The Cupertino Courier

News

Resignation leaves spot open on city commission

Assembly race full of choices

Recently appointed Senior Citizens Commission member Steve Stone resigned because he found the conflict of interest reporting requirements of the position too cumbersome. The city of Cupertino has posted an announcement of the vacancy.

The application deadline is March 25. The city council will conduct interviews April 1.

Stone stated in his resignation letter that he was not aware of the restrictions on gifts that a commissioner would be allowed to receive when he applied for the position.

The restrictions would prevent Stone from staying at friends' vacation homes for free, according to his resignation letter. Stone said he is unwilling to forego accepting such gifts to be an unpaid commissioner.

Stone also said he will continue to attend meetings of the senior citizens commission to raise issues that he considers important.

Mayor Dolly Sandoval said Stone's resignation will not affect the fate of the commission. The city council on Feb. 4 considered disbanding the commission for two reasons: First, since the city is not a social services agency, the commission cannot directly give help to senior residents. And secondly, issues involving seniors often enter other commissions' agendas. The council decided to keep the commission and review its status in a year.

"It's unfortunate that we had a commissioner who chose not to be appointed because of the mandatory state disclosure paperwork," said Sandoval. "But I still feel the commission has a lot of value. I look forward to receiving applications in March."

Sandoval added that she would suggest the city staff incorporate information about the necessary paperwork for a commissioner's position into the application process.

To apply for the commission vacancy, visit www.cupertino.org/vacancies.