Conflicts of Interest?

We all know John Rubin of Peninsula Coalition fame. Well here is an article from the San Mateo Times about his "historian" project:

Documenting his affiliations - Resident fears filmmaker's history movie would be biased

They say history is written by the victors. But one San Mateo County history lover said county officials would be taking that idea one step too far if they hire the director of a pro-business lobbying group to produce a Ken Burns-style documentary about the county's history. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is set to vote today on a $75,000 grant toward the film project, a proposed collaboration between the San Mateo County Historical Association, filmmaker John Rubin and KM2 Communications of South San Francisco. But Dana Smith of Daly City is urging supervisors to reject the grant because of Rubin's role as the president of the Peninsula Coalition.

In 2004, the coalition of business and labor groups raised money to support two ballot measures: a half-cent sales tax for transportation countywide and the waterfront development of Marina Shores Village in Redwood City, according to election records. Smith, who volunteers with local history groups, questions whether Rubin can give an unbiased view of the county's history, given his political ties. She also questions whether the grant would pose a conflict of interest. "Having someone, a lobbyist for large corporations, wanting to use public funds and use the organization of the county museum for what sounds like commercial PR ... that's not acceptable," Smith said. But Rubin defended his ability to be objective and said the documentary project is separate from his work with the coalition. "Our job is to tell the story as truthfully and straightforwardly as we can. There is no bias of any kind. It's a sacred trust that we take very, very seriously," he said. The film would focus on the county's post-World War II transition from a sleepy agricultural community to a worldwide center for industry and technology. Rubin has said he plans to intersperse interviews with local entrepreneurs, housing developers and historians.

Historical Association President Mitch Postel said he would oversee the film project for accuracy and has no qualms about Rubin's ability to fairly recount the last 150 years of county history. "I don't think anybody is going to be completely unbiased," Postel said. "(Rubin) is capable of recognizing the need to have a balance." Supervisor Mark Church said he seeks an opinion from the County Counsel's office on Smith's contention that the grant would pose a conflict of interest if supervisors received the support of the Peninsula Coalition.

The Peninsula Coalition did not raise money specifically for any supervisors' campaigns, according to its most recent campaign finance records through June. Another possible conflict is the business relationship between Supervisor Adrienne Tissier and Rubin at the Daly City public relations firm Bay Relations, Smith said. Tissier, former CEO of the firm, said Rubin left the company about two years ago, and said she has divested herself of any financial interest so that she wouldn't have any conflicts with her work as a supervisor. Tissier and Supervisors President Jerry Hill both said Monday that Smith's objections haven't shaken their confidence in the project. "I don't think you can change history. I think you just report history," Tissier said. Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson said she was surprised to learn about the concerns Monday about what she had thought was a good request. "I was focusing more on the fact that this would be a documentary for the county, and not necessarily any politics," she said. Supervisor Richard Gordon said he had not yet made up his mind about the grant. "I like the idea of the documentary. I like the concept. I just have questions about how they chose. Have they got the right person to do the job?" Gordon said.

Hmmmm!

- Written by Fiona

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Update from the Daily Journal:

The Board of Supervisors gave the green light Tuesday to help fund a documentary on the history of San Mateo County, calling it a good opportunity to teach residents about its colorful 150-year past. The board unanimously agreed to give the project $75,000 as long as the San Mateo County Historical Association ponies up the difference. The cost of completing a 30- to 60-minute video is between $100,000 and $200,000. Jack Olsen, co-chair of the county's committee to celebrate the sesquicentennial, said the group is ready to actively seek the extra money along with funds to reproduce the video.Supervisor Jerry Hill, who proposed the grant along with Supervisor Adrienne Tissier, suggested copying the finished video and distributed the copies to schools, nonprofits and citizens. The video will be produced by Jon Rubin and KM2 Communications of South San Francisco. Rubin is currently shooting footage for three exhibit galleries at the historical museum and much can be used in the full-length feature, said Mitch Postel, director of the county's historical association. As proposed, the video will highlight the county's history from its rural roots through the post World War II boom to today's spectacular economic and social diversity,? according to the report by Hill and Tissier.

The video is expected to be unveiled Dec. 9 at the sesquicentennial's signature event slated for the Fox Theater. The documentary will then become a permanent feature at the museum. It's always appropriate to try to understand our history but in no year can it be more appropriate than this year, our sesquicentennial year,? Postel said. The association will monitor the film's production and will not sign off on any product that doesn't meet historical accuracy, Postel said. Before the board voted on the resolution, Supervisor Mark Church brushed off any idea of a conflict with hiring Rubin to complete the project. One county resident last week asked the board to reconsider because of Rubin's political work. Rubin is CEO and president of the Peninsula Coalition, a local political action group that includes members from labor, business and the community

[Casey]

Jon Rubin's partner on this film is Kevin Mullin. Is this Gene Mullin's son?

Yes

There have been at least two or three more letters about this issue as it seems many of us think "there is something rotten in the State of Denmark".

[Andrienne Tissier is a friend of Rubin and Mullin too]

And let's not forget that Jon Rubin and Supervisor Adrienne Tissier were business partners in Bay Area Relations not too long ago. Hence the connections. This should have been put out to bid.

Both Kevin Mullin and Jon Rubin are founding members and on the board of directors of Peninsula Coalition.

[Casey]

Is this something the San Mateo Grand Jury can investigate? How can an objective documentary about San Mateo County be done by political insiders?

And why didn't this project go out to bid? Both Kevin Mullin's company (KM2 Communications) and Jon Rubin's company are heavily tied to local politicians and political campaigns.