Brentwood City Manager Disputes Candidates Claim

On Monday, Brentwood City Manager Gus Vina defended the city’s actions after a candidate claimed he tried to file his paperwork to run for mayor before the 5:00 pm deadline on Friday.

Paul La Follette took to social media Monday saying he was in City Hall before the 5:00 pm deadline and was never greeted until after 5:00 pm–thus missing the deadline. He indicated the process was fixed and they are trying to sweep it under the rug.

Here is what he stated:

Paul La Follette: I filed for mayor of Brentwood. Signatures in hand before deadline. Asked to return with more. And Did within in time

Called from their desk, to their office while i waited in office,was not greeted until after.

Any help on this. Called twice to meet and speak with the city manager. Request for video surveillance to prove i was there within time. Said i would come in to speak with them. Waiting for a response return . Request for them to look at the video. Prove i was within time. Of Friday after hours. Asked if it was ok. It is not and if id like to return today to run for city council.

Said id be there to today talk with them and my only choice city council now. Not mayor? Liked to get it fixed. And on ballot for mayor.

Thought i did everything right and by the book. No response help or accountability for a 5th generation native. Whos family owned most Bentwood and was here before the city existed

Trying to sweep this under the rug again

Gus Vina stated that La Follette was not inside city hall until 5:05 pm and disputes his claims. He says they have a 5:00 pm deadline and that they have rules for a reason.

“At 2:30 pm, Mr. La Follette came in and pulled papers and city clerk let him know he needed 20 signatures of registered voters within Brentwood city limits and that he could obtain as many as 30,” explained Vina. “He came in at 4:45 pm when he was unaware of the mayors deadline was that Friday. He was unclear on the difference of the mayors versus city council being extended. He only had 15-signatures at that time. He was told that was insufficient and two of the 15-signatures that did not have valid addresses. The clerk advised him that he needed at least 6 more valid signatures. Again it was restated to him had to be submitted by 5:00 pm.”

Vina said that it was not until 5:05 pm when he re-entered city hall and came into the lobby where a staff member came out to greet him and inform him the deadline to run for mayor had passed.

“He told us he would come back next week to run for council,” said Vina. “They had to escort him out because the doors close and the alarm system. He told the individual he was upset at himself for getting confused on the council deadline versus the council deadline.”

Vina said he thought that was the end of it and does not know why he took to social media.

Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor, who is now running unopposed stated Monday afternoon that if anyone filed before the deadline, they should be allowed to run but in this case that did not happen.

He offered no further comment.

In the city council race, candidates as of Monday include:

• John Fink
• Mark Stoiber
• Robert “Leo” Rodgers
• Karen Rarey
• Claudette Staton