by Joanne Garrison
In an article in yesterday's (9/27) San Mateo Daily Journal, Gene Condon stated, in response to an inquiry about 1 of 2 assault and battery arrests, that the incident occurred when he was "forced to defend his family" in a business dispute. Even though the incident resulted in a plea and a fine, he was quoted as saying "Would he do it again? Absolutely!" The following article from the Boutique and Villager dated Wednesday, June 11, 1997 was under the Police File section.

Boutique and Villager, Wednesday, June 11, 1997 under Police File
Assault With a Deadly Weapon
The new owner of Rusty's Restaurant allegedly pulled a woman to the ground by her hair and held a running power drill to the side of her head at 11:10 p.m. May 30 inside the restaurant at 1300 Howard Avenue. The 26-year-old woman was an employee of the previous owners, working in the restaurant that night. The former owners were having a private going-out-of-business party in the bar before the new owners took over a midnight.

At about 9:30 p.m., the new owners arrived and began working in the restaurant area. The previous owner became upset at the work being done before midnight and asked the woman to lock restaurant doors. As she was walking back into the bar, she said one of the new owners, Eugene Condon, 37, of Burlingame, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to the ground. He then allegedly held the drill about an inch away from her head. The suspect then began to leave the restaurant, the woman said, and she followed him, punching him and kicking him until he was out the door. Condon told police the woman tried to block his exit and he pulled her to the ground because he feared if he left through the party area, he would be attacked. He said the drill was in his hand at the time, but that he never put it near her head.

Witnesses interviewed by police support the allegations by the victim, said Police Commander Jack Van Etten. Officers are still seeking other witnesses. Condon was arrested for alleged assault with a deadly weapon.

After reading the article, given his past actions and the cavalier attitude (as expressed in yesterday's SM Daily Journal article) one has to ask why anyone would vote for this man when there are so many other choices?

– Written by Pete