Remarks by John Trasviña
308 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 5 of 13
- Play at 4:28:48
“I have a question. Are you saying that there is a video of this statement being made?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 4:29:11
“Well, so are you saying that you have evidence of the video evidence of the statement being made? Correct. Is there a reason why you haven't shown it to us?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 4:29:36
“OK. And can you remind me, was that said in English or Chinese?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 4:29:50
“And who translated it? Whose video is it?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 4:30:07
“So has anybody certified that that translation is correct?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 4:30:21
“Yeah. Who is certified that it is correct?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 4:31:13
“And when did the commission get, when did the department get this?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 4:50:30
“I think we're losing the interpretation purpose here. You've stated something we need to hear from. We need to hear you translate that.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 4:54:39
“Thank you all, particularly our interpreters, for helping us hear a lot of testimony and try to come to bring us to the ability to make a decision here. A lot has been going on on this matter. It comes down to one statement. As I understand, the department's view is there's one statement involved. There's a lot more going on. But the statement is, if I have a problem, I will definitely come to you. That the department considers as a threat. What occurred an hour before, what has occurred, all the dynamics, is not that statement. At best, the statement is ambiguous and innocuous. That…”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:01:05
“Are there other commissioners who would like to be recognized? Commissioner Wong.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:02:32
“Other commissioners like to be recognized?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:05:23
“Before I yield to my fellow commissioners, including Vice President Soroyan, I do want to ask the city attorney a couple of questions. One is, is there a basis to depart from – well, let me ask another way. Is the – It's my understanding the department's view is that it doesn't have jurisdictions. This code of conduct does not apply to non-vendors who have received the code of conduct and are aware of it. Is that a correct understanding, that the code of conduct doesn't apply to other than vendors? I'm sorry, other vendors? Other than vendors. Other than vendors. I believe that's correct. And…”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:07:21
“Well, the appellant was found guilty of code violations for the statement. She appeals that finding and that penalty. She comes to us. And it appears that we are making a decision on that charge and penalty based upon other activities that we have evidence of over the evening that the commission has already said do not apply to her. That is the conduct of the non-vendor. And I'm wondering are there any notice or other due process problems in making a decision based on those non the elements unrelated to her?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:08:17
“The elements that I forget the last. That's right.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:11:51
“Commissioner Bottage, I just want to follow up on that. The statements you just referenced, as I understand it, were not made by”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:12:35
“So if I could follow up. This is why I asked. For each case, what is the new evidence? Where is the evidence? What we're trying to do here, yes, we see a difficult situation. We see an abusive situation, a violent situation, whatever you want to call it. We do see that. It's on video. We've had a lot of people, well-meaning people coming, spending hours before us telling us what occurred. But what we have in front of us is a charge. The last time these issues came before us was that there's insufficient evidence. I think tonight we're saying, well, there's insufficient evidence for this, but…”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:20:14
“Well, if I could intercept your yielding to the city attorney while they're conferring, everything here is new material. This entire matter, unlike the other two, which were sent away for new material, this one is the first time. So in fact, if there's a precedent, it would be, OK, the first time you're up, you didn't get it. We need more. Now we're going to say we need more and come back with charges. As I said, if the department can determine legally that a vendor can be held responsible for their family members, then that's what we need to hear the next time. So that was my view. If we…”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:22:46
“Thank you. Commissioner, does that answer your question? Great. Commissioner Lopez.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:27:43
“Thank you, Vice President Soroyan. I'm going to suggest that we are stretching ourselves to try to find a solution that is fair, just, and legal. And we are looking for a way to tie the son, adult son, I believe, to the vendor. Hoping, and as I understand Commissioner Lopez's answer for, this is the notice that the vendor was provided. I'm guessing, even if the vendor were fully proficient in English, I think it would be a stretch to say the vendor understood your learned interpretation of the law. Second is, as I read the letter from the department, it says Wang made verbal threats towards…”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:31:37
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:32:48
“And Vice President Soroyan, would your goal be achieved if the Arts Commission were able to bring additional and different charges in this matter to itself first and then potentially an appeal to us?”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:33:31
“I think that what we are looking for, or my colleagues are looking for, is a way to bring all this other activity beyond what's here into this case.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:34:03
“Well, as I understand your motion, your motion was to continue.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:34:08
“To get information on alternative penalties.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026
- Play at 5:34:15
“And that I certainly would favor. The city attorney seems to say we can't ask the Arts Commission for additional charges because it's the appellant who comes for us.”
Board of Appeals · Sep 16, 2026