Times Editorial: Hercules voters must decide council makeup
— by Jeffrey Wisniewski — 18 January 2011 — 2 comments below »
Contra Costa Times Editorial board:
Some say that [Don] Kuehne and [Joanne] Ward did not abuse the system the way [Ed] Balico did. That’s true. As far as we know, they did not try to use their offices for personal gain. But they too have badly mismanaged the city, failed to act when advised of the nepotism of former City Manager Nelson Oliva and participated in the firing of his interim replacement who was finally taking steps to clean up city finances.
Adding insult to injury, Kuehne, in one gesture last week, revealed his true contempt for the residents of Hercules, the electoral system that put him in office and the recall process that, we hope, will remove him — if he doesn’t resign sooner. After being served with recall papers at the City Council meeting, Kuehne dramatically ripped them up and tossed them aside.
As a result, some who had been reluctant to join the recall effort are now jumping on board. Voters must use the political process to send him and all city officials the message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
The stars are aligning for June 7th! Brown wants a special state-wide election for continuing taxes, the Recall Committee is working hard for the June 7th election timeline (we still need volunteers) and now it appears the Council could opt to have Balico’s replacement also on June 7th! In the meantime, please please visit herculesrecall.com and register. Donations are welcome too! Our next community meeting is at City Hall, this Saturday, from 11 am to 1 pm. We will have petitions ready!
I was a fence-sitter before, but watching Don Kuehne show his contempt for the people of Hercules and for the democratic process itself by holding the recall petition over his head and arrogantly tearing it to bits in front of a hundred citizens, most of whom were there specifically to seek his recall, made me realize that he is unfit for public office. Shame on Mr. Kuehne. It is a travesty that he was elected, apparently by a public unaware of his arrogance and pettiness, and every day he remains on the council is an embarrassment. He should do the minimally honorable thing and resign now.