It’s great to read this story! Thanks so much for this. It’s a serious problem when a politician relies on misinformation. Based on what I’ve read in his posts, blog, political page, etc he’s spread wrong info on a lot of topics around town, including the animal shelter, the city and staff, renters, ordinances, developers and council members.

Dear Almanac,

I did not vote for Mark Dinan. The few times I have talked to him I have found him to be informed and honest about his experience and conditions here in EPA. I did not vote for him because I disagree with his openly stated belief that more “affordable housing” is the thing needed to address the many problems facing our city. Mark was always honest and open that affordable housing was his #1 priority, sticking with this position even when I disagreed with him on the issue. I respect him for sticking with his priority, even though it might cost him at least one of the votes (out of the potential 300) he would need to win a seat on the council.

With that said Almanac/Palo Alto Online, your article is a poorly written, and even more poorly researched hit piece. A few specific points
1. Ms. Dreman, are you able to use your time (and staffs time) to calculate the number of apartment housing units in EPA circa 1992 (30 years ago) compared with today (2022)? Your source mentions some units being built, but gives no direct evidence that Mark’s claim is untrue. Your lack of research, and choice of a source (an “Executive Director” from a “local” “nonprofit organization”) seems to fit an exact method for biased or fake news.
2. You sight Dinan’s claims about how Measure L funds could be misused by giving a platform to the people he is accusing of fund misuse to make claims about how they have spent money on past projects. Did you verify any of their claims? Did you do any research? Did you believe former President Trump when he claimed that he won the 2020 election? I sure hope not, but when EPA government officials make claims you seem to believe them without question.
3. You quote another “Executive Director” this time from YUCA (Youth United for Community Action) to dispute his claims about the number of stray cats and dogs? It wasn’t possible for you to ask local Animal Control, or county SPCA? When did YUCA become the go to for information on local animal populations?

Common Almanac.

[Post removed due to repeat posting by same poster]

In catching up on what’s happening on election day in East Palo Alto I’ve seen one candidate calling for Mark Dinan to resign from city commission he’s on and concede the election because apparently there are serious allegations of Dinan writing racist comments. I hope this is followed up on here.