Fix Pacifica: Our new council member is...

Monday, March 26, 2012

Our new council member is...

Ginny Jaquith was selected as Jim Vreeland's replacement, serving through the November election.

Posted by Steve Sinai

35 comments:

todd bray said...: Sweet, I won $100 last night from a local business person thanks to this outcome. But congratulations to us all for having 5 council members again.; March 27, 2012 at 8:53 AM
Hutch said...: What a slap in the face. Jaquith was successfully recalled by the voters. Well hopefully she can't run in November.; March 27, 2012 at 9:25 AM
Kathy Meeh said...: Good to see you and Councilmember Nihart agree on something, Todd (853).

Jaquith is the qualified candidate who could be confirmed last night on a 50-50 split city council. She has a long track record of county and community services, most of which is at the Chair level. She will not be running in the Fall election, and she does not live or work in the area of the proposed Assisted Living project.

She also supported measure N (a 1% city sales tax from a few years back), that makes her perfect. Glad you won your bet, Todd.; March 27, 2012 at 9:35 AM
todd bray said...: Kathy, Mary Ann has some sort of personal grudge thing. Like Steve Rhodes she doesn't like to be challenged or questioned.

Mary Ann has been a big disappointment for me as I recommended her four years ago as someone who is a Learner. That misconception of mine has been shredded unfortunately.

BTW the bet has nothing to do with whether or not Mary Ann and I agree on anything.; March 27, 2012 at 9:45 AM
Kathy Meeh said...: "..the bet has nothing to do with whether or not Mary Ann and I agree on anything."

In any event, your Jaquith choice of candidate to win (1 of 9) was golden, smart. And, for that I am amused.; March 27, 2012 at 9:56 AM
todd bray said...: Politics is about compromise. If it isn't it's about money as we've seen with all these biased cries for tax increases.

I would have liked to see Leo appointed but that was unrealistic. There were several folks on that list that would have been fine but Ginny was the only logical compromise.

My wife and I were pleasantly surprised with her appointment.; March 27, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Kathy Meeh said...: "Politics is about compromise." (Todd 1033).

True, it was inevitable we would "hit the wall again". It seems the compromise in this city over the past decade has been maybe 80-90% city council "no growth" leadership policy, vs. the other 20-10%, balanced city economy and sound city infrastructure.; March 27, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Anonymous said...: Leo Leon's council performance shows he is not qualified for council. He does not understand fundamental management of taxpayer's money.
He made a grand gesture designed to make him look good--he would "save" the city money and would not take a council salary if appointed. Instead, he would take the salary $$ and donate it to a local nonprofit. Problem: if he does not take the salary, the $$ is not his to do anything with and the $$ stays in the city treasury.
If he takes the salary, he pays taxes, can donate it, burn it. It's his. If he forgoes the salary, the $$ is not his to direct anywhere, he does not pay taxes and it stays in the city's possession.
An empty political gesture and improper.; March 27, 2012 at 12:33 PM
Anonymous said...: "Leo Leon's council performance.. not qualified for council."

Compared to who, Sue Digre? Come on Anonymous 1233, he's qualified.; March 27, 2012 at 1:01 PM
todd bray said...: Ha, Kathy what you consider "the other 20-10%, balanced city economy and sound city infrastructure" I consider reactionary naive fascists. That includes a lot of folks you probably put in the 80% category BTW.

Ideologues like you or the "other side" of you need to stop all your hair brained nonsense. I'm casting a very wide net, which in and of itself is a shame, but this constant infantile bleating by both extremes, you and "them," has run its course.

Y'all need to shut the @#$% up. I understand it's a brain damage issue for you and others but at some point you need to take responsibility for your own crap. Just please shut the @#$% up. No one cares and your sad sacking has no real effect.

I dare you not to reply to this post Kathy... I double dare you.

I'll be your best friend!! :); March 27, 2012 at 1:09 PM
Steve Sinai said...: You are part of one extreme, Todd.; March 27, 2012 at 1:29 PM
Kathy Meeh said...: 1) "Ideologues like you or the "other side" of you...2) Y'all need to shut the @#$% up...3) you need to take responsibility for your own crap.."

Seriously, Todd (1009), 1) are you really suggesting you're in the balanced middle? 2) That shutting-up will hasten solutions to fix this city's ongoing structural and "no growth" city council leadership problem? 3) That after 10+ years proof positive
responsibility and accountability are not needed in this city?

"The chickens have come home to roost", Todd, and included with those to thank, there is you. "Our environment is NOT our economy", unfortunately without balance, currently it is.; March 27, 2012 at 1:43 PM
todd bray said...: Name the extreme Steve, because I can guarantee you whatever side you perceive me to be on, that side will not lay claim to me.; March 27, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Anonymous said...: The extreme that calls people Nazis when he can't get into their meeting.; March 27, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Steve Sinai said...: You are on the no-growth extreme, Todd. It may not be obvious to you, but it's obvious to everyone else.

I'm sure the people in the Tea Party or Occupy movement don't think they're extremists, either.; March 27, 2012 at 2:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Thank god Ginny Jaquith put her hat in the ring. She is such a stellar choice that Council had an easy decision. All 4 of them recognized that in their comments and their votes. All 4 did the right thing for Pacifica. Council knew Mr. Leon was never in the race because he would have had to recuse himself from any land use issue heard previously by the Planning Commission, thereby doing nothing to solve the voting quorum issue on projects like the assisted-living facility. Ms. Ervin, Mr. Banco, Mr. Anda, Mr. Hinton were all great applicants but Ginny Jaquith is a big leaguer. Bravo Council! Now quit passing the buck and getsit stionsf to work.; March 27, 2012 at 2:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Todd Bray, you're better than this argument.; March 27, 2012 at 2:35 PM
Anonymous said...: 1233anon He's qualified. You make no sense.; March 27, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Anonymous said...: Steve Sinai is also better than this argument.; March 27, 2012 at 2:39 PM
Steve Sinai said...: "Steve Sinai is also better than this argument."

What do you mean? I set a pretty low bar when it comes to arguments.; March 27, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Anonymous said...: haha At least you're not arguing in a bar.; March 27, 2012 at 3:21 PM
Anonymous said...: Todd I don't know why you don't like Steve Rhodes. He's not the problem, his bosses are. Can't believe he's still with us. He doesn't need this nonsense. Agree with you on Marianne. She's gone Nurse Ratched on us. Kinda sad. Can't wait for the election and some new personalities to mix it up and maybe get something done.; March 27, 2012 at 4:23 PM
Lionel Emde said...: Pacifica Index reported that Ginny Jaquith has taken this seat as a temporary position - she stated she will not run in November, if PI is to be believed.

The last poster who commented on how wonderful city manager Steve Rhodes is; look at the city finances and tell us how wonderful he is.

He is the top staffer, the person who is supposed to help guide the council through the thicket of municipal finance, and he appears not to know shit. We are in ruin. We have a person in charge of the finance dept. who has never run a finance dept.

And he is VERY close to retirement. Perfect. Shit.; March 27, 2012 at 9:47 PM
Anonymous said...: Lionel, do you ever propose any solutions, or do you just bitch and moan?; March 27, 2012 at 9:59 PM
Anonymous said...: Todd, you have personally attached Marianne at every turn. What exactly has she done to disappoint? Really? Have a different opinion? She has not disappointed me. For what I can see, she did not agree with you on one issue and you attacked her personally and publicly. So who has the grudge now really. who? We are lucky to have her. I don't agree with her on everything but at least she explains herself which is better than I can say of the "go with the crowd, please your friends first" other council persons. She has worked her heart out, made tough decisions, and stood by them. I for one appreciate her honesty and dedication.; March 27, 2012 at 10:25 PM
Anonymous said...: Lionel they don't like what you say because you're usually right. Mr. Rhodes isn't up to this particular task which is not to say he wasn't better as a city manager in Oregon. Pacifica is one effedup town and always has been. Rhodes is a project guy not the kind of shape-shifting snake charmer needed to deal with the Mama's Family we call a city council. And Ann Ritzma as our finance chief is like crop circles. How the hell did she get there?; March 27, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Anonymous said...: I think Mr. Rhodes actually has been here long enough now to be vested in CalPers for his pension benefits in CA. There aren't many reasons left for him to stay aboard the Titanic much longer.; March 27, 2012 at 10:36 PM
Steve Sinai said...: Blaming Rhodes and Nihart for the mess left to us by previous city councils, especially those including Digre and DeJarnatt, is like blaming Obama for the hole that Bush put us in.

Some of the same people bitching about Rhodes and Nihart are the ones who spent years blocking economic development, and the tax revenues it would bring, in the first place. Of course, none of them ever accepts responsibility for their role in keeping Pacifica poor. They'd rather put 100% of the blame on city employees.; March 28, 2012 at 12:52 AM
Hutch said...: If Ritma isn't going to play hardball with the Unions this year then we need to replace her now.

All our financial problems trace back to unsustainable union wages and benefits. Especially our 20+ million and growing pension obligation to Calpers.

All the other stuff (sales tax, police outsource etc.) is a distraction from the real crisis.

Unless we get someone seriously trying to tackle the unions then we face certain insolvency.; March 28, 2012 at 8:11 AM
Anonymous said...: Hutch, Do you really think Ritzma sets the city's position in union negotiations? The chain of command is Ritzma>Rhodes>Council and always has been. I'm no fan but let's not naively charge her with more authority and responsibility than she really has and thus overlook the real culprits. We have had a string of councils giving away the farm for decades. Just a matter of time for the perfect storm to hit. 4 or 5 years into it we're still stumbling around unable to gain traction in any direction because we still aren't facing our fiscal reality. I guess it's just too scary.; March 28, 2012 at 2:26 PM
Anonymous said...: Cities all over CA are faced with unsustainable wages and pensions for their public employees. How long til the Feds step in and limit further the options for relief available via bankruptcy? In CA, unlike many states, a city does not need to have state approval to file for bankruptcy relief. For now. That can change and probably will as city failures snowball. Are we going to miss that life boat, too? Don't we usually miss the boat? Council should stop playing games with FCSTF, take the blinders off, and let them consider all options including outsourcing and bankruptcy and get started now.; March 28, 2012 at 2:42 PM
Anonymous said...: Unions want guaranteed hire into the sheriff dept. If anyone is not hired, they want a cushy severance package. This will cost the city, and the taxpayers, a fortune.
When the negotiating results are released, probably at the last minute, better read the fine print!; March 28, 2012 at 4:09 PM
Anonymous said...: There's leverage on both sides of the table with the union and lots of options in any service contract between the SMC Sheriffs and any city. We'd be prudent to go regional while it's an option.; March 28, 2012 at 5:01 PM
Hutch said...: We don't need to outsource police, cut money to the poor and seniors, reduce staff or any of it.

We need to negotiate contracts that allow our survival.

We need to get out from under that $20+ million pension obligation to Calpers.

And if the unions don't like it we should just impose cuts just like Fresno, San Jose and more and more Ca cities are doing.

We are in a position of power as far as the unions go. We better use it to our advantage or we definitely will face bankruptcy.; March 28, 2012 at 5:18 PM
Anonymous said...: It's neither that simple nor is it enough at this stage. What a city is and how it provides services will have to change.; March 28, 2012 at 5:38 PM