I met Sean for the first time at a club dinner on Tuesday night where Sean was one of several guests. I was introduced to him by one of his neighbors whom I know well, and who told me that Sean was running for the District 4 seat. I was impressed with Sean, and spent a reasonable amount of time speaking with him. He was eager to talk about the town, how much he valued it and its rural lifestyle, and how he hoped to contribute back to it through the Town Council. As I recall, he told me that he had been a resident for going on ten years, and that he has two children in Woodside Elementary School. We discussed several issues about the Town, and I found his observations and objectives thoughtful, positive, and constructive. He is personable, well spoken, intelligent, and well educated. I will definitely be voting for him and supporting him 100%.

Sirs:

There is an unambiguous distinction between being appointed versus being elected to the Town Council. By appearing on the official ballot, Mssrs. Brown, Dombkowski, and Scott are in fact standing for, and presumably will be, elected to office.

By contrast, Portola Valley has chosen, at their discretion, to cancel the election for Town Council because the number of candidates did not exceed the number of open seats. The result of the cancellation is appointment rather than election to the Portola Valley Town Council.

Pronouncing, both in this article and in an earlier headline, that the uncontested seats are being appointed is factually incorrect and a disservice to the open election process that is fundamental to American Democracy.