CC 09-06-2023 Item No. 7 Review of Councilmember compliance with Municipal Code Chapter 2.17_Late CommunicationsCC 09-06-2023
Item #7
Councilmember Chao's
statement
Written Communications
From:Liang Chao
To:City Clerk
Subject:My statement for agenda Item 7
Date:Wednesday, September 6, 2023 11:35:45 PM
Please enter my statement for written communication and the meeting minutes for this
Council meeting.
=========
The Civil Grand Jury Report heavily leaned on undisclosed anonymous interviews, a
practice that has significant shortcomings by allowing numerous inaccuracies to be
included without any cross examination or corroborating evidence. In my own interaction
with the Civil Grand Jury, I diligently raised concerns and provided materials via email
correspondence. However, my inputs were selectively excluded from their final report.
Consequently, it is evident that the report lacks the balanced and factual representation that
is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
The Daube Report, despite its label as a "Fact Finding Report," lacks any substantiated
facts or references to support its claims. Instead, the Daube Report contains a compilation
of biased anonymous opinions put forth by Ms. Daube, devoid of any accompanying
transcripts for cross-examination or verification, thus preventing the possibility of a
balanced assessment. Expert opinions are valued only if they are supported by solid
evidence.
One notable revelation from the Daube Report is its inability to unearth any evidence of
Municipal Code violations involving current or former Council members.The Santa Clara
County Deputy District Attorney Mr. John Chase of the Public Integration Unit agreed that
there is no evidence of any Muni Code violation.
However, it is regrettable that the report has achieved a different kind of success: the
creation of a hostile city government in our city. The consequences of the Daube Report
are not limited to Council members; they extend to the Cupertino residents we have sworn
to serve. The act of stifling questions from Council members is fundamentally opposed to
principles of transparency and accountability. Similarly, quashing dissenting voices under
the guise of efficiency is a direct assault on the foundations of democracy.
It is my strong belief that this report and the associated agenda item run counter to
democratic values, due process, and the principles of good governance. Most importantly,
they do a disservice to the residents of Cupertino, whom we are duty-bound to represent.
Every voice should be respected and valued. It is concerning that the staff report
labels certain voices as "unrepresentative," reflecting a troubling pattern in our city of
disrespecting Cupertino residents who take the time to attend Council meetings. They
are merely exercising their rights to hold their government, funded by their hard-
earned taxpayer dollars, accountable.
With a heavy heart and in full recognition of my responsibility towards Cupertino residents, I
must abstain from participating in any deliberation concerning this agenda item, which is a
disservice to our community and a discredit to the principles of democracy. As a
gesture of protest against the ongoing attempts to undermine our democracy and the
misuse of valuable Council meeting time to create a hostile environment for Cupertino
residents and their elected representatives. I am leaving the dais, with the hope that we
can collectively make genuine efforts towards a more respectful and transparent future for
our city and its residents.
I encourage my fellow Councilmembers who genuinely wish to create a collaborative and
respectful working relationship to join me to oppose any discussion based on the biased
Daube Report.
Liang Chao
Council Member
City Council
LChao@cupertino.org
408-777-3192
CC 09-06-2023
Item #7
Review of Councilmember
compliance with
Municipal Code Chapter
2.17
Written Communications
From:Tessa Parish
To:Hung Wei; Liang Chao; J.R. Fruen; Kitty Moore; Sheila Mohan; City Clerk
Subject:Council member Moore & Chao-Commission reinstatement
Date:Wednesday, September 6, 2023 6:43:00 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Honorable Mayor, Vice Mayor & Council members,
I would like to request that my elected officials, Council member Chao &
Councilmember Moore, be reinstated to their corresponding commissions. I don't feel
that removing them was relevant to what they were being accused of doing when they
were removed. It felt like a random "punishment" and not at all a representation of
the quality of their work on the commissions. They were doing a fabulous job and
should be allowed to continue their work. On the dias the 3 member majority decide
what happens with almost little to no discussion to the topics or questions the either
Councilmember Chao or Councilmember Moore bring up. I don't feel represented on
the dais nor on the commissions. I feel like the majority have removed my
representation.
I believe it is your job to run the city with a sense of equity for representation of all
residents. I don't feel represented if my elected officials are not in as many
commissions as you are.
Please reinstate them to their respective commissions.
Best Regards,
Tessa Parish
resident of Cupertino for 11 yrs