Insults, shouts and 'hecklers': the state of debate in Menlo Park Insults, shouts and 'hecklers': the state of debate in Menlo Park (February 11, 2004)

** Mayor Duboc's press conference turns into a shouting match.

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

There's a reason the Hatfields never held a press conference to explain why they hated the McCoys.

Some issues just hit the point where there's no more room for substantive discussion. These days, the level of debate on new home-building rules in Menlo Park keeps sinking deeper and deeper.

Thus went the press conference held February 4 by Mayor Lee Duboc and City Councilman Nicholas Jellins to defend the rules. It proceeded much like the January one called by Planning Commissioner Kelly Fergusson, who is rallying residents to overturn the rules. From oration to accusations to shouting.

As about 35 people gathered in front of the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce office, Ms. Duboc and Mr. Jellins donned sunglasses to stick up for the plan, which the council recently passed with a 3-2 council vote.

Ms. Duboc started things off by denouncing Ms. Fergusson and her corps of volunteers for disseminating "untruths and hysteria."

Mr. Jellins said the plan's rule-based approach to the approval process for new homes and major remodels makes the process easier to navigate and "requires that the rules apply to everybody."

A few supporters chimed in, including resident Sam Sinnott, who objected to Ms. Fergusson's January statement that the new rules are "the most sweeping and devastating change to the laws of Menlo Park since we became a city 75 years ago." He accused Ms. Fergusson, who was not present, of being unfamiliar with the city and the zoning ordinance, and willing to say anything to further her campaign.

Resident Chuck Bernstein jumped up to offer a dissenting opinion. Passing out a flier saying that the council "actively discouraged public discussion of the final ordinance," he tried to speak, but Mr. Jellins wouldn't let him use the microphone.

As Mr. Bernstein raised his voice to a yell, Mr. Jellins spoke over him, saying, "Hecklers are not part of this news conference." Several residents watched wide-eyed without a word.

Maybe it didn't matter who was allowed to use the microphone, though. Because the press conference was held only a few feet from the railroad tracks, much of it was drowned out. Trains roared by, buses rattled and moaned along the street, and planes flew overhead. At one point, a man came by with a leaf-blower.

Over the din, former Mayor Steve Schmidt called from the crowd, "If this ordinance affects most residents in Menlo Park, why are you not willing to put it to the voters?"

"If we have an election, this puts on hold this great ordinance," Ms. Duboc said.

The petition supporters, who generally decry the new rules as too loose and a gateway to "monster homes," say they've gathered about 2,200 signatures, more than the required 1,700. If they indeed have enough, the council must either rescind the new rules or have the voters decide whether to do so.

Slamming the petition, Ms. Duboc said, "This is just wasteful of public resources."

Mr. Jellins urged the crowd to give the ordinance a chance.

Mr. Bernstein shouted, "Nicholas, you are full of it, and the people in this city are beginning to learn that."

Don Johnson, a retired city building official, injected a temporary calming influence with his gentle voice. He said the new rules would help owners of small and oddly shaped "non-conforming" lots, treating them like all the others.

But more yelling ensued when resident Brielle Johnck said the rules were fueled by developers and accused Ms. Duboc of taking contributions from them.

"I never took that money," Ms. Duboc cried. "Tell the truth, Brielle. Tell the truth."

Ms. Duboc then adjourned the press conference because another train was coming.

As February 12 nears, both sides lobby on, dueling on the streets and in the letters columns of newspapers. But despite the hubbub, not every family in Menlo Park is dissecting the details of the zoning ordinance over dinner.

Planning Commissioner Patti Fry, who's collecting signatures for the petition, said after the press conference, "An amazing number of people don't know that anything's been happening."

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