(SAN RAMON) --- The Freedom of Information Act San Ramon Series (FOIA) taught me so much.
In October 2025, I started a FOIA series for many reasons. First, I wanted to show the public how to question officials through correspondence. A FOIA request offers the chance to see councilmembers' emails by simply filling out a form.
While a FOIA request yields much information, it does not guarantee that the correspondence is the only communication between officials on city matters.
At the time, public concerns were rising over a range of issues, including the Toll Brothers Application, violations of the Brown Act, the proposed recall of Councilmember Robert Jweniat, and many others.
Rather than author the series myself, I asked OpGov.News reporters write to remain unbiased, with Angela Underwood authoring the first report, thanking the San Ramon staff for their assistance, specifically Lisa Scholtz, under Joan Snashall's supervision.
Collectively, these reports have garnered thousands of hits.
I personally wanted to author the last report as an official District 16 Assembly candidate, in an effort to show how OpGov.News research under my direction demonstrates my desire to uncover all possible truths behind political decisions in the district.
Before addressing the final set of emails, I want to refer to some reports that provide an overall view of what officials discussed at the beginning of the series.
The second and third reports, authored by Ananya Sayani, delve into official public concerns about the impact of housing density on Sunset Developers. The emails also disclose developer project appeal fees and climate change policy concerns from resident Brian Swanson.
(Photo: Brian Swanson email to San Ramon officials)
The FOIA reports also included Sayani's report, "A City Growing Faster Than Its Residents Can Keep Up," which shows that San Ramon's development plans are not in the best interests of residents here.
The fourth set of emails reveals a few words about me by a resident named Martha. I actually welcome the criticism in the series, showing OpGov.News transparency.
While Martha writes, I am both "unprofessional and pushy," to Mayor Mark Armstrong, I have never heard from Martha personally, which I would love, in hopes of learning more about what upsets her.
As for the final sets of emails, I would like to report personally what officials discussed regarding public policy, sharing with you, the reader, what you deserve to know. The fifth and sixth sets of emails continue to show the citizen climate control plan by Brian Swanson and Robert Vanderflip, as seen below.
(Photo: Robert Vanderflip email to San Ramon officials)
Former Councilman Jim Blickenstiff also shows concern about the Climate Action Plan in the series as seen below.
(Photo: Jim Blickenstiff, former San Ramon councilman, email to elected officials)
By the seventh set of emails, Carol Gilbert continues to express concern about the public's absence from city planning, specifically saying, "We have had enough of Sunset Development ruining our city!"
(Photo: Carol Gilbert email to San Ramon Officials)
Cynthia Keefer has the same concerns in the same set, saying she rejects "the Zoning administrator to approve projects," and "protect our right to be heard."
Suzanne F. Sanchez feels the same.
(Photo: Suzanne F Sanchez email to San Ramon officials)
The eighth and ninth sets of emails show correspondence between Christina Franco and citizens regarding an in-person meeting with Mayor Mark Armstrong and councilmembers on zoning text amendments, revealing a long history of development concerns for citizens, specifically Bob Peoples, as seen below.
(Photo: Bob Peoples email to San Ramon offcials)
Other emails from citizens, Erik Wilske, saying "we can not expand with the same infrastructure staying put," in San Ramon, and "freeway access needs to be studied are also in the series with Joel Alpha's concerns over the Climate Action Plan.
Additionally, numerous emails in response to a mass email I sent out regarding planning commission oversight were sent to officials by Denise Bicker, Dr. Howard T. Fuller, Ursula Sexton, Shilpa Singh, Raptor Raid, Glenn Jones, Mike McCormick, and nearly a dozen others.
(Photo: Michael McCorkmick email to San Ramon officials)
The ninth set of emails is dominated by a citizen who is highly concerned about health issues stemming from mold in her home, and by officials' lack of concern for the evidence she has presented. I have met the citizens, and their concerns are valid, a bit frightening to be honest.
It is clear from the FOIA request that many citizen concerns have gone not only unchecked. That is one of many reasons I have stepped up to run for District 16. Local officials have made it clear that the community's best interests are second to developers' wants.
(Photo: Final email from Lisa Scholtz closing out the FOIA series I initiated in October of 2025)
This must change.
As I noted at the beginning of the report, I hope the series is not only informative but also inspires change, with other San Ramon citizens asking to see what officials write in private.
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