Prickly Patricia Gardner misfires in rant about nonprofits

Anyone who's worked in a mix of government, nonprofit, and business jobs knows that each sector is different, and provides its own strengths and weaknesses. Irene Smith, D3 council candidate, made the same point in a forum with her opponent, Omar Torres. But thin-skinned nonprofit veteran Patricia Gardner took bizarre offense in the Letters section of the Merc, sadly proving the point she was purportedly trying to oppose. The Opp Now team unpacks her twisted logic, below. To receive daily updates of new Opp Now stories, click here.

Background: In the San Jose Downtown Association debate, Torres dismissed the importance of academic and clinical expertise (which Smith has) when addressing mental health issues. Torres said, "You don't need a mental health certificate to understand" the scope of the humanitarian crisis. Smith countered that assertion in an email, noting that for Torres to blithely dismiss in-sector and educational expertise revealed a "limited perspective" that was "wanting" due to Torres having only worked in government and nonprofits.

Gardner’s Article: Gardner then let loose, accused Smith of being wildly off-base, and said in the Merc that "Nonprofit leaders bring experience in budgeting, strategic planning, management" and a list of other activities.

Opp Now Analysis: Gardner misses the point and misleads readers. Smith's clearly-stated contention was that her mix of business/mental health/nonprofit/government and legal work is more expansive than Torres'. What's "wanting" from Torres, in Smith's formulation, is comprehensive, cross-sector expertise, as Torres has only worked in nonprofits and government.

Gardner never engages this point. Willfully or not, Gardner misreads Smith's point and suggests, inaccurately, that Smith found nonprofit work itself "wanting."

This type of misdirection is typical of people who haven't worked in professions and sectors where clear writing and good faith interpretations are important.

Gardner’s Article: Perhaps more revealing, Gardner claims that "{Torres'} government experience means he knows how to get things done at City Hall."

Opp Now Analysis: But isn't that the whole point? Nobody outside Sam Liccardo's and Jennifer Maguire's office would claim that SJ City Hall performs well. In fact, the mayoral and council races are united in their harsh criticism of local city government as dysfunctional, ineffective, and corrupt. Following the consensus logic of these campaigns, experience in the kind of failed ecosystem that Gardner lauds--that isn't what voters are looking for. Rather, they're looking for substantive change informed by relevant experience.

Gardner's letter can be found here.

Smith's reply can be found here.

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Special ReportsJax Oliver