Election Day Prognositcation

Prognostication is defined as “To predict according to present indications or signs; to foretell; to predict.” It is a time honored tradition when it comes to horse races, sporting events and political campaigns.

As today is election day in San Mateo County, let’s peer into the political crystal ball. Perhaps the most intriguing race is for Belmont City Council (and no slight to the candidates and issues in other municipalities), where nothing less than the future of the town is at stake. When Councilmembers Coralin Feierbach and Dave Warden opted not to seek re-lection, it opened the way for progress to return to Belmont.

Since 2009, the council has been bogged down by petty disagreements and split into factions (Mayor Christine Wozniak, Warden and Feierbach vs. Warren Leiberman – who is running for re-election - and Councilman David Braunstein.)

Enter Planning Commissioners Kristin Mercer and Gladwyn d'Souza, former Planning Commissioner Eric Reed, REALTOR® Mike Verdone and attorney Charles Stone. It’s not difficult to dissect the ramifications: A) It is a given that Lieberman will win re-election. B) If Mercer and d’Souza win, it will be business as usual (i.e. no change and continued fractious stagnation). C) If Reed, Verdone or Stone capture the two open seats, they’ll represent an inclusive City Council that listens and responds to the needs of ALL residents with a new perspective while preserving the village atmosphere that is Belmont.

Of course, Feierbach and Warden are backing Mercer and d’Souza, for as Feierbach stated in a recent ‘how to vote’ email: “Of the six people running for Belmont City Council, I am only voting for two: Kristin Mercer and Gladwyn d'Souza. Without the leadership and Planning Commission experience of Kristin and Gladwyn on the next City Council (Editor’s Note: Such as the both of them punting on the Crystal Springs school site issue, but I digress), much of this work and progress could be lost and we run the risk of uncontrolled urbanization and ‘anything goes’ attitude.”

There’s nothing wrong with Warden and Feierbach trying one last push to keep their influence; that, too, is a time honored political tradition… but “uncontrolled urbanization and an ‘anything goes" attitude in Belmont? Really?! The statement is completely risible.

Feierbach didn’t stop there though: “In contrast, the other candidates (Leiberman, Verdone, Reed and Stone) have been endorsed by SAMCAR (San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®), and have obvious loyalties to unrestrained development. I truly don't think they care about preserving the unique character of our town.” “Unrestrained development?!” And just exactly where would that occur in Belmont, he asked tongue firmly in cheek.

Interesting how ‘the sky is falling’ types are claiming the REALTORS® are trying to influence the election yet not a word would be uttered if the same actions were undertaken by environmental, neighborhood groups or employee unions… and don’t doubt for a moment they are sans agendas. So it will be even more interesting to see if what I’ve hard some term “the elitists and NIMBYs in Belmont” actually buy into d’Souza and Mercer… could happen. The prognostication: Lieberman, Reed and either Mercer or Verdone, though in all candor, you cannot count out Stone. It will be noteworthy to see what transpires.