Former COW, while I can’t agree with you that the Almanac’s article “Mad Cow Disease” was “lighthearted”, I don’t know that Ms. Gemmet’s column or the other two posts’ here on COW were meant to malign. I imagine it is more a case of venting. I understand the frustration of people who have been dealing with the planning process in Woodside and have had to rely on the Almanac to get information out about it. I have attended public hearings and been taken aback by the reporting on some of those meetings in the Almanac. But I can also see where a columnist who only attends hearings and listens to just bits and pieces of a handful of projects may be insulated from the bigger picture.
Like many in Town including Mr. Peterson and Woodside John Han****, I do think the reporting for Woodside could be more comprehensive, I base this on my own experience. I have had personal experience with Ms. Gemmet’s reporting when I sued the town over public records. I had hoped she would have accurately told the whole story but was sad to see that her articles on the subject repeated ridiculous innuendos about the reasons for the suit instead of the fact that after numerous attempts to get public information I was repeatedly told that we needed to give the town $800 to $1000 to simply view public information and that the information we were requesting was not easily available and/or impossible to obtain. I knew from working in the Building and Planning department for over 12 years that information was available and that the law limits the town’s ability to charge anything but copying costs (15 cents a page). The town continued to insist on its right to charge exorbitant “research” fees so we went to court. Not only did the town concede they were in error and pay money towards my attorney’s fees but they asked for my help in telling them exactly what type of records they actually have. As part of the settlement I helped design and had final approval of the public records request handout and some of the policies that are now used by the town.
None of this was included in the Almanacs article about the settlement. What it did include though was a statement by Susan George, the town manager, to Ms. Gemmet concerning the settlement in that “It seemed prudent. The procedural changes we were going to do anyway, so it’s no loss,”. No loss? The lawsuit cost the Town over $34,000 just in legal costs. If they had followed the law, provided the requested information and promised not to charge anyone illegal fees it would have cost them nothing and I would have paid them the $3 for the 20 copies I wanted.
There are more examples, the problems are many and wide spread. Retaliation happens. As I have said before, I have myself experienced it. In my case clients and prospective clients have been told by some town staff that they shouldn’t use my services. For other people it’s much worse. In consequence I recommend to people to be extremely careful when dealing with anything that involves the town. Because there is risk, my firm has implemented a number of privacy/protection policies and programs and advises some that if they don’t use or follow ours to get or create their own. There is a potential for retaliation and it’s multiplied over the last couple of years despite warnings to the Town Council and manager. I hope this will change and soon.
While some at town hall are knowledgeable, good hearted and helpful, it seems to me as more people are willing and encouraged to tell their stories through the Almanac as well as COW; it can only result in a better Woodside.