Issue date: December 09, 1998
By BARBARA WOOD
Woodside's latest attempt to host a scandal sputtered to a close at the December 2 Town Council meeting as council members decided not to act on what one audience member dubbed "Woodside's Lesliegate," allegations that Planning Commissioner Leslie Stepp had abused her public office.
"There's not enough here to take any action," said Councilman Bill McSherry after a hearing on accusations from the Little Store restaurant owners that Ms. Stepp had solicited free meals in return for dropping opposition to expanding the restaurant's hours.
"I would be reluctant indeed to take any formal disciplinary action," said Councilwoman Carroll Ann Hodges.
The whole episode began with an October 6 letter of complaint addressed to Town Manager Susan George and signed by Little Store owners Greg St. Claire and James Guaspari. The letter says it was written at 4:15 a.m. after a sleepless night.
The letter alleges Ms. Stepp told them "some 'free or complimentary meals' for her and her neighbors might change her mind" about her opposition to the business hours planned for the restaurant.
Ms. George responded to the letter and forwarded it to Town Council members, who asked for a public hearing to make sure Ms. Stepp's actions had not violated the town's code of ethics.
Ms. Stepp rebutted the charges in her own letter to the council. She said she considers all her dealings with the restaurant to be as a private citizen, not a planning commissioner, because she lives within 300 feet of the Little Store and is not allowed to vote on any matters which affect it.
After reprising their allegations, both restaurateurs said they had never intended their concerns to come to a public forum.
Our intention "was not to have this hearing," said Mr. Guaspari. "I don't have anything to gain from having Leslie Stepp on or off the Planning Commission," he said.
"This thing has gotten so ridiculous. I'm can't believe I'm standing here discussing this stuff," said Mr. St. Claire. "My issues, Susan (George) has handled. We don't have a problem with Leslie now," he said.
"This thing has just turned into a gigantic joke."
Ms. Stepp said in her behalf that because she cannot vote on issues affecting the restaurant, she would have nothing to offer the restaurant owners in return for a free meal. "The most I could offer ... is simply my opinion as a neighbor," she said.
Ms. Stepp, who attended the meeting with her attorney, said she found the accusations by the Little Store owners to be "false, defamatory, and libelous."
At points the meeting turned slightly surreal. One neighbor testified that Ms. Stepp had once yelled "shut up" over her back fence to some neighbors having a barbecue.
Phil Forsyth revealed that the Little Store owners had offered "special meal considerations" to his dog Angel, who he said was voted the "friendliest dog in Woodside" at the recent Rotary Club Pooch Pageant.
And Pioneer Hotel and Gilbert Center owner Bill Gilbert pointed out what some might see as obvious: "We have a lot worse things going on."
Council members said they felt the meeting had brought up some important issues and asked to take another look at the town's code of ethics at a future meeting.
"I think this can serve as a wake-up call to all of us," said Councilwoman Hodges. "We need to be especially alert to our ethical responsibilities."
"Not only Leslie, but all of us should take this as a cautionary tale," said Councilman John Blake. "I think it's been excruciating for all of us, not just Leslie."
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