BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
When Forest Peterson applied to Palo Alto City Council to reappoint him to the planning commission earlier this year, he had one of his employees sign a letter endorsing him for the position.
And the letter, which also had the signatures of other California Avenue businesses, went to council just before they voted on filling vacancies on the commission.
At the time, Peterson was under investigation for allegedly trying to get special treatment from a tow yard owner.
The employee, “Liesel,” said he’s a quality assurance tester for Peterson’s company, Palo Alto Data Group.
“Peterson has demonstrated genuine engagement with our business corridor,” Liesel said. “His technical expertise and hands-on approach to understanding our needs as business owners is exactly what this commission requires.” Liesel didn’t give a last name and said Palo Alto Data Group uses a virtual address by California Avenue.
Liesel said Peterson “listens to our concerns about street maintenance, pedestrian access and infrastructure improvements that directly affect our livelihoods.”
Liesel sent the letter to council on March 2 to support Peterson’s re-appointment to the Planning and Transportation Commission.
Business owners at Terun, Protege, Naschmarkt and Cafe Pro Bono and an employee at California Avenue Norge also signed letters supporting Peterson.
Akif Ayden, owner of Cafe Pro Bono, said on a phone call that he endorsed Peterson because he’s personable, humble and listens to business owners.
Peterson hasn’t returned a request for comment since Wednesday.
Resident Fred Balin reviewed the letters after hearing Peterson was under investigation for allegedly using his official position to try to get a discount on a tow.
‘Highly unusual’
Balin said it’s “highly unusual” for commissioners to solicit letters supporting their re-appointment, especially at the last minute.
A clerk sent the letters and a memo to council at Peterson’s request on March 2, the same day council decided who to interview out of 11 candidates.
A week later, City Manager Ed Shikada hired an attorney for $50,000 to investigate the tow yard owner’s complaint against Peterson.
Peterson allegedly suggested that he could “change the rules” and said he had police friends who would agree with him.
“His repeated invocation of his role appeared intended to influence the outcome of a private commercial matter in his favor,” the tow yard owner said in a complaint.
Peterson was given his chance
Councilman Pat Burt said he tried to give Peterson an opportunity to respond to the investigation during an interview on March 22, but Peterson “was unresponsive and even deceptive.”
“The public has a right to know the facts and understand what the council knew when we made the appointment,” Burt said in an interview.
The attorney’s report was sent to council on April 7 but hasn’t been released to the public.
Four council members — Vicki Veenker, George Lu, Greer Stone and Julie Lythcott-Haims — voted to reappoint Peterson on April 13.
“I did not believe there was a sufficient basis to conclude there had been an abuse of position, so I voted for the incumbents,” Veenker said in an interview last week.
Burt and Councilman Keith Reckdahl said they were surprised to see a majority pick Peterson.
“We were supplied the same report, and I simply don’t understand how (Veenker) came to the conclusion that she claimed,” Burt said.
Balin said Friday that the full report should be released to the public. He said the tow yard owner’s complaint “is measured, respectful and believable.”
Balin was partially responsible for the city creating a handbook for commissioners after another controversy in November 2017.
Alcheck controversy
Commissioner Michael Alcheck participated in a discussion about rules for carports and garages at the same time he was awaiting city approval to convert carports into garages at two of his houses.
Balin said Alcheck had a conflict of interest, but Alcheck said he checked with the city attorney before participating in the discussion.
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