Election 2004: 'Democrat' flier causes flap in Menlo council race Election 2004: 'Democrat' flier causes flap in Menlo council race (October 27, 2004)

A campaign mailer titled "Voter Information Guide for Democrats" is causing a bit of a flap in the Menlo Park City Council race.

The problem, say some residents who received it, is that the flier urges support for candidates Lorie Sinnott and Michael Lambert. But the San Mateo County Democratic Party has actually endorsed the other two candidates, Kelly Fergusson and Andrew Cohen.

The flier says in small print that it is not an official partisan endorsement, but it is adorned with a picture of presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry and lists other Democratic candidates such as U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo. There is no phone number, but the mailer states that it was paid for by Voter Information Guide in Southern California.

Teresa Walsh and several other Menlo Park residents told the Almanac that they thought the flier was deceptive. "This disingenuous attempt to mislead Menlo Park voters should raise an alarm," Ms. Walsh wrote in a letter to the editor.

Ms. Sinnott, though, said the mailer didn't bother her because council positions are nonpartisan. She said she hadn't yet seen the flier but that she thought it was one of several so-called "slate cards" that she had paid about $100 to have her name listed on.

"I bought on to Republican and Democrat," she said. "I don't see it as misleading; it's just name recognition."

Ms. Sinnott added: "I'm a Republican who votes for Democrats. For me, my party is sort of meaningless. I go issue by issue."

But Mr. Lambert said he had "absolutely not" paid to be on the mailer. He added that he was concerned that "the opposition" had done it to embarrass him.

The flier also states in fine print that only candidates with asterisks by their names paid to be included. Ms. Sinnott's and Mr. Lambert's names do not have asterisks.

Women's caucus endorses Fergusson, Sinnott

Two candidates for the Menlo Park City Council, Kelly Fergusson and Lorie Sinnott, have been endorsed by the National Women's Political Caucus San Mateo County.

Caucus members voted to support the two after interviewing them, endorsement chair Terilyn Hanko said in a press release.

"These women have demonstrated a firm commitment to issues that affect the quality of life for all of us in the community, including reproductive freedom of choice, quality education programs, and sexual harassment prevention," Ms. Hanko said.

Ms. Fergusson and Ms. Sinnott are competing against Andrew Cohen and Michael Lambert for two seats on the Menlo Park council this November. Incumbents Paul Collacchi and Chuck Kinney are not running.

Councilman Kinney hosts event

Menlo Park Councilman Chuck Kinney may not be running again for the council, but he's still playing a role in this campaign.

On Thursday, October 28, he and his wife, Marilyn, are holding an event at their home to support candidates Andy Cohen and Kelly Fergusson and to allow the two to meet their neighbors.

The event will go from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at 836 Creek Drive. RSVPs are requested; call 473-0321.

Lorie Sinnott and Michael Lambert are the other two candidates for the two available seats on the council. Councilman Paul Collacchi has also opted not to run again.

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