Featured - page 108

With ballots promised to arrive any day (we hope), silly season has taken on a fevered pitch. Climate has received the usual complaints about candidates and campaigns, and read many others in the online forums. Last night at Climate’s Forum, a disturbing story surfaced. During one of the forum’s questions on whether Redwood City embraces or resists diversity, candidate Jason Galisatus recounted how earlier that day, he discovered an anti-gay slur – “#gay” – tagged on his landlord’s fence.

A subsequent investigation by Redwood City police found the graffiti was not related to the campaign, as it pre-dated Galisatus’ tenancy in the complex. Regardless, the incident placed the issue of increasing ugliness in our political discourse front and center ahead of the November elections. The tone in this election cycle has reflected the tone of our national politics.  Sad, but true.

But there is a grain of hope in all this – the candidates themselves. To this point, in a hotly-contested election, the seven Redwood candidates for council have shown remarkably civil tones and collegiality – at least in public forums. There isn’t a Trump in the lot.

At Climate’s 2.5-hour forum, and the VOCA forum a few nights earlier, I learned a lot listening to them. They were all impressive and demonstrated poise and command of the issues.

This, sadly, has not rubbed off on all of their supporters.  If you watch the commentary online, it has become abhorrent.  Sexist attacks on female candidates running, independent expenditure committees playing on fear to dissuade support of certain candidates. Some good old fashion McCarthyesque redbaiting over policies on rent control. Class warfare on “techies” and their salaries. Allegations of candidates and elected officials being “bought off” because of donations or because they voted in a way that an individual disagreed with. Nativist rants demanding that welcome mats be removed for newcomers are frequent—and usually accompanied with ancestral claims to the real Redwood City in a manner akin to a proper Boston Brahmin tracing their roots to the Mayflower.  What is the equivalent of Redwood City’s Mayflower anyway?

As my mother would say, it’s all just foolish. 

Still there is hope. Amid the hateful attacks, the candidates showed the night of the Climate forum that they could battle it back with respect, poise and wit.   The outside noise seemed to clear, and the candidates talked about themselves and what they stood for. Mark Simon’s moderation of the event and the event format specifically allowed more time than usual forums for candidates to express themselves and talk directly to voters about Redwood City’s future. 

Before knowing the results of the police investigation, all candidates expressed remorse for what happened to Galisatus in their city. Candidate Gisele Hale, a relative newcomer on the stage, says she herself has experienced hostility during the campaign online. Her dire sin? Being born near Milwaukee, not here. She chose to come here, raise her family in this remarkable place and enjoy a booming economy—both qualities that did not exist where she came from. She said the community has become part of her family. A tightly knit neighborhood where everyone cares for one another and is a primary motivator for her desire to give back and work to make Redwood City a better place.

Council member and candidate Diane Howard recalled her own difficulties coming to Redwood City “so long ago.”  She came with little and knew no one. She built a life here and has been a remarkable community advocate and participant for so many years.

Candidate Rick Hunter made a heartfelt call for civility, not only in our actions but also in our decision-making as a City. He called for calm discussion about our differences of opinion, including everyone, and having conversations focused on making the best decision.

Candidate Diane Reddy talked about her participation in training sessions that dealt with, in part, white privilege, and how she came to terms with knowing that she both experienced it and had exhibited symptoms. She also claimed to be “colorblind” and from a diverse background.

Candidate Ernie Schmidt recalled his reluctance to enter the race early on, stating he “wasn’t sure he had the earmuffs for it.” The noise is difficult, and in order to focus he has left Facebook in order to knock on doors and have conversations with neighbors.

Candidate Christina Umhofer talked about how she is known to have the orphans’ Thanksgiving house, liberally inviting other candidates and audience members to come on by. She also offered to help repair Jason’s landlord’s fence (an offer that several members of the audience echoed).

My hope came in the reaction and the humanity on display by the dedicated people that were there to ask for your vote, as they have many nights before tonight. In that span of the debate, it seemed that all differences were put aside. Outside agitators, including the virtual pitchfork carrying mobs on Facebook, were drowned out in favor of constructive conversation.  At least that was what I took from it. A lot was said over the 2.5-hour forum.  Watch the (admittedly rather poor quality) Facebook Live of the event to see and judge for yourselves.

Regardless of who wins in November, I hope down the road whoever they are remembers this moment in the campaign and bring, as candidate Rick Hunter stated, civility to our decision making process.  I, for one, hope that isn’t too much to ask.

Climate also commits to play a role, as we endeavored to do at the Thursday night forum, to be a purveyor of fairness and facts and, through this message and our ongoing efforts, to promote civility and respect for an honest dialogue on the difficult challenges facing our City.

Redwood City Council Candidate Jason Galisatus arrived home to a disturbing site Thursday afternoon – the phrase “#gay” spray-painted across his landlord’s fence.

Galisatus, who is gay, brought up the discovery of the graffiti during a discussion about diversity at the Climate Forum for City Council candidates Thursday night. On Friday, Galisatus told Climate he plans to file a report with the Redwood City Police Department “to ensure that the incident is documented.”

A longtime community advocate, Galisatus, recently endorsed by the Bay Area Reporter, an LGBT news publication, believes the graffiti is connected to an increasingly vitriolic political climate.

While Galisatus was moved by statements of support from his fellow candidates when he shared the incident Thursday night at a City Council Candidate Forum, he said it brought his general unease about the divisive national dialogue into sharp focus.

“This was a direct and bigoted attack on who I am, at my home,” he said. “We need to acknowledge that intolerance exists in our community and what happened is an unfortunate reminder.”

In referring to the ensuing discussion at Thursday’s candidate forum around race, culture, representation and community, Galisatus said, “It’s important that we have these conversations in public forums and at home, and I commend my fellow candidates who acknowledged that we have work to do on these issues, even in Redwood City.”

When asked if the incident changed his outlook on his candidacy, Galisatus said, “It was unsettling, but I want to be clear – we will not be intimidated. It is our duty as City leaders to be outspoken and on the Council, I will work to ensure that all residents of Redwood City are treated with dignity and respect. Every one of our residents – every person, every generation and every neighborhood deserves a voice in City Hall.”

Redwood City firefighters were battling a structure fire on Hilltop Drive in San Carlos, near Alameda de las Pulgas this morning.

City officials warned community members “may have seen recent smoke in the sky” as a result of the fire at a single family residence at 69 Hilltop Dr.

The fire was reported at 8:19 a.m. and a second alarm was declared at 8:35 a.m., fire officials said.

No injuries to fire crews or civilians were reported as of 9:15 a.m.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area and use alternate routes if possible.

Photos: Redwood City Fire Department

It’s that time of year to horse around in Woodside.

The Day of the Horse is set to take place this Saturday, Oct. 13.

The annual event was inspired by two Woodside horse lovers wanting to bring the community together in support of the horse.

“It is a chance to pay tribute to our equine friends with a day of fun and festivities,” organizers said.

The Day of the Horse includes a Horse Fair and also a progressive trail ride through town.

The Horse Fair at Woodside Town Hall runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind the Wells Fargo bank (see map). The fair will feature a Pioneer Emigrant Wagon exhibit, a Wells Fargo Stagecoach ride, a blacksmith working live in front of the crowd, face-painting, decorating horse-shaped cookies, making equine art, a pony ride, listening to a pony’s heartbeat, visiting the Woodside Community Museum and joining the town for a carrot cake and apple juice social.

Admission to the horse fair is free and open to the public.

The progressive trail ride, meanwhile, runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and attracts riders from as far away as Southern California.

“Everyone is invited to bring their horses to tour the town trails of Woodside, stopping at barns and local landmarks along the way,” organizers said.

For more information on The Day of the Horse, visit here.

We’re co-hosting our first City Council Candidates Forum this Thursday, October 11th, from 7-9pm at Redeemer Lutheran.

Hear from all seven candidates on crucial issues facing our community.  Moderated by our political columnist Mark Simon, the forum will include questions from the audience, submitted that evening or through our site. Have a question? Submit yours now! If you can’t make it in person we will be live streaming the event on our Facebook page, be sure to like us for updates!

Be sure to stop by or tune in on Facebook so you don’t miss a chance to get to know your City Council Candidates.

Event details:

Date: Thursday, October 11, 2018

Time: 7-9pm

Location: Redeemer Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall at 468 Grand St. Redwood City, CA

Last year, the Redwood City/San Mateo County Holiday Toy and Book Drive provided over 12,000 toys and books to over 500 families.

Those sorts of numbers cannot be reached, of course, without donations.

The annual toy and books drive is currently collecting donations and encouraging community members and businesses to again help enrich the holidays for local families in need.

How to help? You could put a toy and book collection barrel at your business or center. Last year, over 70 businesses participated. Also, individuals can help by donating new, unwrapped toys and books or make a donation, and corporate sponsorships are welcome. Volunteers are also needed to join wrapping parties to prepare gifts for the kids. See the flyer below for ways you can help.

“If you are interested in having a toy collection barrel, volunteering, or making a donation to our program, please fill out the form on the reverse side and mail or email to the address on the form,” organizers said.

At the end, Santa Claus will deliver presents personally to each child’s home escorted by uniformed police officer, deputy sheriff or firefighter personnel.