An Open Letter to Doris Gentry

Doris Gentry, it might be time to graciously back out of this election. Thank your supporters and blame things on a horrible misunderstanding. No harm is done. Have a nice ride out.

1. Your refusal to answer direct questions is astounding. You claim that private schools love your help. I asked you which ones and what exactly were you doing for them and you blocked me on Facebook.

2. There’s the Proud Boys thing. It’s never a good idea to play footsie with racism. It’s not going away, mostly because you didn’t deal with it in a timely manner and now you just seem disingenuous when you have to defend the indefensible.

3. You are going on about defunding the police. Is this a rallying cry you keep hearing from the left here in Napa or is this chumming the waters for your base? Why are you making this an issue?
   In a promotional video, you seem to think that the problem is sensitivity training for police in dealing with mental health problems. Are you serious? What do you think about the systematic racism in society?

4. Do you really think there is anyone who doesn’t want schools open? Why do you keep saying we have to open schools and yet you offer no plan on how to do it? Have you been working with the school district? Have you even contacted them? If so, what was the result?

5. You claim to be a teacher. Where and when did you earn your teaching credentials?

6. There are at least two businesses you claimed to own but both say you have grossly exaggerated your role. The only proof that you can come up with that you even worked with them is a letter of recommendation for your role as an office manager.

7. You claim to be the producer of the Wine and Chocolate event. You told 209 Magazine: We support foster kids – everyone loves that idea. Every dime goes right to the kids. We have zero employees and zero building; we are a true non-profit. Guests love that.
   
   John Pearson, in a Letter to the Editor of the Napa Register, writes: Public non-profit IRS reports show that this event has not done well. For the five-year period 2014 to 2018 this fund-raising activity spent 70% of the revenue on expenses. In 2018 alone, the revenue for Doris’ production was $56,381 with expenses of $56,235. A net gain of only $146 (less than 1%).

   In 2016 there was a $917 loss.
   
   Your response:
   ” I am not the Treasurer so I don’t have any idea how the numbers were calculated
   ”I organized and hosted and drew the crowds

   "And we did give away lotsa money to other non profits - not sure about the years you mention”
   Doris, this is where I say again, the questions get harder. Which years did you give away “lotsa money”? If you weren’t the Treasurer and didn’t keep tabs on the money, how do you know about money that was given away?

There are many other issues and rather than sweep them under the carpet as you’ve done, your motives are going to be questioned every step of the way. Your non-direct answers bring up all sorts of new questions. You are welcome to answer any of these issues below. I won’t delete or alter a word, but for the sake of peace, I’d suggest you think about another way to help the community.

Steve Sando
Local small business owner and editor of Napa Citizen

Napa Citizen Meets the Candidates for Election 2020

I took on the mammoth task of doing one-on-one interviews with the candidates for mayor and city council of Napa. It was a little out of my skill set, but at the same time, it was an incredible two days. I am not a policy wonk and I am not involved with local politics beyond trying to keep my cool as I see a real lack of leadership. I was going to try and edit them a little but I thought it best and most timely to just release them before the election.

Two candidate interviews are missing. I never intended to interview Doris Gentry, a current council member who is running for mayor of Napa. Napa has a lot of problems and Gentry as mayor would add to them. I’ve refrained from making any endorsements but I will urge you to do a small amount of research on Gentry, probably easiest on Facebook. I asked her if homosexuality was a sin and it took her days to reply, “I’m running for Mayor not Nun.” A simple no would have made things easier. Her problems run much deeper than her lack of support for the LGBT communites.

I was unable to interview Sushi Mambo owner and longtime Napa Renee Cazeres due to a family emergency.

And now, the interviews:

For Mayor

Scott Sedgley
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/X9EoCgMatKhbGCqdgqcIbV2jeoznsgRgD9AOEEmfwWqAjZVIMQHskasinbL47mL-._Lz3YOFFsGxtkDGZ

Gerardo Martin
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/eA6s-CGFgS9tRTwru0zQr0KpzA6p_7sSFiHjHIieZW78CrGGtDDFnE564YCaISrp.VXrmX2qVYkpAMGIR

Doris Gentry
https://www.facebook.com/FrontlineUSA/videos/2321075637971190/

As I said above, I don’t want to give this candidate any more airtime but here she is at a local event opening for Frontline America’s Ben Bergquam, who is a self-identified member of the Proud Boys. Note his alt-right White Supremecy hand signal as Gentry speaks. If this seems appropriate for you, Gentry is your candidate.

City Council, Distric 4

Rene Cazeres
Renee had a family emergency and was unable to be interviewed. Renee writes, “My campaign is 100% grassroots. I have raised less than $2,000 since July, all small donations from individuals between $5 and $100 each. I never want to be beholden to any large donors, businesses, special interests, or developers. I am beholden to the citizens of the City of Napa.

By not accepting money from special interests, I will review each development project from an objective standpoint. I remain firm that we need to protect open spaces and watersheds from urbanization, and we need to evaluate our ever increasing hotel growth, and how it negatively impacts our economy (we need economic diversification) and environment. I am a natural leader, with over 25 years owning and operating a successful local eatery in the Napa Valley, 18 of those years operating in the heart of Downtown Napa. I am honest, approachable, patient, and transparent. I am a good listener and have common sense. I have the knowledge and experience to lead. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my position on issues affecting the City of Napa, as well as my candidacy for District 4.

You may email me at: reneecazarescitycouncil@gmail.com
Please visit my Facebook Page at: www.facebook.com/cazaresfornapacitycouncil2020
To donate, please visit my website: www.reneecazares.com

Bernie Narvaez
Date: Oct 13, 2020 10:58 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Meeting Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/fDOWD5nF-7WCkddc2_PfxpPfQiIWOuamwGcZWcehko-1gkY9PO2i9WVIzDDjkBnQ.23ggrfDRPI0w6Dpr

City Council, District 2

David Campbell
Date: Oct 13, 2020 01:56 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Meeting Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/h7eCeawaQde52UuIt2fAYI8JHkSezWd6YPDck3z6mlvQVAkjFz4H4G6aB2XV2Agb.YpW7e030spep4SRt

James Hinton
Date: Oct 13, 2020 03:51 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Meeting Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/hu4rBehAlnU6W8xgKK7SvCRH-GUE96ngWPxIkDyk9R9SmCNWVtpyVstORcQm9Oso.Ag5br-s03cixxEdI

Beth Painter
Note: I offered all of the candidates the opportunity to correct anything they wanted and I love that it’s left in on this clip. It’s worth noting that none of the candidates asked for a time out or to reshoot the segment. https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/XMJTfUjQN5iTlTSvt-Gg94KfwnagSzdPGiYcC-Lf0BsSEYg8taB1WLBBu3kLNgWH.lQpCSHH_qlcX851L

Paul Stoddard
Date: Oct 13, 2020 04:57 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Meeting Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/T6GB1sPWWftvmEjHDpYGjdd4pzfBhmG1JhFooTeZhDWH4Ko3qRXhGtKv8wimGY0L.mDBSRECc5PPoZevg

My final thoughts, I liked something about almost all of these people. I love that they are serious and putting themselves out there, which can’t be easy. As you watch the videos, think about the candidates and if they’d be approachable on issues you don’t agree upon. Are they really up for tackling the issues that matter to you or is it business as usual?

I have a business in Napa but I can’t vote as I’m not a resident and I’m chosing not to endorse any of them. I like them and with the exception of Doris Gentry, I wouldn’t be upset if any of them won. I have my preferences but you’ll need to buy me a beer after the COVID-19 crisis to get them out of me.

Napa Citizen Rounb Table- with Dr Amber Manfree and Kellie Anderson

Here’s the first videocast from the Round Table.
Dr Amber Manfree and Kellie Anderson join host Steve Sando for Napa Citizen Round Table, a regular video conference on Napa County local politics and news. Today we discuss the county's response to the COVID 19 virus, open space, the planning commission, and more. Napa Citizen was formed to explore themes and issues that affect valley residents, not just business.

The County Makes a Move

This should have been done in March. Or April. Or May. Or June. Or last week but it’s mid-July and the county has finally issued a strong ordinance for dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. You can read the details here at the Napa Valley Register.

My friend Charlie Toledo, who leads the Suscol Intertribal Council, sums it up like this,

“Basically, individuals in Napa county not complying by wearing masks in public can be fined up too $500. Businesses up to $5,000, Effective immediately!! A lot of folks have been asking Napa County supervisors to take leadership and insist that businesses, residents, and visitors follow these basic health guidelines!!”

My opinion is that it was clear very early on that the Federal government, led by Trump, was not going to take care of things. This is shocking. For all of our problems, I used to think we had our problems but if there were a crisis, you want the Americans. I felt this is really what we do best. Yet here was an administration just rolling over and trying to PR their way out of the crisis. Governors came in to pick up the slack and expected the counties to execute the mandates. I expected the same thing but our local Board of Supervisors wanted no part of this. The response has been lackluster, either from lack of talent or resources. I suspect the latter but I wouldn’t know because I’ve never been granted an interview. I didn’t expect the spin to come so strong from the county. County spokesperson Elizabeth Scott’s role seems not just to share information but control it.

When the feds gave up, it was up to the state. The state counted on the county and it’s been eye opening and disappointing that instead of making bold decisions that would have helped our citizens, they kicked the can and prayed for miracles. And avoided calls.

The County and COVID-19

How did we get here? It’s a mess.

I believe that the Napa County board of supervisors are our representatives into the county, much like a congressman or senator would be. They should be who we turn to for help. Why is it so hard to get a response from them?

Back in April, I wrote Supervisor Wagenknecht about my concern for violators who were open illegally and a big box store that wasn’t practicing any of the established protocol. I never heard from him and sent a letter to the Board and the Mayor, for good measure. The only person who responded was Mayor Techel, with a very helpful package of information that was relevant at the time. So this issue of enforcement isn’t new. I did finally speak with Wagenknecht weeks later and he replied in an aw-shucks manner, “What I hear you seeing is that we need to be better about enforcement.” Uh, yes. This was in April.

Is this is a crisis or isn’t it? The feds have deserted us and the state makes mandates that the county executes. Yes, there needs to be enforcement. As of today, there is a “task force”. It is July, we have tourists coming in unmasked and there is no clear policy.

There have been a series of live informational streams on Facebook with HHS director Relucio, Supervisor Dillon, and Communications and Public Information Officer Elizabeth Scott. Scott cherry-picks the questions from the Facebook comments section and there is zero opportunity for a follow-up question. It’s a frustrating exercise, especially when Dillon and Relucio seem to be blaming the problem all on large private social gatherings. They clearly are a part of it and there was a doozy recently, but it takes a week to get an appointment for testing and it’s taking up to 11 days to get results. They have no idea where we are. Tracing is minimal and we’re looking at a snapshot of 3 weeks ago. They seem to think opening up the county to tourism isn’t the issue and yet anyone can take a stroll through the Oxbow Market or downtown and it’s clear, these aren’t people sheltering in place together and many of them aren’t wearing masks. Someone is going to remind me of the email address for reporting violations. Please. What happens? Do you get a finger wag? A real strong pinch? A sneer?

Personally, it seems that a simple $100 fine, if you’re not wearing a mask in public in Napa, would work. I don’t understand why a task force has to be created for that. And for the record, this was an emergency in April. Creating a task force in July is not anything to be proud of.

We should be demanding more. There was every indication that we’d end up right where we are and it’s not a success.

My Collection or Auto-Responses From Diane Dillon Is Growing

Hi! Thanks for writing; I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Due to the high volume of email - and the complete responses I would like to provide and limited time! - there may be some delay in my response. If you are writing about COVID-19 issues (including local stay-at-home (SAH) order(s), please visit the county website www.countyofnapa.org/coronavirus or the State's more expansive website https://covid19.ca.gov/ because your question may be answered at one of those sites before I can respond to you. Lake Berryessa: If you are writing about access to Lake Berryessa, please visit the Bureau of Reclamation website: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa If you need more immediate assistance, please also email Leah.Doyle-Stevens@countyofnapa.org or call her at (707) 254-4154. Thank you!

How many of these would be a normal number?
How much longer should I wait for a response?

If the Supervisor doesn’t answer emails, the option for reaching her should be removed from the county website.

Napa County: I'm Not Sure Who They Answer To But It Sure Isn't Citizens

As a county resident and local business owner, I have been unhappy with the handling of this emergency. Because I own a food company, we’ve been allowed to be open throughout the panic, but the behavior of some local customers and response from the Board of Supervisors has given me enough pause that we’ve closed locally except for pickups. There was an art gallery that opened before it was allowed and there were dozens of reports that Walmart was being a bad neighbor with little control over the situation. I don’t shop there often but I have heard it got better but now it’s back to being sloppy.

I had a hell of a time getting a hold of anyone at the county, even my own supervisor. I finally got Supervisor Wagenknecht who is the supervisor for the district Rancho Gordo is in and after a frustrating conversation, he said, “Steve, what I am hearing you say is that we have to be better about enforcement.”
Yes, that is quite fair to say. As I saw it, there was nothing being done about enforcement.

I have been trying to interview someone from the county who would talk on the record about the handling of the pandemic. I started with phone calls, none of which were returned. June 19 I started with emails. I was told I may or may not get an answer as they were very busy. I agreed to write out questions instead of the requested interview. Nothing. I checked back several times but as of this writing, I’ve heard nothing from Dr. Lucio, is the Deputy Director of HHSA - Public Health Officer or her office. I did have some back and forth with Elizabeth (Mary) Scott, who is the Communications and Public Information Officer for the County of Napa.

Since I can’t get the county to answer the questions I was going to pose, I’ll post them here. You can decide if I’m out of line or we deserve to know the answers. Please ask your county supervisor. These questions were from June 19th, at the request of Elizabeth Scott. I would have several more questions to add now.

1. In general, from the county's perspective, how is the containment of the coronavirus going? 

 2. The mandates seem to be coming from the state, with ordinances from the county. Who's job is enforcement? I ask this because of the art gallery downtown that ignored the mandate (with the encouragement of the vice-Mayor). Is it the county or city that enforces the mandates? 

 3. How has enforcement gone? Aside from the gallery, Walmart was a particularly bad player until things got serious. Who should have enforced that? If enforcement wasn't happening, should there at least have been a warning sign from the Health Department that the business wasn't compliant? 

 4. It seems that mask-wearing is the solution to most of the problems, even more than sheltering in place. Why didn't the county mandate mask-wearing? Whose job was it to mandate it and again, whose job would it be to enforce the mandate? Whose job is it now in Napa, now that the state has mandated it? 

 5. The WHO came out and said that asymptomatic transmissions might be rare, and then walked the claim back the next day. Is it possible that they were correct originally about the rarity of casual transmissions from asymptomatic people? 

6. Why isn't there more of a push for testing in Napa? I've done it twice (once through Kaiser and once through the county/state program) but most people I know have never been tested. Should they? Why aren't county officials and supervisors make more of a fuss or is it really not so important? 

7. (This is a huge one for me) There is a clear push to reopen restaurants and get "back to normal" even though we're not in a much different stage than we were when we were to shelter in place. Is eating at a restaurant really safer than having a few known friends over for dinner? It seems to me that having friends over is much less risky, especially if you limit your circle and greet them at the door with hand sanitizer and take their temperature. 

I can't believe the people in restaurants and wine tasting rooms are all in groups of people they are sheltering with. 

 8. Is there anything else you'd want Napa residents to know? We are getting very mixed messages and there seems to be a lack of leadership. Clearly there is no one voice leading things. It feels as if we're fending for ourselves. What do you want us to know? 

The State of Testing in Napa County

As of today, in Napa, it is taking 7 to 8 days to get test results. Also as of today, you can't book an appointment in Napa or AmCan. (I don't know about Calistoga.)

If you test positive, it is taking two to four days for the county to contact you for tracing.

In San Francisco, you go to Pier 30 and get tested and you have results within 24 hours. In New York, if someone tests positive at a job site, the entire staff is tested and they have results by the end of the day.

Those are facts.

My opinion is that the county is doing a very poor job.

Is this the reputation Napa wants? Is this going to help tourism once the economy reopens?

The Arrogance of the Napa Board of Supervisors During this Pandemic

This is a letter to the editor I wrote to the Napa Valley Register.

The arrogance of the supervisors to ignore their constituents is amazing.

I wrote Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht on 4/29. The supes are voted in by district and most of the action regarding the state mandates are occurring in his district. On 4/30, I got confirmation that the email was forwarded. I have heard nothing since.

I wrote the entire Board of Supervisors on 5/1, addressing Supervisor Diane Dillon, who runs the board now, cc'ing Napa mayor Jill Simmons Techel and City Manager Steve Poter. The only response I received was an excellent document from the mayor (thank you) with a note. I also received an auto-response with a promise to get back to me from Supervisor Dillon but nothing else.

I feel as simple "go to hell, we're too busy" would be better than being ignored. I feel like I've been patient but it's wearing thin. If you don't want your constituents to contact you via email, you need to remove the option from your contact information on the county website, with advice on the best way to be reached. You are busy, but guess what? So are we. You owe this courtesy of a reply.

This is the crux: Who is in charge of making sure the state orders are executed? It seems to me it's the county. You issued the order. You made the decision to add face masks indoors (good for you!) and it seems the buck stops with you. Why is Walmart allowed to ignore the rules? Are you fining them? Are you closing them down? At the very least you should have signs posted that customers enter at their own risk and that the establishment is not following state and county orders. Walmart services some of the most vulnerable members of our community and yet you are ignoring their blatant disregard for our safety.

These are difficult times but just waiting out a problem is the kind of bland, unresponsive leadership that got us into this problem in the first place. I have no doubt it would be more fun to cut ribbons and go to crab feeds than deal with a pandemic but they are asking the world from local residents and businesses and it's time to be bold, clear, and concise right now.

Steve Sando
Rancho Gordo

I will add that I support the county busting Bistro Fume for blatantly disregarding the state and county order but it appears that there are two sets of rules. Let’s protect the wealthy and middle class and let the working class struggle on their own. Walmart services some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Surely they deserve the same protection.

Before you tell me to go to a BOS meeting, I've done it. One is allowed 3 minutes to address the board. It's patronizing and feels futile. Fair or not, it seems as if the decisions are all made well before the public gets involved. I hope I am wrong but when you look at the list of donors to their campaigns, you have to wonder. If I make a nice, big donation, will I get the courtesy of a return email or call?

Opening on the Planning Commission. Why don't you apply?

From the Register: Napa County Planning Commissioner Jeri Hansen steps down

The article notes that there is now an opening on the commission.

People can apply to fill the vacant position. Fifth District Supervisor Belia Ramos will submit a nomination to the Board of Supervisors. The first review of applications will be on March 13. Applicants can live anywhere in the county.

Go to https://bit.ly/2HAlpfz for more information and an application. Call 253-4421 with questions.

A Conversation with Amber Manfree, Candidate for Supervisor, District 4

I would like you to meet Amber Manfree. She's running for Supervisor in District 4 but her science background and understanding of local politics make this a must-hear interview for concerned residents in the city and county. You also get to hear me vent, which is very much like music to the ears. 🤪

Supervisor Pedroza was invited to do the same interview but declined.

For more information about Amber Manfree for Supervisor, visit her website.

A Quick Welcome

I am not a politician or a policy wonk.

I don't want to have to study ordinances or listen to spin.

I want my politicians to have my best interests front and center.

I remember the anger of the young people at the great gun control rally at Napa High after the Parkland shootings. The kids were not taking any crap or lame excuses.

We don't want to hear about how hard it is. We want smart people with solutions.

That's the premise for this site/podcast.