Thursday, July 15, 2010

War Makes for Strange Bedfellows: Suncal Opposition David Howard and Alameda City Manager Ann Marie Gallant

It’s a bit hypocritical that HIRED CITY EMPLOYEE Ann Marie Gallant is putting VOLUNTEER ELECTED OFFICIAL City Councilmember Lena Tam under Alameda DA investigation, when she exhibits the exact same behavior for which she is accusing Tam.


Ms. Gallant forgot to delete a revealing conversation between her and Mr. David Howard before forwarding it on through the E-mail chain. In this conversation, she shared Alameda Point development information with Howard, self-appointed spokesperson for Save Our City!, the principle Alameda Point project opposition.

This looks like someone pointing a finger at another person and crying foul when the accuser has done the same thing. As she is leading the posse to prosecute Lena Tam, Ms. Gallant hypocritically took the same actions behind closed doors (or should I say in deleted E-mails) when she is supposed to be acting objectively and dealing on the Alameda Point matter without bias.

It appears that Gallant is trying to cover her tracks by hiding behind the city’s 30-day E-mail deletion policy. The excuse is that this policy is necessary due to “limited server capacity.” However, there are always two copies of an E-mail: the E-mail sent and the E-mail received. If the City of Alameda chooses to not archive its E-mails for a minimum of two years unlike many other government agencies that do comply with the California Secretary of State’s recommendations, then the prosecution can still look for received E-mails beyond the City server, like the E-mail chain below. In this way, there is still evidence that Gallant has been sharing information with the opposition, just as Lena Tam is accused of sharing information with Suncal and others. Perhaps more forensic results of Gallant’s “deleted” E-mails are yet to come?

The information which Gallant provides is incriminating.

Gallant specifically writes to Howard, “You’re right; no comment (referring to how a document was leaked) ….SMILE…we will send you my op ed too so you can get it on your site…TX”

Howard replies, “I understand if you don’t want to comment on who or how it got out … Dave.”

Gallant then writes as part of a lengthy response, “If you want the June 30, 2009 ARRA audit, just call Dorey at 4887 in Finance and tell her I said it was OK to give you a copy via pdf. She will send it to you… AMG”

Mr. Howard replies in part, “Where is the ARRA annual report for FY 2008-2009? I thought it was due in December? Is Leslie Little dragging her heels on that because she doesn’t want to upset SunCal’s messaging over the “$14 million” in costs to maintain the base?”

Gallant’s actions are outrageous. Let’s take a stand for open government and get corrupt officials out of office. Gallant’s “do as I say, not as I do” line of thinking is an unacceptable double standard.

Read on for the full E-mail chain.


1 comment:

  1. Gallant is being unbelievably hypocritical. While she and Howard secretly corresponded, the interim city manager herself probably couldn't resist leaking privileged and confidential information. No wonder Howard puts on such holier-than-thou airs when blogging his bent truths and disinformation: He thinks his connection to Gallant entitles him to certain protections and privileges. For once, maybe he's right.

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