Subcommittee proposes five for citizens advisory committee amid district representation concerns

The Woodside Town Council convened on July 8, 2025, to address key issues surrounding the composition of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The meeting focused on the recommendations made by a selection subcommittee, which proposed five individuals for appointment: Julie Saquera, Carly Rivera, Vanessa Johnson, Daniel Drucker, and Steve Patrick. However, the process was marred by concerns regarding representation from all town districts.

Mayor Pro Tem Gold expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, highlighting that two districts—represented by Council Members Brown and Abarish—had no members on the CAC. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that each district is represented, a principle he believed was central to the committee's formation. Gold noted that he had received numerous emails from residents expressing similar concerns about the lack of representation.

The subcommittee's deliberations lasted nearly two hours, but they struggled to reach a consensus on including representatives from each district. Gold pointed out that while some selections were straightforward, others were contentious, leading to a final list that did not meet the initial goal of district representation. He suggested that the council could modify the list as they saw fit, indicating that adjustments could be made to address the oversight.

Council Member Brown raised questions about the corrected list, confirming that it still did not include representatives from all districts. This lack of representation was a significant point of contention, as the council members discussed the implications of having one district unrepresented on a committee tasked with overseeing important town projects.

The meeting concluded with a recognition of the need for further deliberation on the CAC appointments. Council members acknowledged the challenges faced during the selection process and the importance of ensuring that all districts have a voice in the advisory committee. The council plans to revisit the recommendations and consider modifications to achieve a more balanced representation moving forward.