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During the April 17 Capitola City Council meeting, Councilmember Melinda Orbach stood on the dais and accused my neighbor and friend Kevin Maguire of harassment and threatening behavior. She offered no evidence. That moment was not just a personal attack — it was an abuse of position and a betrayal of public trust.
I was disappointed to see the council dismiss the code-of-conduct complaint on Sept. 25 without requiring even the most basic accountability. At the very least, Councilmember Orbach should have been required to take a class in conflict resolution or review the code of conduct she violated. Capitola deserves leaders who model respect, not division.
I write not only as Kevin’s friend but also as a Capitola resident and business owner. Kevin is a decent, community-minded human being who cares deeply for this city we call home. To see his reputation maligned from the dais, and then to see the dismissal influenced by an orchestrated show of support — mostly from people outside Capitola — was disheartening. Santa Cruz voices should not outweigh the voices of Capitola residents when it comes to our council’s standards of conduct.
As an advocate for peace and kindness, I believe disagreement over policy should never cross into personal attacks. When theatrics from outsiders sway a vote, we all lose faith in the fairness of the process.
Still, I believe Capitola can move forward. If we choose accountability and civility over partisanship and theatrics, we can rebuild trust in our institutions and show our neighbors — near and far — that Capitola models the kind of respectful, community-centered politics we all deserve.
Alla Mia Basaldua
Capitola