GetReal145
10-14-2010, 12:02 AM
I got Ron Basso's Council literature. In the second sentence, he describes himself as a businessman "in retirement" wanting to "give back" to his community. Then as his affordable housing solution, he writes, "I feel that the greenest building is the one already standing--and to that end, I would encourage upper floor residential development above our downtown retail..."
Nowhere in Mr. Basso's pamphlet is it disclosed that Mr. Basso is the largest owner of upper floor downtown retail, and that if this space was re-zoned for living, he would personally profit enormously from the change.
In my view, it is fine to have this position, but to MISLEAD voters into thinking he is retired and then to NEGLECT to DISCLOSE his CLEAR CONFLICT OF INTEREST in this matter, is very troubling. As a Sebastopol voter, I worry that if he wins election to represent us, he might push an agenda from which he personally profits in a large way, while not recusing himself from votes, or even disclosing his financial interest in the outcome of such legislation.
I have seen For Rent signs on the top floor of the Basso building, right next to Rite Aide, in the heart of our downtown retail district, for two years.
Candidate Basso's failure to be up front about what seems to me to be a clear conflict of interest makes me wonder what type of council Member he will be. I am not a candidate or personal friend of one, but I believe that transparency from our public officials benefits our city, and bring this to the attention of my fellow voters in the spirit of that belief.
.
Nowhere in Mr. Basso's pamphlet is it disclosed that Mr. Basso is the largest owner of upper floor downtown retail, and that if this space was re-zoned for living, he would personally profit enormously from the change.
In my view, it is fine to have this position, but to MISLEAD voters into thinking he is retired and then to NEGLECT to DISCLOSE his CLEAR CONFLICT OF INTEREST in this matter, is very troubling. As a Sebastopol voter, I worry that if he wins election to represent us, he might push an agenda from which he personally profits in a large way, while not recusing himself from votes, or even disclosing his financial interest in the outcome of such legislation.
I have seen For Rent signs on the top floor of the Basso building, right next to Rite Aide, in the heart of our downtown retail district, for two years.
Candidate Basso's failure to be up front about what seems to me to be a clear conflict of interest makes me wonder what type of council Member he will be. I am not a candidate or personal friend of one, but I believe that transparency from our public officials benefits our city, and bring this to the attention of my fellow voters in the spirit of that belief.
.