Randy Torrijos (candidate for appointment) responds to Watch Dog's inquiry...

We all know that the departure of former Supervisor/Assemblymember Jerry Hill has set off serious political scrambling throughout the County. Unelected Supervisor Carole Groom was seated earlier this week. Now, attention shifts to the San Mateo City Council seat which will also be (undemocratically) decided by appointment.

Yesterday, Watch Dog asked the following question about Randy Torrijos, a staffer for Supervisor Mark Church, who is putting his name into the San Mateo City Council appointment ring:

Because he works for Supervisor Church, whose vote on the Board of Supervisors opened up the seat in San Mateo, did Torrijos push for Groom to be appointed to open up a seat that he wanted?

I promised I would get an answer for you inquiring readers...and I delivered. Below is an answer to that question from Randy Torrijos himself -- via email, unedited:

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Dear Watchdog,

To answer your questions: No, I did not advise my boss to appoint Carole Groom to the vacant Board of Supervisors seat, nor did I express any support for Carol Groom's appointment to other staff members or Board members.

I had originally considered pursuing a city council seat in November of 2009 or 2010. When the vacancy on the City Council arose upon Carol Groom’s appointment on December 16^th, I considered applying for the seat, and attended the December 19th City Council Meeting where they discussed the selection process for the city council vacancy. December 19th was the first and only time I discussed my possible application to the city council with my boss. It was not until after Christmas that I made a final decision to submit my application, which I did on January 2nd.

I hope this information clarifies the matter for you.

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Thank you Randy, it does clarify the matter a great deal...