This I’ll advised reduction was entirely political in order to consolidate power in fewer hands. Those fewer hands over time are far more likely to represent moneyed interests over those of residents - just look at the history. This reduction was “justified” by saying it would reduce the length of meetings and other cities got by with fewer Council members, but what it actually does is reduce the robustness of democratic representation in our city. We now have fewer elected representatives, less opportunity for diverse views on Council, less representation on regional commmittees, etc.

Palo Altans who care about holistic civic responsibility in the face of overdevelopment pressures really ought to get together and recall anyone who engaged in "misleading the public" in their campaign disclosures re: development money, especially Kniss and Fein. That would give those trying to govern for all of Palo Alto a reprieve from the overrepresentation of the overbuilding crowd.

The FPPC isn't really much of a watchdog -- the fact that they were willing to say Fine misled the public is about as strong as it gets. Public: the ball is in your court. That should be grounds to recall him.

There has never been a residentialist majority (Burt never was one). We need it for balance.