There is a time and purpose for anonymity. Our Citizens Voice
column is there for those in the county who cannot identify
themselves without fear of retribution, but who still want to have
their opinions heard.
A recent investigation into San Benito County government,
specifically Supervisor Richard Scagliotti, and a related lawsuit
came from a nameless group that calls itself
”
Los Valientes.
”
It means
”
Brave Ones
”
in Spanish.
There is a time and purpose for anonymity. Our Citizens Voice column is there for those in the county who cannot identify themselves without fear of retribution, but who still want to have their opinions heard.
A recent investigation into San Benito County government, specifically Supervisor Richard Scagliotti, and a related lawsuit came from a nameless group that calls itself “Los Valientes.”
It means “Brave Ones” in Spanish.
Well, now it is time for the so-called brave ones to come out of hiding and identify themselves.
There are several reasons why.
As exclusively reported in Thursday’s Free Lance, the Fair Political Practices Commission is actively looking into some of the claims in the investigation’s report.
That’s what their job is and we are glad they’re in town following up on some of the allegations. This is a government body free of local political ties, pay backs and vendettas.
We expect a fair evaluation and will learn of and report on any subsequent penalties if warranted. The FPPC has been in San Benito County before and acted with professionalism and integrity.
So now that it’s in the hands of a reputable and trustworthy government agency, why not come out of hiding?
The accompanying lawsuit would certainly have more merit if there were names associated with it.
How much of a realistic chance does it have to advance in the legal system or be treated as a worthy pursuit if there are no names attached to it, other than the lawyer representing the group? Not much.
There is also reputation damage being done to those wrongly accused of being part of Los Valientes. This is not a time for vicious guessing games when the future of San Benito County is at stake.
The Growth Control Initiative, Measure G, is on the ballot for next March and we believe it should be voted on.
Two pending lawsuits, including this one from Los Valientes, are threatening to knock it off the ballot and wrongly take the decision away from the honest and educated voters of San Benito County.
But the recently released investigation and report has raised some very serious questions about our local county government and how it has been operating. The FPPC will sort out that end of it and, again, we have faith in its expertise and integrity.
But the lawsuit that is attached will be a bad joke without those behind it revealing their identities.
It is time for members of Los Valientes to live up to their self-proclaimed motto and be brave enough to identify themselves.
The sooner, the better at this point for the good of San Benito County and its future.
