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Robert Coleman-Senghor
By GUY KOVNER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
A bouquet of white flowers sat behind Cotati Councilman Robert Coleman-Senghor’s nameplate on Wednesday night at City Hall, as colleagues, friends and even adversaries paid tribute to his keen intellect, eloquence and gentlemanly manner.
Coleman-Senghor, 70, who was elected to the council in 2008, died Saturday from a tear in his aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body.
Andre Morrow, president of Cotati’s Chamber of Commerce, said that he and Coleman-Senghor “butted heads” on several matters “but we always respected each other.”
After arguing, Morrow said, the two men would talk about their families and fathers, and “he cried every single time.”
Joan Simon, a Cotati resident, said Coleman-Senghor, a longtime professor of English at Sonoma State University, was “one of the most thoughtful men I’ve ever known. He was an elected official, but not a politician.”
Chris Cone recalled meeting Coleman-Senghor at her kitchen table when he was campaigning for the council. “I had just found a lifelong friend,” she recalled.
Kathryn Wickstrom acknowledged Coleman-Senghor’s ability to wade into controversy. “I am a firm believer that controversy is good for the betterment of mankind,” she said.
Councilwoman Pat Gilardi said he had known Coleman-Senghor for years, calling him “gracious always, even in debate, even when we disagreed, a gentleman always.”
Councilman Mark Landman, like others who spoke, recalled hourslong conversations with Coleman-Senghor, including their first, a three-hour dialog.
“We talked about everything under the sun,” Landman said.
Born in Louisiana, Coleman-Senghor grew up in the East Bay, graduated from Berkeley High and enlisted in the Marines.
He joined the SSU faculty in 1972, having earned a bachelor’s degree after studies at UC Berkeley and the University of San Francisco.
Coleman-Senghor is survived by his wife, Gabi Schmitz, and four sons. Mayor Janet Orchard described Coleman-Senghor as “a huge presence and force on the council, and a good friend of mine.”
Councilwoman Susan Harvey said she will miss “our conversations and his smiling face sitting next to me.”
“I think we will move forward, but we’ll never forget him,” Orchard said, concluding the remembrances.
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I live near Cotati and have followed the politics for awhile! I myself never say the pledge of allegiance as it has been violated by the addition of the words “under god” during the McCarthy era! I can say that nothing Mark Landman says really gets near the truth of the mean-spirited-ness of those that dislike Coleman-Senghor! I am sure it is very similar to why people hate the fact that Barack Obama is POTUS! It has to do with race hatred! That hatred went underground for many years after the civil rights movement and the end of segregation (American apartheid) but it resurfaced under the Reagan and then Bush Administrations. Howwever that is nothing compared to the hatred that has been spewed out since the tea party movement started! The haters are out and the are unrepentant in their hatred of any black man that dares speak his own mind!
I agree with most of your statements made. The confusion I feel is I was on a public library computer when I made the first statement, I didn’t make the other two comments. Someone called me to let me know you were assuming all three statements were made by the same person. Just because the icon is the same, doesn’t mean its the same person. I will let you know I posted one with my name on it. I don’t hide, unlike other people who use made up names to hide thier true identidy. I liked Mr Coleman for who is was as a person, and what he did for the gopher problems at cader field. I expect a written appology Mr Councilmember. I now am home on my computer after I got it fixed today.
I’d like to thank Michelle for her kind comments about Robert Coleman-Senghor, our community has indeed lost a great man.
An interesting fact about the colorful icons next to the poster’s names in these forums is that regardless of what name you may choose to use, the icon remains the same. For example, if you compare “Sad Day” and “Loss For Cotati”, you’ll see they’re the same individual. For those curious, you need look no further than the related article “Cotati to honor Coleman-Senghor”, where you will find the same graphic next to the poster’s true name.
While this may answer the question of who posted these shameful statements, it doesn’t answer the question of who actually wrote them. Nevertheless, these statements seem to bear the mark of a tiresomely familiar hand.
Insinuations regarding his patriotism, trumped-up charges of ethics violations, unsubstantiated complaints against his city employees, are all typical of the mean-spirited barrage Robert Coleman-Senghor faced at every single City Council meeting, all while he worked so tirelessly to protect and improve our community. To see this petty behavior continue in a time when our entire community is in mourning is a sad reflection on the character of those involved.
This all points to another of Robert Coleman-Senghor’s achievements; that he was able to accomplish all he did for us while being constantly harassed, reviled, and attacked for the most base and political of motivations by this small (in all senses of the word) and bitter group.
Despite the incessant barrage of hate he constantly faced, Robert Coleman-Senghor moved Cotati through difficult times and helped us arrive at a better place. I can only say thanks for being there for us, Bob, we will always remember your exemplary service and your fine character.
Mr Coleman was a man who wasn’t afraid of contriversy. He was a strong person with strong beleifs. He never waivered and loved politics. The only question that concens me is why he didn’t explain why he didn’t like the Pledge of Allegiance. According to the recorded council minutes, all he said was” I have my personnal reasons”. Too bad we won’t be able to get a clear picture of what what was behind his belief. As an American, I do believe in our heritage and our great country. Maybe he didn’t believe in the word “God”? We will never know the answer, but rest in peace former Mayor of Cotati, may the good lord bless your family.
After reading “Sad Day”s post I kind of felt sorry for him/her. I hate to respond to these kinds of posts but I decided there are a few things I needed to say.
First, I suppose, Mr/Ms Sad day, you were a very close personal friend of Coleman-Senghor to be able to say with such certainty what it was he would have wanted. I also assume you know for certain that staff was paid an hour overtime for the time they took to honor him. And finally you might want to choose your battles a little more carefully and keep them to things that really matter to the community, lest you relegate yourself to nothing more than angry and mean-spirited.
A great man has died, his community took time to honor his passing and you – sad day – are chaffing about the Brown Act. You just can’t get any more petty than that. And I can tell you with great certainty, if there was one thing Coleman-Senghor abhorred, it was pettiness.
The most truthful thing about your post was the moniker you aptly chose for yourself. “Sad day” indeed.
It was nice to here they remembered him on the council, but not to get off topic, it wasn’t on the agenda, which is a Brown Act violation. Mr Coleman, would have wanted no fuss, and to keep the council focused and moving. I am sure they are going to have another rememberance at the city hall, but please not at the cost of the taxpayers who have to see the attorney, and staff getting paid overtime for an hour. Mr Coleman ran a tight ship, lets keep it that way.