The Pacifica Chamber of Commerce submitted 12 questions to each of the candidates for Pacifica City Council. Every week we will be posting two questions, and the answers from each of the candidates.
Question 12: What is your "Business Plan" for Pacifica?
Rich Campbell - 2 Year Seat
More commercial development, more residential remodels, and promotion of our tourist industry.
Gary Mondfrans - 2 Year Seat
Essentially that Pacifica must be run more like a business, with operations streamlined and consolidated to reduce overhead. Efficiently may be realized by exploring some joint use of material, resources and or equipment with the Coastside County Water District. That there be projects goals and revenues forecast for 5 and 10 year periods and that there be adequate reserves for contingencies.
All aspects of city government must be open to exploration and review and those departments which hamper a more progressive approach must learn new ways to do this in order to become more efficient and responsive to the changing needs when called upon to progress and evolve to meet the needs required of them.
1) Stabilize fiscal budgeting so that we can move forward we need to look at both revenue and expenses.
a. I would look at our infrastructure and try to begin an improvement of our infrastructure. A lot of our problems are from deferred outlays that should have been done. Just looking at the pier, sewer laterals, sewage treatment plant, and our streets are all examples of nobody minding the store.
2) Look at what is making Pacifica lower on the list for businesses to consider us as a place to invest.
Victor Spano - 2 Year Seat
I understand that Pacifica will be developing an Economic Development Strategy. Typical Economic Development Strategies include: a defined timed plan for Economic Growth and Job Creation. The plan could identify all vacant land and current land uses, promote tourism, and seek to attract selected types of businesses to the City. It could set benchmarks for progress, and specify types of development the City would like to see for various vacant sites. I would expect a full public vetting of any Economic Development Strategy and the process itself to be controversial. A critical component, either before, or as part of the strategy is to hire an Economic Development Manager who is nearly an "Assistant City Manager Level", or if the capacity to do that is not possible, hire an Economic Development Specialist or even part-time position that performs some Economic Development Tasks because now there is no one other than City Manager or Planning Staff that might provide some information or assistance to would-be entrepreneurs. Following are a few areas that I think an Economic Development Strategy, or in other words, "business plan" should cover:
Rich Campbell - 2 Year Seat
More commercial development, more residential remodels, and promotion of our tourist industry.
Gary Mondfrans - 2 Year Seat
Essentially that Pacifica must be run more like a business, with operations streamlined and consolidated to reduce overhead. Efficiently may be realized by exploring some joint use of material, resources and or equipment with the Coastside County Water District. That there be projects goals and revenues forecast for 5 and 10 year periods and that there be adequate reserves for contingencies.
All aspects of city government must be open to exploration and review and those departments which hamper a more progressive approach must learn new ways to do this in order to become more efficient and responsive to the changing needs when called upon to progress and evolve to meet the needs required of them.
Mike O'Neill - 2 Year Seat
My goal is progress. My objectives are to:
1) Stabilize fiscal budgeting so that we can move forward we need to look at both revenue and expenses.
a. I would look at our infrastructure and try to begin an improvement of our infrastructure. A lot of our problems are from deferred outlays that should have been done. Just looking at the pier, sewer laterals, sewage treatment plant, and our streets are all examples of nobody minding the store.
2) Look at what is making Pacifica lower on the list for businesses to consider us as a place to invest.
a. I would then fix the zoning, planning, and attitude that has given Pacifica the reputation it has among both residents and non residents.
3) Honest transparent government.
a. Easy to understand budget process that is available
b. Minimize closed session items
c. Be open to talking to anybody and respond back to people
d. Clear goals and objectives with public input
Establish protocol for public meetings which are both an opportunity to get input as well as educate the e. citizens.
4) Hire an Economic Development Director and an assistant
a. Clear direction as to what is needed and wanted
b. Establish timeline and review
c. In the beginning on the council agenda have a report on activities and achievements that will have measured result. This would be done at least monthly. Bimonthly in the beginning
d. Have accountability and responsibility for results
Be an open accessible council person to all voices in the community including residents, businesses, employees, and potential investors in Pacifica. In my fourteen years on the Pacifica School Board I have always returned a phone call or e mail from a constituent.
3) Honest transparent government.
a. Easy to understand budget process that is available
b. Minimize closed session items
c. Be open to talking to anybody and respond back to people
d. Clear goals and objectives with public input
Establish protocol for public meetings which are both an opportunity to get input as well as educate the e. citizens.
4) Hire an Economic Development Director and an assistant
a. Clear direction as to what is needed and wanted
b. Establish timeline and review
c. In the beginning on the council agenda have a report on activities and achievements that will have measured result. This would be done at least monthly. Bimonthly in the beginning
d. Have accountability and responsibility for results
Be an open accessible council person to all voices in the community including residents, businesses, employees, and potential investors in Pacifica. In my fourteen years on the Pacifica School Board I have always returned a phone call or e mail from a constituent.
Victor Spano - 2 Year Seat
I understand that Pacifica will be developing an Economic Development Strategy. Typical Economic Development Strategies include: a defined timed plan for Economic Growth and Job Creation. The plan could identify all vacant land and current land uses, promote tourism, and seek to attract selected types of businesses to the City. It could set benchmarks for progress, and specify types of development the City would like to see for various vacant sites. I would expect a full public vetting of any Economic Development Strategy and the process itself to be controversial. A critical component, either before, or as part of the strategy is to hire an Economic Development Manager who is nearly an "Assistant City Manager Level", or if the capacity to do that is not possible, hire an Economic Development Specialist or even part-time position that performs some Economic Development Tasks because now there is no one other than City Manager or Planning Staff that might provide some information or assistance to would-be entrepreneurs. Following are a few areas that I think an Economic Development Strategy, or in other words, "business plan" should cover:
We need to fill our 45-50 storefronts. The challenge is vast, and the solutions are many. Changing negative perceptions is a formidable challenge. Marketing Pacifica through the "International Council of Shopping Centers", "International Franchising Association" and other trade organizations is a start. I would propose publicizing Pacifica in the San Francisco Business Times as once again "Open for Business". Reaching out to our local "Serial Entrepreneurs" to open up one more business, our retired entrepreneurs, former entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs from other cities are things that an Economic Development Manager, Economic Development Committee members, or even a Council Member can do on a regular basis. Once we have a healthy commercial vacancy rate again, it will be possible to expand the retail space stock. I believe we should seek to attract "Specialty / Destination" retailers here. The Log Shop was a great example of a "Specialty / Destination" store. I would seek out retailers who specialized in Wedding, Baby, Bicycles, Motorcycles, New or Used Vehicles...Jewelry, Fine Art...where each transaction is $100.00 or more. I would incent such businesses to locate here with reduced building permit fees for vacant stores being re-occupied, and a very partial rebate of Sales Taxes, based on City of Dublin program. (see link: http://www.dublin.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1721) We should do things like structure the payment of building permit fees over time, so that they are not all "up front", where someone is occupying an empty space. As a member of the Council, I would act as a "Salesperson" for Pacifica, as all our council-people should do.
We need to develop vacant and underutilized sites. Other than those on the market as seen on the site I maintain, "PacificaOpportunities.com", is there an inventory of vacant land? If not, one should be done. I want to see development at the Quarry which does not inundate Highway 1, and complements the existing Rockaway Beach commercial neighborhood, is fully environmentally vetted, and in the best interest of all Pacificans. I would like to see, and would encourage, new motels or hotels in the Quarry.
The City could potentially be more of a "partner" in co-marketing the Quarry. Some of our Shopping Centers, such as Eureka Square have the potential for adding housing. We should support new investment in our commercial properties. Market Beach Blvd. I suggest marketing the Corp. Yard, as it was once a prime retail site that accommodated Ed Cordero Chevrolet for many years. We can relocate the Corp Yard to one of the closed school sites or elsewhere in the City. These are all actions that could be defined by the Economic Development Strategy.
Economic Development Committee is currently working on: a "Pacifica Small Business Incubator and Workspace", which may fill more than one vacant storefront. This is being designed to be self-sustaining, with no financial contribution from the City of Pacifica. Ideally, we would find a few Pacifica Home Based Service / Retail Businesses who want to grow on a fast-track. A goal or requirement could be that in one year into these businesses that can expand to occupy vacant stores and employ Pacificans. Within the Incubator, they would pay a nominal rent or no rent at all, which would include some services. Linda Mar Shopping Center as a possible location for the Incubator as we recently learned about the KIMCO "KEYS" program (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/kimco-launches-keys-business-incubator-123900084.html), which provides one year free rent and mentoring to start-up businesses. We want to get some assistance from our banks on this, First National Bank is the first one we approached, and they support the idea of making loan or grant to help with equipment and fixtures and technical assistance.... Our next step is to then try to sell this concept to KIMCO as a way to super-charge their "KEYS" program here in Pacifica. Between KIMCO's mentoring, the "technical assistance" we could recruit from experienced Pacifica entrepreneurs, our Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Administration Development Center and the Service Corps of Retired Executives, our micro-entrepreneurs would gain the experience, wherewithal and resources to occupy vacant stores in Pacifica. The "Workspace" element of this, is to provide more "high tech" entrepreneurs with places to "co-work". "Co-Working" is a growing trend where diverse solo entrepreneurs.....the people who you see at Starbucks working on their laptops.... can work and have access to business services, such as conference room, kitchen, reception. NextSpacehttp://www.nextspace.us was suggested to the ED Committee by a resident who had been to one of their facilities. We hope to create an environment like this. The entrepreneurs may some day move into office space of their own. We have tried to interest NextSpace in opening here in Pacifica. Perhaps our Pacifica Facility could welcome their members and derive an income stream using our facility once we get it off the ground. I believe this idea, if properly supported and implemented will be a pipeline of new businesses, concepts and tenant for our existing retail and office space.
We need retain the businesses we have. The City needs to perform a bi-annual business health survey to identify troubled businesses and facilitate technical assistance to retain the jobs, products and services that they provide.
Finally, we have a diverse collection of Visitor Serving businesses: our hotels, restaurants, and others, like Silicon Segway, which are attractions unto themselves. We need to continue to strengthen this area of our Economy. The Chamber's Tourism Committee, of which I am a member, has been discussing ways to increase visits and spending in Pacifica. Making Pacifica a wedding destination, increasing the number of sporting events, film crews, branding, social marketing, are all little actions that can add up.
Susan Vellone - 4 Year Seat
Learning to live within our means. Must be paramount to any future business plans for Pacifica. Finances must be controlled before any adequate planning can possibly take place.
Mary Ann Nihart - 4 Year Seat
Interesting question. Developing a “business plan” to market Pacifica for tourism, new buildings on our vacant lots, and new businesses would make Pacifica, itself, the product. This is an important plan to develop and involves answers I discussed earlier, such as streamlining the planning office and the work begun by the EDC.
With our residents/businesses as the primary recipients of our services and the services our city provides as the product, the financial section of a business is plan is most important. Since I have been on Council we have cut the city general fund budget from over $31 million to about $26.5 million. This represents an overall decrease of more than 11%, mostly through employee compensation cuts and lay offs. We have stopped deficit spending and balanced the budget, but our city is now running at bare bones staffing and decreased service. Plus, we have less than $1 million in reserve. Revenue remains flat at about $26.5 million so as costs continue to rise, we will need to make more cuts just to stay even.
With this as our current financial situation, our goal must be to build a reserve while maintaining our services and infrastructure. In the short term, we must increase revenue or cut service costs. As was recently pointed out, it is simple “arithmetic.” We need to constantly look for ways to generate revenue and improve efficiencies (cost effectiveness) of service. By the end of next year, decisions will have to be made and we will need to bring the market (our residents and businesses) into the decision-making process.
In the long term, we must develop a sustainable economic base. Obviously, cities only receive money (revenue) from grants, fees and taxes, so increasing our sales tax generating businesses (retail, hotels, etc) and our property taxes through new building or remodeling. For example, building out the Beach Blvd property as designed is projected to generate approximately $500,000 per year, plus building commercial establishment on the empty lots on Palmetto will further this increase. These additions are still years away in development, dependent on continued improvement of our country’s economy. Meanwhile, city council members must develop and implement strategies for working with the rest of the county. We need council members to provide strong leadership at the county level, building coalitions, and working with other cities to bring home a better share of dedicated dollars given to the counties to divide among the cities.
Bottom line: We must stop relying on one time monies, continue a balanced budget, find ways to preserve services and decrease costs, while increasing revenue both in the short term and the long term.
Learning to live within our means. Must be paramount to any future business plans for Pacifica. Finances must be controlled before any adequate planning can possibly take place.
Mary Ann Nihart - 4 Year Seat
Interesting question. Developing a “business plan” to market Pacifica for tourism, new buildings on our vacant lots, and new businesses would make Pacifica, itself, the product. This is an important plan to develop and involves answers I discussed earlier, such as streamlining the planning office and the work begun by the EDC.
With our residents/businesses as the primary recipients of our services and the services our city provides as the product, the financial section of a business is plan is most important. Since I have been on Council we have cut the city general fund budget from over $31 million to about $26.5 million. This represents an overall decrease of more than 11%, mostly through employee compensation cuts and lay offs. We have stopped deficit spending and balanced the budget, but our city is now running at bare bones staffing and decreased service. Plus, we have less than $1 million in reserve. Revenue remains flat at about $26.5 million so as costs continue to rise, we will need to make more cuts just to stay even.
With this as our current financial situation, our goal must be to build a reserve while maintaining our services and infrastructure. In the short term, we must increase revenue or cut service costs. As was recently pointed out, it is simple “arithmetic.” We need to constantly look for ways to generate revenue and improve efficiencies (cost effectiveness) of service. By the end of next year, decisions will have to be made and we will need to bring the market (our residents and businesses) into the decision-making process.
In the long term, we must develop a sustainable economic base. Obviously, cities only receive money (revenue) from grants, fees and taxes, so increasing our sales tax generating businesses (retail, hotels, etc) and our property taxes through new building or remodeling. For example, building out the Beach Blvd property as designed is projected to generate approximately $500,000 per year, plus building commercial establishment on the empty lots on Palmetto will further this increase. These additions are still years away in development, dependent on continued improvement of our country’s economy. Meanwhile, city council members must develop and implement strategies for working with the rest of the county. We need council members to provide strong leadership at the county level, building coalitions, and working with other cities to bring home a better share of dedicated dollars given to the counties to divide among the cities.
Bottom line: We must stop relying on one time monies, continue a balanced budget, find ways to preserve services and decrease costs, while increasing revenue both in the short term and the long term.
Karen Ervin - 4 Year Seat
Our main goal is to enhance our citizen’s quality of life and create a desirable environment in which to work, live and enjoy. In order to create an effective business plan that will allow us to accomplish this we need to change the current reputation the city has in terms of welcoming businesses to operate in Pacifica. Streamline the business permitting process and be available to mentor interested entities.
Our main goal is to enhance our citizen’s quality of life and create a desirable environment in which to work, live and enjoy. In order to create an effective business plan that will allow us to accomplish this we need to change the current reputation the city has in terms of welcoming businesses to operate in Pacifica. Streamline the business permitting process and be available to mentor interested entities.
In addition we need to complete the Palmetto revitalization project which will create a beautiful neighborhood lined with outdoor lighting, trees, benches and inviting shops and restaurants in walking distance to a historic golf course, the Pacifica Pier and Sharp Park Beach. Continue to seek out commercial developers interested in developing the Beach Blvd site into an amazing city center.
Our efforts to improve existing businesses in Pacifica by actively engaging owners and their landlords should be going on simultaneously, while working with and aiding the Chamber in developing a strong marketing campaign in order to advertise the many attractions that Pacifica has to offer our visitors. These efforts will allow Pacifica to provide more services to its residents and visitors alike, which will enhance our economic base so essential to our future.
76 comments:
Campbell and Vellone really put some brain power into these answers. Sorry you are so busy Richie Rich.
Only one person knocked on my door campaigning for City Council.
Spano, thus he gets my vote.
Rich Campbell has my vote! I attended one of the many house parties hosted throughout
Pacifica to support his campaign. What a great way to really learn a candidate's stand on the issues. One of our friends, a local real estate agent, was skeptic. She grilled him for two hours! It was quite entertaining, but most of all extremely informative. (You skeptics out there would have loved to see Rich grilled!) Rich Campbell was well informed on the issues and had well thought out strategies for each. We NEED Rich Campbell's experience and leadership on our City Council to move Pacifica forward with "Smart Growth". If you could meet Rich in a forum like I did, you would find he is indeed a great candidate, just like my skeptic friend did. For more information about Rich Campbell, check out his website: http://campbellpacifica2012.com/
pbj campbell comes across as arrogant. I guess he could not be bothered to put any real thought into answering the questions. He should make for a thoughtful council person, who listens to his constituents.
Rich Campbell is just like Vreeland and Romney.
He has every position on everything depending on who's vote he's after.
Pacifica has been devastated by decades of liars. Don't be fooled.
Rich Campbell has run a clean campaign. I talk with him frequently. Not once has he bad-mouthed his competitors. I respect that!
Rich Campbell's position on the issues have remained solid and consistent throughout the campaign. I've seen him from the beginning, and he hasn't changed his tune on any of it, regardless of the audience. You're right he is smooth and likeable. He is a professional negotiator. These are qualities we need on the City Council. We need a representative that can negotiate with developers, move forward our General Plan and attract businesses of character.
we do but Rich Campbell is not that person to move us forward. He will take us three steps backwards. I would not trust him at all. pull the knife out please
Campbells favorite words.
I am an EPA attorney!
Keri, you sound like a nice lady but I have to ask. How long have you known Rich Campbell.
I only ask because you are the only person saying good things about him.
Just wondering?
When Rich Campbell and his supporters say things like "smart growth" it is code for their same anti-progress strategy that has pushed Pacifica to the brink of bankruptcy.
The environment is very important, but because Campbell and his supporters fought every project, development, business we now have no money to protect it.
Rich Campbell is supported by the Sierra Club and all the environmental groups that want to see Sharp Park Golf Course closed. That's because they know he is one of them.
Rich Campbell is the worst possible prospective council person running for office in 2012. He IS supported by all the people who have held up development in Pacifica for 20+ years.
The most important issue for Pacifica in this election is to not elect another Vreeland, Digre or DeJarnett like Rich Campbell.
Both Mike O'Neill and Victor Spano are fantastic candidates that will move Pacifica forward. But only one person can win the 2 year seat against Campbell.
I'm joining the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce in supporting Mike O'Neil who I believe has the best chance of beating Campbell.
Smart Development to a person like Campbell and Vreeland means a pet project like Vreeland, ran through with no planning commission vote or council vote.
Yes, Vreeland snuck a few of these through on his watch.
If you where a surfer that made you a FOV Friend of Vreeland.
Like the little not so secret subdivision!
I'm also a "nice lady" and I too, support Rich Campbell. I'm also a professional working woman who has lived in Pacifica for over 30 years and cares deeply about this town that I am now raising my own children in.
When I think of Rich Campbell's "Smart Growth", I think of a well planned Downtown District that attracts Pacificans and surrounding community members to frequent. Too many of us shop and dine outside Pacifica. We're limited in those areas. I also think of future mix-used housing being well sited in areas that have the infrastructure to handle growth. Mike O'Neil is certainly a dedicated man who has served Pacifica for years. However, when I read on your blog that storage units were approved on coastal lands during his Planning Commission term. And, I heard he is in favor of high-density low-income housing over at Oddstad. That makes me uncomfortable. I want someone who sees the "Big Picture" for a well planned community on City Council. Let's give Pacifica the aesthetic it deserves.
"Smart Growth" is code for no growth.
And anonymous endorsements of candidates should count for nothing.
People who are against high-density housing are by definition NIMBYs and faux-environmentalists. Linda Mar ranchers are by far the most wasteful use of our precious land.
No big national retailer is going to set up shop on Palmetto. Palmetto, will never be the downtown shopping area that the pipe dreamers are dreaming about.
The city doesn't have the money to buy out the trailer park, the wrecking yard(in which is toxic) the businesses along Palmetto and do a complete downtown.
A couple streetlights, underground utilities will not make any nation retailer come here.
Kenny Rogers, said don't fall in love with a dreamer cause they will only let you down.
Campbell has nothing to do with planning The Beach Blvd project even though he tried to take credit for it in an article he posted on the Patch last week. He then retracted the article probably because he realized it may have been illegal for him to comment on something that has not come before the planning commission yet.
Campbell is more of the same. He and his no-growth friends ARE the reason we are almost bankrupt. To elect him would be to hobble our city council with more delayed projects and development because they don't fit their idea of "smart growth", or "the right kind of business"
For 20 plus years Rich Campbell and friends have put their radical environmental agenda above all. Now we're paying the price.
To elect Campbell would be two steps backwards at a time Pacifica has finally gotten rid of Jim Vreeland and Pete Dejarnett and is ready to move forward.
All the other council members (except Sue Digre) and serious candidates agree that electing Rich Campbell would make it much more difficult to save Pacifica from the serious budget crisis we now face.
We don't need an EPA lawyer. Don't do it!
Campbell has a record of violating the Brown Act with impunity. He thinks he's above the law.
From Campbell about retracting his Patch article last week:
10/18/12 "This morning I posted a brief blog concerning the City's release of the draft EIR for the Beach Boulevard Project. Although I was not acting as a city planning commissioner or representing the planning commission, if other planning commissioners responded to the post in Pacifica Patch or any other forum then the risk of running afoul of state open meeting requirements is a possibility if a quorum is reached. Though the risk of this happening is remote, I did not want to create even the appearance of impropriety and so asked the editor to take down my blog post just after it went up after learning of the risk this morning.
I've met and spoken with Rich Campbell and believe he is a good choice to represent Pacifica on the City Council. He is a good listener, creative problem solver, and is focused on on the areas we need most to boost the city's revenue base:
1. Get GENERAL PLAN approved (we've waited 20+ years for this). Uncertainty is not good for wooing developers.
2. Emphasize development in Palmetto Avenue, and the former site of the water treatment plant. Wider sidewalks with trees to draw more foot traffic. Mixed use to allow business growth and residential growth to match.
3. Preserve and promote the natural attractions that bring people to Pacifica (open space, trails, clean beaches)
I want a council member who is willing to ask the right questions to solve our problems, not an ideologue who comes to the table thinking they already know all the answers.
Rich has the qualities I am looking for, and I look forward to voting for him.
Steve Sinai said "anonymous endorsements of candidates should count for nothing." Agreed. By that standard, Rich Campbell has the most endorsements on this blog.
I am shocked and saddened by the lack of information displayed in these comments.
Rich is in support of the golf course remaining a golf course.
He is against the widening of the highway because it will hurt local BUSINESS, not the environment.
He is on the planning committee, and has approved many many projects, including the new Surf Spot, which is bring actual money into the city.
Please, before you post your opinion, before you VOTE, take the time to learn some facts and make an educated decision.
That Campbell is a responsible guy! Hutch, I'm glad you included Rich's quote on the Beach Boulevard Project. It clarifies the matter. Rich violating the Brown Act simply never happened.
Be careful what you believe people. If it lies with snakes then it probably be a snake.
If Campbell supports the Golf Course remaining open why does he accept the support of the Sierra Club and all the groups who have been trying to close it for years?
The Sierra Club says:
"Rich's resume looks like something Sierra Club might have crafted if we were trying to conjure a 'dream' candidate with impeccable green credentials. Rich is an environmental attorney who began his career working with Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund (now Earthjustice), and [who] works today for the Environmental Protection Agency."
Ask the other council people, Mary Ann and Len if they think Rich Campbell is someone they would want to work with.
Then ask the other candidates Vellone and Ervin if they would rather work with someone else.
The answer you will get is please don't vote for Campbell.
So the only person that is or will be on our City Council that supports Rich Campbell is an outcast and is known for muttering to herself about sea level rising while causing endless delays to our progress is Sue Digre?
Nice!
Anon 654, responsible would have been not posting the article in the first place. And only taking it down because someone read it and told him it violates the Brown Act.
Anon 633, look at Mr. Campbell's answer to the question versus the other candidates responses. They were all thoughtful responses. Attorney Campbell should be able to write more than one line about his business plan. It shows an arrogance on his part. These questions were asked by the chamber of commerce to each candidate. Mr. Campbell has not offered anything substantial in his answers. They have always been short and sometimes off the cuff. How can I vote for some who makes these one line statements when I am learning his positions?Maybe you should check the facts. Funny how these people are coming out on this blog supporting him now. Where y'all been? Vote O'Neil!
All the NIMBYs say they're for economic development and try to sound reasonable when they run for City Council. Campbell sounds exactly like than Digre, DeJarnatt, Vreeland and Lancelle did when they ran, and look at the mess they left us.
Campbell's record includes passing a monster home ordinance, where a monster home is defined as barely above the average size of a new home in California. The objective was to add more red-tape to building in Pacifica, thus discouraging development. Another Planning Commissioner quit because she was fed up with the ideological no-growth position of the Planning Commission.
Campbell also defended the Planning Commission's Brown Act violation. As the Planning Commission chairman, there was no way he was unaware of the scheme by local NIMBYs to try to use the Planning Commission to block Highway 1 improvements, even though the Planning Commission is not supposed to be involved in the process.
A vote for Campbell is a vote for the same do-nothing, go-nowhere policies that have characterized City Council for the last 10 years.
Where's nuk nuk when you need him?
Yeah, Campbell is for the Golf Course remaining open except all the groups supporting him are fighting to close it.
Campbell irresponsibly posts an article acting like he is responsible for the Beach Blvd project and then you say he is a responsible person for taking it down.
I can go on or you guys can go back to Riptide where they believe your crap.
Campbell is going to win and you can thank Spano and the Pacifica brain trust that puts together a losing strategy every election. Way to go Masters of the Universe!
Campbell plus Ervin plus Nihart and you have a group that doesn't make a move without a weathervane, has solid enviro support, and has never seen a tax they didn't love. Out of the frying pan and into the fire!
I learned that Rich Campbell was running for City council a few months ago, when my wife and I were in the midst of a bureaucratic permit scuffle with the city. The onerous and tedious variance/permit processes had at that point delayed our efforts by 10 months. Speaking directly with Rich, I learned he was very sympathetic to the situation, and he's keen on eliminating the red tape to facilitate both residential and commercial development -- what he called smart development.
What is smart development? Here's my take on it, after speaking with Rich on a number of occasions: development that leverages Pacifica's unique qualities (primarily location) to lure businesses that generate sustainable income without compromising the natural beauty where we live.
Does anyone think a recycling yard, trailer park, or storage facility is a good use of ocean front property? I have no issues with those businesses, other than the fact that it's a waste of a great location. Being close to San Francisco, the airport and Silicon Valley, we should be able to attract businesses that can consistently generate a decent revenue. I don't know if Palmetto is the best place, but we should be selective and smart with how we develop this town. Personally, I'd like to see more dining options and some spillover of that tech boom in the city and peninsula.
Blanketing the hills with new homes would not create a sustainable revenue stream. There may be an initial influx of funds, but the future revenue stream would be limited to property taxes; so we'd be no better off than today-- only that we'd have traded our open spaces to look like Daly City.
I think Rich will take a measured approach to find the right kind of development that will benefit the city without compromising its natural beauty.
@728 Campbell scares the crap out of those ninnies. They'd prefer a nice pliable colleague like Ervin who won't rock the boat or steal the limelight. Spano's probably a close second. Vellone and O'Neill way too independent.
Alp, you and Rich act like we have so many businesses trying to take root in Pacifica that we're beating them off with sticks. Frankly, that is a very naive and destructive viewpoint, and one that our council can no longer afford.
Alp, nobody is talking about blanketing the hills with homes. That's just a scare tactic used by folks like you and Campbell's anti housing supporters..
We can't afford to pick and choose what kinds of businesses come into Pacifica. We just need businesses.
Campbell's naivete on market supply and demand is frightening.
Another thing, notice Campbell never mentions new homes as a way to increase our general fund. That's because he wrongly believes they won't generate income for the city.
Hopefully he does not get elected or we're in for it.
To elect Campbell would be two steps backwards at a time Pacifica has finally gotten rid of Jim Vreeland and Pete Dejarnett and is ready to move forward.
You forgot Julie Lancelle. Sue Digree, is stuck over on the far island solo.
Keri
I asked you yesterday, How long have you known Campbell?
Have you done business with him and the EPA?
Campbell can get grilled for 2 hours and get grilled for 20 questions and give 100 different answers. It is what attorney's do best.
I spoke with a friend who applied for the planning commission the same time as Campbell.
He gave me his notes and they said his answer for every question started:
"As an attorney for the EPA . . ."
This is Campbell's first and foremost thought in everything he wants to do for the city.
He does not understand or support "smart growth" and the notes also say he wants the smallest possible development footprint for the Quarry. He does not support any changes to Highway 1.
Campbell was appointed by Dejarnatt, Digre, Lancelle, and Vreeland.
If you think their legacy is what Pacifica needs to move forward, vote for Campbell.
If you are tired of a broke city choked by radical environmentalists who care nothing for building a local economy, vote for anyone else
@629 Hit your snooze button. That's typical Pacifica loser strategy you're spouting, "vote for anyone else". Do that and you guarantee Campbell wins. Guarantee. He'll deliver the enviro agenda and nobody on this bonehead council is his match. Mike O'Neill is the only one with enough voter/name recognition to capture the uninvolved voters on November 6th. Get behind him and get him elected. He also happens to be the best qualified. O'Neill has common sense, he's faced and resolved complex, large-scale problems, and he's nobody's puppet. Stop Campbell, vote for Mike O'Neill.
Demanding that keri tell us how long she has known campbell and then signing off as an anon is laughable. i disagree with keri, however, at least she signs her name.
I voted for Campbell.
All the hippies, nimby's and anti progress folks will vote for Campbell. Peter Loeb, Jim Vreeland, Sue Digress and the rest of the environmental nuts that have hurt Pacifica all support Campbell. So if you're a proud member of that group then go ahead and vote for him.
@9:00 Thanks for nothing! Guess we haven't quite hit rock bottom, yet.
Campbell USA bit of an egotist and arrogant. I was talking to a Campbell supporter and she said he was responsible for getting chocolate milk of the school lunch menu. I attend most school board meetings since my kids are at Ortega and I was at the school board meeting when they decided to remove it from the menu. I do not recall seeing Mr. Campbell at that meeting, so if he wasn't there then how could he be responsible for getting it off the menu. Maybe the board was afraid if they didn't remove it then he would throw it at them.
Let's continue our support for O'Neil! Twice now Richie Rich has tried to take credit for something that wasn't his doing. We do not need to elect someone like him.
Rich Campbell provided the leadership in improving the quality of school lunch. Cassandra, that's fantastic that you're an involved parent who attends School Board meetings, me too! The effort to improve school lunches was a lengthy one. Rich spent numerous hours researching, gathering the public's support and working with the School Board & Sedexo to make the change happen. I was there at those initial meetings. What you saw was the result of his great leadership. He makes things happen. His quest to make school lunch even better is not over yet. There's still room for improvement. We have a fantastic School Board!!! Thanks for seeing this through, when you have so many pressing issues on your plate!
I agree Jimmy, I fully support Mike O'Neill. If you do too ask for a lawn or window sign, donate to the campaign and or volunteer to help.
ilikemike2012@yahoo.com
www.mikeforpacifica.com
Gee Cassandra, your flawed logic is not a big asset to Mike's campaign. Please stand down. Mike's record speaks for itself, loud and clear to anyone who's interested in progress and a proven leader who will move this city forward. Keep the focus on that.
Still, with the lunches? That's the Campbell claim to fame? Hahaha, I guess so. It's not about lunch!
Do a Google search for "Rich Campbell throws PB&J sandwich at school board.
The guy is unbalanced
Keri
Duck when Campbell throws another peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
I love it how the Campbell shills jump on here trying to defend him, then never answer a simple question.
8:01 am. Keri is a pretty lady but no she won't date you! Give up!
Does anyone find it odd that both sup[porters of Campbell here have professional photos of themselves?
They've never posted on this blog before so they're being sent here by Campbell.
Campbell, is a shrewd one I must say.
Get a couple people to go on the blogs to say he is the greatest!
The last thing we need on council is another Pacifica Attorney!!
I suspect Campbell doesn't make it regular practice to frequent this blog. I was the one who mentioned it to a few friends. I stumbled upon it when I was researching candidates. I want to be well informed before I vote... Well fellows, it's been fun chatting, have to get back to the real world. This blog is a time suck! I'll check back in on Nov. 7th. Wishing all the candidates the best.
"Does anyone find it odd that both sup[porters of Campbell here have professional photos of themselves?"
I'm still not voting for Campbell, but I appreciate that they're using their names.
@1130 Nonsense, but I guess that's the best you can come up with. No, I'm no fan of Campbell but all your clumsy flailing around may create some.
I'm still not voting for Campbell, but I appreciate that they're using their names.
If someone wins by one vote I will give you credit Sinai.
Had Fix Pacifica, Patch and Riptide got behind a candidate or two maybe we would have better people on city council
ONeil is a sign stealer. Plus he breaks his own signs to blame it on the other people running for city council.
Plus he badmouths them. Typical unprofessional Pacifica Realtor.
Unethical, lies, bad mouths other people running, unprofessional. That is why people are listing with so many out of Pacifica Realtors.
Not that ONeil ever sold a house.
Hutch, since you're keeping track of upholding the law... I got a Mike O'Neil postcard in my mailbox last week with no postage.
Since O'Neil doesn't seem to be aware, let him know this is a federal offense. I hope O'Neil doesn't end up in the slammer over this one!
_____________________________________
Spano, Spano, he's our man!
Have some balls before making false accusations unless you stop hiding behind your anonymous moniker.
Stealing signs? Laughable. No postage? Ridiqulous.
My guess is the person touting Spano is a Campbell supporter playing games.
All you have to do is read some of the most recent comments on this thread to know what's wrong with Pacifica. We need a change.
O'Neill on November 6th. O'Neill.
Nice going Sinai, the only good looking lady posting here and you chase her away.
Campbell, was hand picked by Vreeland, Julie, Sue, and Pete. He works with Vreeland.
What part of he will do nothing to fix Pacifica don't you people understand.
ABC=anyone but campbell
Keri Ayers,
You seem like a nice lady. I'm guessing you are friends with Rich Campbell. You most likely know him because your kids are the same age or you’re neighbors or something like that. That’s great. But have you been involved in Pacifica politics at all? The Campbell campaign has sent you on a fool’s errand to try to convince people he isn't as bad as he seems. If that’s correct then why does Sue Digre, Pete DeJarnatt, Leo Leon, Nancy Hall and the other opponents of progress support him? Has that crowd suddenly become more progressive? No. The reality is Campbell is the most like them. He was their appointment to the Pacifica Planning Commission. You are not going to be able to sell him to the people in Pacifica who know Pete, Sue, and Jim V. have been screwing this city up for the last 15 years. If Spano or O'Neill win, Digre will have no allies on city council. If Campbell wins she will have one. That is the reality. Sue is loosing her political ally Pete this year. You may as well change your campaign slogan to “give Sue Digre an ally on council”. NO THANKS!!
ABC is a poor strategy that will allow the NIMBYs to easily elect Campbell as the anti-NIMBY votes get diluted. I voted for O'Neill because he's the only one with a chance to defeat Campbell. I hope Spano runs again so I can vote for him.
ABC is the loser's strategy so typical of Pacifica. How many times must we see fools turn a good chance for victory into another defeat? Vote for O'Neill. O'Neill has a chance to beat Campbell. Spano does not. A vote for Spano is really a vote for Campbell. Don't do it!
Yeah, Campbell and Sue would be allies, but the real danger is that Campbell can and will persuade others to create a majority. He'll quickly become the leader in that bunch. He's the negotiator and he has no match among them. They'll all be nodding along like bobbleheads singing Kumbaya and congratulating each other on their ability to work together. Group hug and no clue of the damage they do.
Vote for O'Neill to stop the nightmare.
Come on you must admit even moonbeam Mondfrans, answers are much better then Campbell. Richie Rich, thinks he has it in the bag. Just like so many people were bs'd by Vreeland, the same with Campbell.
This Keri lady seems like a nice lady But I have the feeling she is being mislead by the nobees and hippies.
was mondfrans in this just to split the votes? good job. he'll take a few hundred and we're screwed. it's the schlesinger effect all over again
Monfrans is the green candidate. Didn't you hear? Yeah he said he'll protect the wildlife. Yeah he is really the green candidate I hope he doesn't win.
at least he's not one of those tea potty whackos
My boyfriend Brenty-Poo is endorsing Gary Mondfrans. Rich Campbell wants to turn Pacifica into Daly City.
@550 we should live so long and be so lucky
sales tax, business, industry, drool
I like Gary Monfrans. He's against turning highway one into a 6 lane freeway.
If I thought Campbell or anyone else could give us Daly City's economic power I'd vote for them. The reality is that Campbell is a very smart guy who is not willing to do what it takes to grow
Pacifica. Any doubts about that? Just look at the organizations and individuals who support him. No-growthers and people who think taxes are the answer to every crisis. No thanks!
The Sierra club endorced Richie Rich Campbell
More the reason not to vote for him
Wow Campbell managed to string together a once sentence development policy. After how many years on the PC?? Brilliant! I vote for him!
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