HomeMy WebLinkAbout01. Public Comment from Scott Rafferty Public Comment Period (for items not on the agenda) — 11/19/2020 Board Meeting:
(Read aloud at meeting by Secretary of the District Katie Young)
From: Scott Rafferty <rafferty(a-).gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2020 2:27 PM
To: Katie Young <KYoungC@centralsan.org>
Subject: Re: Today's meeting
I realize that, for two of you, the election did not turn out as you hoped and probably
expected. I particularly want to acknowledge Paul Causey, who was a clear and
committed voice to doing the best possible job for your constituents with no regard for
the personal political consequences. I am reminded of Mt Diablo's president, JoAnn
Durfee. When a series of knockover effects made clear that the Pacheco-
Moniment immigrant community couldn't have the most effective trustee area without
sacrificing her ability to win election, she pushed for that option despite her desire to
continue a distinguished career in public service. Many parents in that community
cannot volunteer in their kid's own schools for fear of immigration consequences. Now
they have an authentic voice on the Board. The immediate benefits of the difficult
decision that this Board has made are less dramatic.
Still, districting is an opportunity to engage voters in more effectively competitive
elections and to develop a board that is accessible to and representative of all parts of
the district. You took steps to engage possible candidates by starting the academy and
by subsidizing the candidate statements. Then,you were selected to do more.
While our state legislature is diverse, local government throughout the state has had few
Asian,black, and Latinos officials elected. Big at-large jurisdictions do not allow
minority communities to promote candidates from their own neighborhoods. Change
usually takes a few cycles,but it happened fairly dramatically among the 34 new
districted offices that Contra Costa elected this month. Special districts, especially one
as important as Central San, can provide opportunities for grass-roots candidates,
including candidates selected and supported by minority communities, to enter elective
public service, to gain experience, and to advance to county, state, and federal
office. You are part of our local political ecosystem, and what you have done is good for
our democracy.
You have created two open seats. LaMorinda is a large geographic area that has not
been represented. Perhaps when they have a neighbor on the Board tell them, Moraga
residents will understand why they had a sinkhole and what they can do not to have
another. But your real accomplishment is the 47% division in San Ramon and Camino
Tessajara. A somewhat smaller geography will have an Asian majority by 2022. The
San Ramon Valley jurisdictions had minority candidates compete in this year's
elections, with some good successes.
Compared to what just happened, it would have been better to include Central San in
the regional transition that occurred immediately after the 2018 election. For that, I
must take some responsibility. But I am very selective in determining whether minority
voters benefit from applying this reform to special districts, and try to be
flexible. DSRSD was a success, especially in our county. The fire district had open
seats. appears to have elected an Asian, and will adopt divisions next year,hopefully in
tandem with the school district,which has almost identical territory.
So, I know this is a time of disappointment for Mr Nejedly and Mr Causey,but I hope
that they and all of you take pride in knowing that you did right by the voters, the
district, and our state's democracy, given the options you were provided.
Scott Rafferty
1913 Whitecliff Ct
Walnut Creek CA 94596
mobile 202-380-5525