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Helping Those Who Help Themselves

Original post made by John P. Johns, CPA, another community, on Apr 23, 2010

Jerry Carlson had no problem giving Charles Marsala a free pass when Marsala solicited a bribe (er "loan") from a resident in litigation with the Town.

We now know why. Jerry Carlson is also guilty of the same kind of misconduct, misconduct that Mr. Carlson has most generously referred to as an "error in judgment".

Mr. Carlson has no business voting to use public funds to sue the California High Speed Rail Authority because Jerry Carlson lives within approximately 500 feet of the tracks. Clearly a train running through his neighborood at close to 200 miles per hour every ten minutes to one half-hour would have an effect upon the marketability of his property. However that is just what Mr. Carlson has done.

It appears that Mr. Carlson along with Mr. Marsala would more appropriately be attired in an orange jumpsuit, rather than a sportcoat and tie.

I call upon Atherton to call upon the Attorney General to get to the bottom of what is going on in Atherton.

With three members of the City Council (Ms. Lewis, Mr. Carlson and Mr. Marsala) having been caught with their hands in the cookie jar it is a small wonder why Ms. Furth sees no wrong.

Comments (5)

Posted by Jon Buckheit
a resident of Atherton: West Atherton
on Apr 23, 2010 at 8:13 am

I have called upon the city council to end this Tammany hall style of governance. When I spoke about this yesterday, Elizabeth Lewis found it very funny as she was constantly laughing. However, California law could not be clearer on this issue:

No public official at any level of state or local government shall make, participate in making or in any way attempt to use his official position to influence a governmental decision in which he knows or has reason to know he has a financial interest. (Gov. Code, ยง 87100.)


Posted by POGO
a resident of Woodside: other
on Apr 23, 2010 at 10:57 am

POGO is a registered user.

An elected official who openly laughs at a constituent who is voicing a legitimate concern is arguably the lowest form of a politician and truly unworthy of public office.

Perhaps she'll say it was someone else. She's used that excuse before...


Posted by Jon Buckheit
a resident of Atherton: West Atherton
on Apr 23, 2010 at 11:04 am

POGO, to pick up on your point, when I asked her what was so funny, she replied by saying, "I'm laughing at you". There was a room full of witnesses including the Mayor and City Manager.


Posted by POGO
a resident of Woodside: other
on Apr 23, 2010 at 12:22 pm

POGO is a registered user.

This complete lack of respect from an elected official is beyond the pale. Just as a Council Member would never tolerate disrespectful treatment from a member of the town's staff, they should not tolerate it from a fellow member of their Council either.

If a Council Member wants respect from the public, they should show respect. Regardless of polical stripe, the good people of Atherton should be disgusted by the contempt shown by Ms. Lewis. She is truly unworthy of their vote.

Mr. Buckheit, you are another name in an ever growing list of people that are owed an apology by Ms. Lewis.


Posted by Menlo Voter
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Apr 23, 2010 at 8:19 pm

Mr. Stogner:

I have to disagree. What Ms. Lewis is displaying is unbridled arrogance and contempt. She has gotten away with so much for so long that she has ceased to care what others think and she thinks herself invulnerable. Look what didn't happen when she assaulted a citizen. Or look at what she has gotten away with flouting the zoning laws of Atherton. Her house is so far in excess of the FARs as to be a joke. For anyone to argue that her home somehow complies with town ordinances is absurd.

No Mr. Stogner, what you are witnessing with Ms. Lewis is someone that thinks they are above the law. So far, there is nothing to suggest she is wrong as no one of authority seems willing to show her that she is NOT above the law.


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