CA: Gonzales kept council in dark on garbage deal

Mercury News ^ | 10/14/04 | Op/Ed

[NormsRevenge]

Three weeks ago, San Jose's city council got its latest big-ticket surprise from Mayor Ron Gonzales -- this time, an additional $11.7 million he said was needed for the city's garbage hauler to pay higher labor costs the company didn't expect when it submitted its low bid.

Here's what Gonzales didn't tell his colleagues. In order to keep the contract with eventual winner Norcal on track, the mayor's office offered Norcal assurances of his support for higher compensation than the contract would call for. This promise was made not years later, as the mayor has said, but before the council even voted to accept Norcal's bid on Oct. 10, 2000.

---snip---

All of this comes on the heels of a $45 million surprise for extra costs for the new City Hall, which the mayor's office also knew about months before the rest of the council. But the Norcal promise is more egregious because Gonzales' office was an unofficial party to the deal and failed to disclose it. It's the latest illustration of the lack of candor and deteriorating relationships between the now-lame duck mayor and an increasingly skeptical council.

[NormsRevenge]

Looks like Ron is well-positioned to move up down the political ladder .. and none to soon.

[Simmy2.5]

One corruption scheme after another. All well, if this means Ron will be gone, that'll be fine.