The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has finally made real what just about everyone else in San Mateo County already guessed: Redwood City councilmember Rosanne Foust has a conflict of interest that will taint her ability to vote on the proposed Cargill development in the city she represents. Foust has denied a possible conflict several times as this issue has been raised repeatedly over the past couple of years. It wasn’t until Andy Cohen, a councilmember from neighboring Menlo Park filed a formal complaint with the FPPC, California’s political watchdog agency, claiming that Foust’s dual role as CEO of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA) and as a councilmember who will make key votes on a major development project formally endorsed by SAMCEDA, which is also financially supported by the developer, Cargill, as a member of agency.
The relationship between the developer and Faust’s employer has long been called into question and the FPPC has basically made clear that the relationship is too close for comfort. As a result, according to numerous news reports, Faust will be forced to recuse herself from any future votes on the proposed development and will likely remain silent on the subject altogether henceforth.
Central to this debate is the proposed development of what are now largely salt evaporation ponds and surround property owned by Cargill/Redwood City Industrial Saltworks. The multinational corporation, which is moving its production to Mexico, proposes to build a massive housing and commercial development on bay front property with as much as 12,000 units of housing in addition to commercial units.
Many city councils in neighboring cities have passed formal resolutions in opposition to the project citing the deleterious impacts to the Bay and the regional infrastructure if such a massive development goes forward including Menlo Park, Belmont, Woodside, and more recently, Atherton.
Cohen’s actions were just the latest chapter in what is and will be a major political dividing line in southern San Mateo County. It is also not the first time the development has impacted local politics.
Recently, the issue played a major role in the Democratic Primary Election for the 21st Assembly District seat which covers southern San Mateo and northern Santa Clara counties.
According to local news reports, Cargill spent tens of thousands of dollars to end the political ambitions of former Palo Alto councilmember Yoriko Kishimito who placed third in the 21st district Primary. Why? Kishimoto has been an outspoken opponent of the development and the folks at Cargill evidently wanted to make sure that no such opponent made it to higher office.
It goes without saying that Cargill political money will go directly and indirectly to any sitting or would-be politician who will support the project and for those who oppose it, they should expect a healthy dose of campaign cash spent in opposition to their candidacies.
Three seats on the Menlo Park City Council will be on the November 2010 ballot as well as an open San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. The public will know soon who takes the development money and who will take the brunt of the development money.
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