Smears and Yellow Journalism at the Marin IJ

An Open Letter to the Marin IJ:

Wow, Richard Halstead did not waste any time trying to smear me. He was standing behind me in the registrars office yesterday and could have interviewed me why I would want to run-especially if his 2016 story was true. It was b.s. in 2016 and fully vetted by videotape proof. He didn't interview me then either. It is a sad day for the Marin IJ and journalism. 

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"Another local race worth watching is the contest for two openings on the Marinwood Community Services District. So far, incumbent Bill Shea, Sivan Oyserman and Stephen Nestel, a passionate opponent of Plan Bay Area and increased housing densities, have declared their candidacies and filing for the district seats will remain open until Wednesday.

In 2016, Nestel, a vocal critic of the district who often videotapes meetings, got into a physical altercation with Justin Kai, a Marinwood CSD board member at the time, that resulted in Kai seeking a restraining order to keep Nestel away from him. The request for the restraining order was denied."

see story here

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So based on nothing more than a one sided account by the "victim" and the judge throwing the matter out of court,  a front page, above the fold article runs in 2016 while burying a rape story on page 6.   

Have you no decency and respect for the profession of journalism?

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I chose to ignore the matter in 2016.  In this internet age, the lie has reverberated with "gotcha" claims of wrongdoing.   The facts have not changed.  I was the victim of Justin Kai's aggression while walking my dogs in front of my house. He videotaped the encounter and based on the evidence, the judge threw it out of court.  Essentially, it is a non story of two people getting angry and walking away.

Why does the Marin IJ want to take sides in this matter?   Clearly, Mr. Halstead thinks smears can stop me from participating in local democracy.  

I am happy to speak with any fair minded reporter about my candidacy in Marinwood CSD.

My chief concern in Marinwood is a  maintenance shed compound that is being pushed without public oversight.  It violates the Stream Conservation Ordinance established in 2007 and is preposterously out of scale.  If built, it will be the most expensive maintenance shed for a three man crew in Marin County's history.

The Marinwood CSD shed "White Elephant" is a story of corruption, failed environmental policy and secret local government.

Marin supervisor, judge races take center stage on IJ Forums

IJ Forums this month brought together the two Marin supervisorial candidates and the two Marin judicial candidates for conversations about the hot topics and tough decisions facing Marin voters.

Dominic Grossi, 43, a dairy farmer from West Novato, and Dennis Rodoni, 64, an Olema residential contractor, offer their views on traffic, homelessness and fire danger in a 15-minute chat with host Dick Spotswood.

They are vying for the 4th District seat being vacated by Supervisor Steve Kinsey.

“This is obviously going to be a difficult and a close race for voters when you have two qualified candidates,” Spotswood concludes. “It makes it fun to watch, but it presents a quandry to pick: Which of two good candidates is our next county supervisor from the 4th District?”

In the second 15-minute segment, Spotswood asks Marin Superior Court judicial candidates Michael Coffino, 48, a deputy public defender from Sausalito, and Sheila Lichtblau, 50, a deputy county counsel from Mill Valley, to differentiate themselves and suggest what qualities voters ought to consider when they vote Nov. 8.

See Article HERE

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Journalism

The newspaper industry is suffering. That’s bad news for journalists — both real and fictional.

Digital First Media owns the Marin IJ, and most of the newspapers in the Bay Area.

My response to Justin Kai's Lies and the Marin IJ Libel

Although I want to put the Justin Kai issue to bed, I have been maliciously libeled and slandered too many times. His "temporary civil harassment restraining order" only contained his over the top allegations and character assassination. As a recipient of the order, I did not have the opportunity to file a written statement to the court answering Justin's outrageous claims. Although I was allowed to speak in my defense at the court hearing, none of it enters the written record.

The judge threw out the restraining order request after listening to Justins testimony and seeing the video that Justin provided.

I tried to let the matter rest but apparently Justin contacted the Marin IJ and they wrote a story entirely from his perspective adding more injury. I also believe he attacked me in the comments section after the story too under pseudonym, "bank dadio". Furthermore, I told the writer, Richard Halstead that the matter was settled and I was not interested in inflaming the situation.  What did the Marin IJ do?  It published it on page one, top of fold for maximum impact. Meanwhile, the Tiburon rape indictment, a genuine headline news story, was pushed to page three.

After the publication on page one on the Marin IJ, I had clients cancel business, my children were in tears, my wife was upset and now in addition to a court record, I now have a Google searchable document. The Internet lives forever and he has deeply impacted my life. I was never charged with a crime and the allegations were groundless.  

Justin Kai has revealed his true character.