Outlook
Recommendation for Adam Nugent - City of San Mateo Planning Commission From Gene Alston <
Date Tue 5/6/2025 11:27 AM
To Clerk < [email protected]>
Cc City Council (San Mateo) « [email protected]> Dear City Council Members,
I wholeheartedly recommend Adam Nugent for re-appointment to the San Mateo Planning Commission.
Adam brings a rare combination of service, leadership, and independent thinking that would greatly benefit the city during a period of critical planning and growth.
A veteran of the United States military, Adam has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service and civic duty. His involvemed proach, principled foundation, and mission-oriented mindset are evident in every aspect orhis communiy Adam's military service reflects a deep commitment to public duty—a value I share as a fellow Veteran-and one that is urgently needed in our civic institutions.
Adam is also a thoughtful and independent voice—willing to ask tough questions, engage diverse perspectives, and prioritize long-term community outcomes over short-term political considerations. He approaches planning decisions with a balanced perspective that respects both individual property rights and the broader needs of San Mateo's future.
I urge his re-appointment and am confident he will continue to serve the City of San Mateo and all of its community well.
Best,
Gene Alston
Baywood Resident
Outlook
Adam Nugent
From Lloyd Anderson <
Date Wed 5/7/2025 4:20 PM
To City Council (San Mateo) < [email protected]> Please do not have Adam Nugent on the planning commission I do not trust him Sent from my iPhone
ok Outlook
Please NO Adam Nugent
From Leonora Ching
Date Wed 5/7/2025 4:54 PM
To City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Dear City Council,
Please do not reappoint Adam Newsom to the Planning Commission. His ongoing actions have created controversy and distrust, and he has lost the respect of San Mateo residents, staff and general City government. San Mateo has many challenges. Effective management requires coordination and trust to work successfully. Mr. Newsom is no longer trusted, has lost respect and credibility and can no longer effectively hold the seat.
Please select someone else from other qualified candidates.
Respectfully, Leonora Yih
•k Outlook
Recommending Dr. Vikash
From Irena Mavridis
Date Wed 5/7/2025 4:14 PM
To City Council (San Mateo) < [email protected]> I want to highly recommend Dr. Vikash Bhagwandin for the role of Planning Commissioner.
Dr. Vikash is a long time San Mateo resident and has show time and again to be dedicated to the safety, wellness and best outcomes of the San Mateo community and beyond.
His scientific research background coupled with his commitment and drive to helping make San Mateo the best place to live where everyone can thrive would make him an ideal Commissioner.
I feel he would bring much needed balance and expertise to the Planning Commission and look forward to seeing him in this role.
Sincerely,
Irena Mavridis
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Outlook
Opposition to Reappointing Adam Nugent
From Thomas Morgan || ‹
Date Wed 5/7/2025 7:28 PM
To City Council (San Mateo) < [email protected]> Dear City Council
I am writing in opposition to reappointing Adam Nugent to the Planning Commission. During his ime on the Planning Commission, he has repeatedly shown misconduct and acted against th nterest of the City of San Mateo and its residents
The first incident was during an election when he engaged in Sign Gate by taking it upon himself to remove signs that he felt were incorrectly placed the right thing to do would to be email the City and have staff determine if the sign was incorrectly placed or not, and then City Staff could have proceeded to remove the sign or not.
The second event was when Mr. Nugent emailed HCD from his City email account to voice his opinion on the City's Housing Element. It would have been done from his personal account. By the email coming from the City, it gives his voice a little more weight being associated with the City. Mr. Nugent's comments were his own and did not represent those of the City or its residents. Unfortunately, the Housing Element was rejected twice and required the City to spend additional funds we sure could use now with our looming deficits.
If Mr. Nugent wants to be an activist he is welcome to do so as a private citizen, not from the dais as a Planning Commission.
Again, I urge you not to reappoint Mr. Nugent.
Thank you,
Thomas Morgan
San Mateo
Outlook
Support of Vikash Bhagwandin for San Mateo Planning Commissioner From Jennifer Pacholuk
Date Wed 5/7/2025 5:50 PM
To City Council (San Mateo) < [email protected]> Dear San Mateo City Council,
We want to support Vikash Bhagwandin's pursuit to become a Planning Commissioner for the City of San Mateo.
Vikash was born in District #2 and moved to District #4 in 1979. This contributes to the breadth and depth of his knowledge of the City of San Mateo, including ordinances and zoning regulations. Vikash knows how to research and understand complex documents and plans. He also engages collaboratively with members of the community and understands the needs of SaN Mateo residents. Lastly, he is a cancer biologist and has a good understanding of health and environmental issues. In summary, we believe Vikash is well qualified for this position and would be :
valuable addition to the San Mateo Planning Commission
Sincerely,
Jenny & Tony Pacholuk
ok Outlook
Vikash Bhagwandin
From Kelly Ryerson <
Date Wed 5/7/2025 5:21 PM
To City Council (San Mateo) < [email protected]> Hello -
As most of you know, I worked with Vikash for over a year in the No Cell Outs campaign, and found him to be a key teammate in our work. He is extremely smart, dynamic, and professional. Perhaps most importantly, he really loves San Mateo and wants to see it continue to thrive.
I hope that you will consider him for a position on the Planning Commission. San Mateo would be better off with him on the team!
Best,
Kelly Ryerson
Outlook
Planning Commissioner Selection
From United San Mateo <
Date Wed 5/7/2025 2:18 PM
To Rob Newsom < [email protected]>; Adam Loraine <[email protected]>; Danielle Cwirko-Godycki <[email protected]>; Nicole Fernandez < [email protected]> Cc City Council (San Mateo) < [email protected]> Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
As a resident and business owner in the City of San Mateo, I am requesting that you do not renew Adam Nugent's term for the Planning Commission. As with all city leadership, I believe it is important for commissioners to maintain the highest level of ethics and integrity. Adam's past conduct is ample evidence that he does not respect his position, the City Council, the city staff, and residents. He has detrimentally circumvented our city council and the work of city staff. Additionally, the SMPD found "sufficient criminal evidence" in his tampering of political campaign signs.
It is vital for the City Council to hold commissioners to a high level of ethics and integrity. This ensures that leadership decisions are made in the best interest of all San Mateans and not just a select few.
Commissioner terms are meant to encourage participation across the city and allow an infusion of perspectives. It is not meant to renew and maintain those who are self-serving and damaging to the city. I encourage you to use this opportunity to select an individual who is empathetic, respectful, and educated in their approach.
Respectfully,
Marlene Tam
Outlook
URGENT: Tonight's Planning Commission Selection
From Lisa Vande Voorde <
Date Wed 5/7/2025 4:38 PM
To Rob Newsom <[email protected]>; Adam Loraine <[email protected]>; Danielle Cwirko-Godycki <[email protected]>; Nicole Fernandez < [email protected]> Clerk <[email protected]>
Dear Mayor Newsom, Deputy Mayor Loraine, Council Member Cwirko-Godycki and Council Member Fernandez:
I'm writing to you because very shortly you will have the task of interviewing several candidates who have applied for open seats on the Planning Commission. I understand that Adam Nugent is one of the candidates, as he is re-applying for another four-year term. And I have some very real concerns about him.
Back in 2022, Mr. Nugent sent a letter to HCD essentially undermining the City's efforts in getting its housing plan approved by the state. Later that same year, Nugent was caught removing our now Mayor Newsom's campaign signs when Newsom was running for City Council against a candidate that Nugent supported.
There has to be consequences for behavior like this, and Adam Nugent should NOT be rewarded with another term on the Planning Commission.
Furthermore, I've witnessed way too much bias by members of our currently-seated Planning Commission. I encourage you to weed out activist applicants who cannot put their biases aside for the best interest of our City. People like this, including Nugent, should never be near the levers of power. To them, the ends justify the means (stealing signs or writing HCD to tank our Housing Element for example).
And if you're not with them ideologically, you're either just flat-out wrong, or racist, or too old to matter. We need reasonable, ethical people on the Planning Commission who aren't in cahoots with developers and special interests, or caught up in extreme ideological movements, and who will set their personal leanings ASIDE in favor of what's BEST for the City of San Mateo.
As you assess tonight's candidates and make your final selection, I hope you'll stress each applicant's objectivity and commitment to the community.
Sincerely yours,
Lisa Vande Voorde
San Mateo Resident