Letter: It's the messenger, not the message

Councilmember Scott Robbins continues to engage in conduct unbecoming an elected official serving the people of South Lake Tahoe.

He routinely deletes social media posts from citizens he disagrees with. This is a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices and create an echo chamber devoid of different perspectives. Our elected officials should allow open discourse - even if they don’t agree or like the comment. Deleting comments from the public square is anti-democratic and unethical for an elected official.

He monopolizes the City Council agenda and uses City resources to prepare reports that serve little purpose other than to give himself a platform to bloviate and pontificate ready-made speeches that are quickly clipped for social media.

Perhaps most troubling is his habit of punching down at those who criticize him. From small business owners to senior citizens to fellow Councilmembers, no one is off limits from his vitriol and insults. He recently interrupted a conversation I was having with someone else to lecture me about what I wrote in a prior op-ed. He has called other councilmembers cowards. He has created an atmosphere of divisiveness that is tearing our community apart.

Let me be very clear - I separate the positions from the person. I respect those who share his views on the proposed vacancy tax, the TOT tax increase, $23 minimum wage, deed-restricted affordable housing policy, and other initiatives he has championed, even though I disagree with them. It is fine to have a healthy, open debate on how to make the City a better place. The problem is the messenger, not the message.

We deserve leaders who bring us together and make decisions through intelligent discourse - not Machiavellian manipulation. Mr. Robbins is a smart person, but he isn’t interested in listening to constituents beyond his bubble, compromise or governing. He is nothing more than a braggart and a grandstander with middling skills in graphic design and social media.
While he is not on the ballot this November (barring a recall campaign), his support or endorsement should serve as a scarlet letter for anyone who seeks it. Regardless of your political persuasion, we should not elect any more politicians who act like Mr. Robbins.

Seth Dallob is the Chief Operating Officer of NexGen Housing Partners (www.nexgenhp.com), a leading company in transit-oriented, affordable, and eco-friendly housing in Seattle. He and his wife are full-time South Lake Tahoe residents.