The Cupertino City Council recently voted 3-2 to remove Planning Commissioner R "Ray" Wang, a controversial figure who has been called out for his unprofessional behavior, sparking heated debates and a division of public opinion in the community according to a recent report by SFGate.
Mayor Hung Wei, Vice Mayor Sheila Mohan, and Councilmember J.R. Fruen voted in favor of Wang's removal, while Councilmembers Liang Chao and Kitty Moore opposed it. More than 60 residents participated in a nearly two-hour public comment session, expressing their support or opposition to Wang's removal. The council received over 350 letters in advance concerning the matter.
Vice Mayor Sheila Mohan stated that the decision was not based on Wang's planning knowledge or expertise but on his repeated demeaning of city staff, unsubstantiated allegations against them, and conduct that posed potential risks to the city's employment practices liability, Mercury News reported.
Some supporters of Wang claim the allegations against him are politically motivated and one-sided, with Councilmember Moore suggesting a formal process be set up to review such allegations against commissioners to avoid politically-driven attacks, though her motion was not taken up.
In response to the allegations against him, Wang accused J.R. Fruen of orchestrating the move for his removal and claimed that the accusations were false, fostering division in the city, and urging a stop to "the vindictive politics of J.R. Fruen and his crowd." Fruen, however, maintained that there was nothing divisive about holding Wang accountable.
Wang has faced multiple controversies during his tenure, with criticisms centering on his alleged belittling of city workers and harassment of residents who opposed him as indicated by an article in San Jose Spotlight. Some Cupertino residents expressed support for Wang, arguing that he prioritized their interests and demonstrated knowledge of city issues, while others recounted experiencing personal attacks from Wang on social media and called out his bullying behavior.
Previously, Wang used the Nextdoor platform to encourage people to report housing advocate and now Sunnyvale Councilmember Richard Mehlinger to his employer. Wang also threatened to sue a resident over alleged defamatory social media posts according one report . While some former Cupertino city officials defended Wang's record of standing up against housing developers, others emphasized the importance of maintaining a civil, respectful, and professional environment in the city and holding all its members to higher standards.
As Cupertino City Council moves on from this turbulent episode, it remains to be seen how the decision to remove Wang will impact the city's reputation and future relations between government officials and residents. However, the public outcry and expression of opinions in this case highlight the importance of conversation and dialogue in a democratic society striving for transparency, accountability, and fair governance.
