Like many, we were startled and disturbed by Morgan Hill City Councilman Mark Grzan's announcement that he's running for re-election.
We weren't concerned about the content of Grzan's announcement but about the time and place: Grzan announced his decision to seek another term from the dais in a report during a City Council meeting.
"... I am asking your support to continue the good work we have begun and support my candidacy for re-election," Grzan said during a five-minute speech at last week's meeting.
It's an unprecedented move: City Clerk Irma Torrez reports that a review of minutes for the last 18 years reveals that no other incumbent has announced a re-election bid during a council report.
Spirit of ethics important
If that speech isn't a breach of the letter of city ethics policy, it's certainly a breach of its spirit.
Among those who've criticized Grzan's from-the-dais campaign speech is Councilman Greg Sellers. Sellers rightly noted that City Council meetings are reserved for conducting city business, not for campaigning, and that by using his time at the dais to ask for votes, Grzan was taking unfair advantage of his incumbent status.
We're forced to wonder if the city will be compelled to give all City Council candidates equal time at an upcoming City Council meeting.
Judgment matters
Grzan was dismissive of criticism of his from-the-dais campaign speech, saying that he didn't "give a hoot."
That reaction compounds our distress. Grzan's from-the-dais campaign speech reeks of poor judgment, and his glib dismissal of legitimate criticism is insulting to Morgan Hill residents whose business he is supposed to be conducting during City Council meetings.
So far, four other candidates have announced their intention to seek two seats that will be on the November ballot: Councilman Larry Carr, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Marilyn Librers, businessman Nathan Benich and Shawn Tacklind. Candidates have until Aug. 8 to file papers to run.
Grzan's from-the-dais campaign speech legitimizes questions about his judgment and his understanding of ethics; he should expect to hear more questions on these topics as the campaign progresses.
If Grzan hopes to put this blunder behind him, he needs to give a hoot. More than that, he needs to apologize and find a way to demonstrate that he understands the difference between personal business - campaigning - and city business.
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