two names listed as Freeman supporters
who served on both SOSCA and Libraries Now!.
"(Karen) Kang is the common element of both groups," Lytle said.
Twenty-three residents listed as Freeman's supporters are also
supporters of Barb Mitchell, who is running for the Palo Alto Unified
School District School Board. Mitchell has called Lytle a mentor.
But Freeman isn't the only candidate fending off controversy.
The three incumbents seeking reelection -- Mayor Sandy Eakins and
Councilmen Jim Burch and Vic Ojakian -- have been the target of
a campaign to oust them from the council.
Much of this controversy centered around a letter from the Palo
Altans for Fiscal Integrity seeking donations. The letter states
that Burch, Eakins and Ojakian have "deplorable voting records"
and have "voted against homeowners on the historical ordinance,
storm drains, grants to the federal government, $44 million lost
on a high stakes electrical futures contract, flood control and
have not lifted a finger, over 18 months, to pass a voluntary historical
ordinance despite the vote in March 2000."
The group endorsed Freeman, Kelly, Morton and Sabin. It also invited
residents to attend a coffee at the home of Dick and Nancy Alexander
to meet the four candidates.
Dick Alexander's name does not appear on the letter and he has
stated he did not sign his name to it. However, the address for
sending donations is the Alexanders' home.
Dick Alexander is not secretive about his disdain toward the council.
He is an outspoken critic of the city government who was expected
to throw his hat into the ring. He was at one time considered part
of a slate of candidates supported by Lytle, a rumor the councilwoman
strongly denied.
When the invitation and endorsement from the Palo Altans for Fiscal
Integrity was mailed out, Freeman and Kelly both quickly stepped
away from what they called negative campaigning. However Freeman,
Kelly, Morton and Sabin all attended the coffee.
"I do not endorse and will not condone negative personal attacks
in this race," Kelly wrote in an e-mail sent to supporters.
A Freeman e-mail carried the same message.
Burch, however, said an endorsement means you agree with the stand
of the organization giving the endorsement. He added that Freeman
and Kelly had both distanced themselves from the Palo Altans for
Fiscal Integrity's remarks.
"I didn't like tying in those four candidates into this," Burch
said.
He added the letter distorted the actions of the council. Burch
blamed the group's stand on an old grudge. "I think they are still
burning (over the) historical (preservation) ordinance," Burch said.
Alexander said he invited people who called him and wanted to
talk about the issues. He doesn't see a problem with holding up
incumbents' records for public scrutiny.
"This is the way to send a message to City Hall," he said. "It's
time to thank and excuse these three incumbents. The three incumbents
are lap dogs, the public wants watch dogs."
Alexander believes the culture that leads candidates to be nice
to each other and avoid political discourse is caused by the insecurity
of small minds unable to engage in robust discussion, he said.
Palo Altans avoid robust debate out of fear of offending someone
they might run into, he added.
"Why can't we have a fair, open and honest debate? "he asked.
E-mail Geoff S. Fein at gfein@paweekly.com
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