Follow us
Stockton Councilman Brando Villapudua on the Hot Seat
If there’s one constant in San Joaquin County politics, it’s that, at any given moment, a member of the Villapudua family will be involved in some kind of controversy.
Stockton Councilman Brando Villapadua, the brother of former Assemblyman Carlos Villapudua, is the latest Villapudua who cannot stay out of the headlines.
The Stockton Record reported recently that Brando was recently cited by Stockton police for expired registration and failure to provide proof of insurance. (Read the article here.)
This follows the February 13th Stockton Record story reporting that the Stockton City Council will proceed with censuring Brando for flipping off a resident during a council meeting. (Read the article here.)
Brando’s troubles have prompted Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee and others to call for Villapadua to resign. Watch the ABC10 story here.
It was right to call for Brando Villapudua's resignation. His actions show that he is not fit to be an elected official. It’s clear that he won on his family name, not his experience.
However, based on Brando’s response to both incidents, Stockton taxpayers won’t see his resignation any time soon.
Regarding the expired registration and lack of proof of insurance citation, Brando simply said he “forgot.”
That response resonates the same as when former Tracy City Attorney Bijal Patel said that she “forgot” to renew her license to practice law with the State Bar of California.
It is an unacceptable response for an elected official two years into his city council term.
His threat of censure for flipping off someone from the public during a council meeting solicited a similar response from Brando: indifference.
It’s evident that Brando feels he’s entitled to the council seat because of his last name.
That’s not good enough for a city that desperately needs leaders to guide it in a positive direction.
Brando, like Tracy’s Councilman Mateo Bedolla, believes that he deserves the utmost respect from the community.
Yet, both elected officials respond to criticism from the public like school yard bullies.
Both fail to understand that respect is earned, especially when it’s coming from the people who voted to put them in their positions.
Taxpayers could care less about their titles.
They care about results – not childish antics.