Letter to the Editor: Bill Kelly's Take On the Mayor/Waterfront Watch Discussion

-By resident Bill Kelly

Jeff Wisniewski recently wrote two items in the Waterfront Watch and I find my self feeling compelled to comment on both.

One writing commented on the differences between Councilman/Mayor Dan Romero and Community Activist/Candidate Dan Romero; while the other accused the Council of “abandoning” the “vision”.

Mr. Wisniewski referenced an incident at a recent City Council meeting where Mayor Romero administered what was described as a … “a public whipping”… to a citizen who asked for the opportunity to speak to the council on an agenda item. That citizen was me and I was allowed to speak.

I viewed the incident as “Dan being Dan” to be frank. I have been highly disappointed in Mr. Romero (whom I supported financially and otherwise) since his election. I have perceived tendencies to be “secretive”, “controlling” and “intolerant” of those who do not agree with his views; I have also thought that this is not unusual in “rookie” public officials and hopeful that a more reasonable and more populist Dan Romero would emerge.

I continue to be hopeful in that regard. I do not agree that the Council has “abandoned” the “vision”. Mayor Romero accurately stated in his written response to Wisniewski that, “…the council was taking funds from DIF’s to keep the possibility of that project continued…”(sic), in addressing the historic facts leading to the recent votes regarding the sale of city owned properties. 

I continue to look forward to a train station and bistros along Bayfront Blvd. It may be that this will not be soon as had been hoped or a grandiose as shown in the Story Boards.  The City of Hercules seriously overreached in recent years and now there is a price to pay.

The unfortunate facts of life are that people often end up paying for other people’s mistakes and sins – that’s just life.