BY DAVE PRICE
Daily Post Editor
You won’t be allowed to watch a video stream of the hearings on whether San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus should keep her job.
Retired Santa Clara County Judge James Emerson, who is serving as the hearing officer in these proceedings, has said that people can observe the hearing in person if they want to go to the Hall of Justice, 400 County Center, Redwood City, in Courtroom 2M on the second floor.
But he has denied a request by the Daily Post to televise the hearings, though he will allow still photography.
I’m disappointed with his ruling because Corpus has claimed all along that all of her accusers — and it’s a list of more than 40 people — are liars. She says she’s the only one telling the truth. With video, people can judge for themselves who is telling the truth.
Allowing the public to watch the proceedings would have promoted transparency in the removal process. San Mateo County’s charter previously didn’t allow the Board of Supervisors to replace the sheriff. But voters in March approved a temporary change in the charter to allow the supervisors to remove her. It passed overwhelmingly, 84-16%, which says to me that the public has a strong interest in watching these proceedings.
On the other hand, if Corpus is being railroaded by the “Good Old Boys” network, as she has often claimed, that will come out in the hearings, too. If she believes in her case, she ought to be insisting that these hearings are seen by as many people as possible.
In fact, she said in a July 24 letter, “The people of San Mateo County deserve to hear the truth directly, not filtered through political agendas, biased narratives, erroneous reports, or closed-door deliberations.”
She concluded her letter by saying, “Let the public see the facts. Let them hear the truth. …”
Editor Dave Price’s column appears on Mondays in the Daily Post.
I agree 100% with you Dave, the hearing should have been streamed or at least made available a short time later (maybe to redact some super confidential info). Corpus and the County claim to want a transparent process but don’t deliver in the end. Not everyone is capable of traveling to the courthouse to be in the courtroom.
Dave should do a follow up article on the costs of all this has placed on the taxpayers of the County. Attorney fees, law suits, settlements, investigations, ballot, voting, etc. I’m sure we would be horrified the money being spent. If I had to throw a dart, I bet over $100 million will be spent.
Dave thanks for the good and fair articles.
Thank you Dave.
100000000000000% AGREE!