Remarks by John Trasviña
308 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 3 of 13
- Play at 39:32
“But my question was, what was new? Because the last time we were here, we said it was insufficient. And you've answered me that you're not in a position to be able to say one way or the other.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 39:46
“OK, great. And my other question relates to the commission's presentation in writing, where it says that the Yins' actions included threatened and attempted violence. Can you describe with some specifics what the threat and attempted violence was?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 40:47
“And can you point to me which code says intervening in any way is a violation? Sure.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 41:29
“Well, then that gets to my question of what constituted the immediate danger?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 41:43
“OK. And also, it's the department's position that the intention to intervene is immaterial.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 41:58
“That people can intervene for all sorts of reasons. But in the department's view, the intention is immaterial.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 42:13
“Right. OK, great. And that's all I have. I see Vice President Soroyan would like to ask a question. I yield to Vice President Soroyan.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:24:31
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:25:59
“Oh, the parties need to hear and understand your presentation. If you are able to pause so the interpreters can do their work, then we'll give you twice the time that you would otherwise be allotted in order for that to occur.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:26:51
“So what is the preference of our interpreters? How would you like to be able to make sure that this witness is understood by the people who need the interpretation? Would you like to have her speak and then you speak? Or do you want to...”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:27:37
“And who is doing the interpreting during this section? Both of you or just one of you? Since I'm here now, I will do it. All right. So as I said earlier, we'll do it to make sure your job is best, which is she will speak at a good pace, and then you'll be able to restate it. So six minutes.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:28:00
“Yes, six minutes. We'll restart the presentation and the time.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:40:59
“Just one question. What's the, if you know, the economic cost of a six-month suspension for a vendor?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:41:21
“And do any of your colleagues with the commission know that, what a vendor makes in a year?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:48:20
“We have completed the testimony in this matter. First, I want to thank our interpreters for helping us with this process. And I also want to commend and thank the Arts Commission for conducting what appears to be a very effective program in the arts.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:49:04
“At the beginning of this proceeding, the Arts Commission representative stated that it has been seven years since the last incident to be brought to the Board of Appeals. I think that's wonderful, and I think the board would appreciate having no docket and no matters having to come before us. But inevitably, there are disputes, and there are rights to bring matters to us.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:50:10
“We told the Arts Commission that there was insufficient evidence to sustain the charges earlier. While the Commission representative states that we should forget about that and forget about the earlier proceeding. I disagree. That's why I asked the commission representative what new evidence is there. I appreciate her difficulty in being able to answer that because she is new. But the department should have been able to give us that information either collectively or in the brief as they thought about bringing these charges again.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:51:26
“I won't say whether it's high or low, but it is significant.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:52:10
“But when there is doubt, the remedy is to say that the prosecutor, in this case the department, hasn't met its burden. It's not to just lower the suspension because of that doubt.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:52:40
“I don't hear new significant facts tonight. I did not hear new significant facts tonight.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:52:49
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 1:55:15
“And I see Commissioner Abad Okubiyu would like to be recognized.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 2:17:32
“Are you going to read your statement in its entirety?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 2:17:50
“You're entitled to... If your statement is being interpreted, then you're entitled to twice the time. You don't have to use it, but...”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 2:32:55
“Thank you both. I want to start, and I do appreciate that you've inherited this case. The commission's been at this since almost 10 months now. And we've been at it for quite a while as well. You state, and you just stated it's in the department's brief, by their own admission, the parties have violated the terms. If that's the case, why are they appealing?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026