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125 comments:
Looking for that Caltrans endorsement, Eric. That's the only one that counts.
Hmmm surprise surprise, all the people that supported Eric in Measure V. Next will be the Teamsters Police Union.
This guy is the council fav. Your council, Fixies. I'd expect Fix to embrace him and overlook that tax thing, the Library, keep looking, what's gotta be a soft spot for city employees and their pensions and a politically nuanced overabundance of caution when it comes to highway widening. In the spirit of Don Cornelius..show a little love for the Big E.
here we go again with another ladder climbing career politician in the making
can anyone describe a single opinion this guy holds about anything? ANYTHING?!
He has no opinions. He "will promise to be a collaborative leader, communicate with the community and work with you to create the best solutions possible." What more do you want? Oh, you probably want to know where he stands on some of the important issues facing Pacifica. Well, tough rocks you big baby.
I can assure you that some of us that argued with Eric from the get go on V support him now. Because you don't agree with someone does not mean you are forever opposed to them. That is a detriment to progress. Heaven knows that mindset has worked against Pacifica for years. All this talk about his dogma is nonsense. Eric is a good man wanting to do his best for Pacifica. Don't vote for him if you wish. Don't make stuff up.
550 He was a strong supporter of Measure V, the utility tax increase, and he is a strong supporter of a new library. He's also a retired city employee (PPD) who was very active in their union. Easy to see why council might favor him. Who needs words when you've got actions to go by?
If Mr Ruchames' only oponnent was a tree, I'd vote for the tree because at least I know where the tree stands on things (in my side yard).
You don't fill the info vacuum, someone else will. Posters comments are on his known stance on V, the library and ties to the police officers union. That's not speculation. The quote made by 643 is from campaign materials--again, not speculation. The lack of a position on highway widening will certainly provoke speculation. It's seems to be a gamble he's willing to take.
719 could be a write-in candidate
I agree with Jim, just because you disagree with someone on one issue you can't hold that against them forever.
Sorry to say that I really can't find much on the major issues that I agree with Eric on. He's a good guy but when I consider the library, highway, taxes, outsourcing, union and PD influence I just can't see it.
726 is dropping some wisdom here. Right on.
Since Ruchames won't define himself, people will form their own conclusions.
Pro V so he's all for increased taxes.
Pro library, so he's foe closing Sanchez and all for a $30 million bond (another tax).
ex local police, so you know he won't take a hard line or cut any bennies for his friends.
Expect a future of increased costs to the city if you vote for Ruchames.
Would love to hear that I'm wrong, but the dude won't state any opinion or position on an-y-thing which is some weak-ass politics. No thanks.
Jim - who is making stuff up? What stuff did they make up?
Endorsed by the SMC Labor Council, hmm, might be worth a few votes out here. The endorsement by SAMCAR I take as predictive rather than influential. In the last few years they've gone from endorsing candidates who they hope may win to identifying candidates they think will win and embracing them. Kumbaya, baby. All part of that collaborative, blended and blurred, gov't by confusion uh consensus thing we have going on in Pacifica. No more effective so far than the old open battles with their winners and losers. Just different.
Anonymous 5:50pm said, "here we go again with another ladder climbing career politician in the making."
How silly. A retired long time Pacifican who has dedicated countless volunteer hours to the community serving on the Pacifica School District Board of Trustees and other organizations. That makes you a "ladder climbing career politician"?
Measure V was endorsed big time and still lost.Measure V 66% no voters still out there.
I wonder if we have a double-dipper in our future...oh Don ?!
Hmmmmmmm...
former public employee now drawing a public pension CHECK!
endorsed by the requisite political class CHECK!
issues trite and ultimately meaningless campaign statements CHECK!
refuses to take a stance on a single issue CHECK!
Yep, we got ourselves a real doozy of a wannabe pol
5:50
Ladder climbing politicians. This guy is over 60.
No politician from Pacifica is making the move over the hill.
No Mary Ann on this list. I thought Eric, was one of her library buddies.
Regarding past fix pacifica posting:
http://fixpacifica.blogspot.com/2014/06/daly-city-mayor5th-supervisorial.html
I am wondering if Mr. Ruchames approves of his friend and former Leland Yee aide/Daly City Mayor David Canepa removing minutes videos of Council meetings from the Daly City website? That is not exactly "open government." Canepa is listed as an endorser on Mr. Ruchames website. I can't support him if he accepts that endorsement, that is like SO fascist. Remember the Hannah Arendt quote ".....Only crime and the criminal, it is true, confront us with the perplexity of radical evil; but only the hypocrite is really rotten to the core."
IMO Ruchames is the epitome of what is wrong with this city. He would be even worse than Keener. Believes more taxes are the answer, coddle city employees, waste money on a $$$$ library, bow to unions. I believe his silence on highway 1 widening speaks volumes.
His slick website reminds me very much of the big money unions that supports him. This is measure V 2.0.
731 Hey, he's the non-committal candidate and she's the non-committal mayor. Maybe a public endorsemnt is beneath our mayor. Mein Gott! What if she endorsed and he lost!! Nah, they've got too much in common for her not to be on his side. School crowd and library crowd, trades and unions--just make out that name plate.
Ruchames is O'Neill's candidate that's why Mary ann is not endorsing him (yet).
109 Ohhh. Maybe looking like an obvious council favorite is not without risks.
ENOUGH with pie in the sky pontifications about what you will do. "I will lower taxes. I will bring business to town." Yeah, and I wanna cure cancer and end all war. What I want to know is exactly HOW you are going to do whatever you say you want to or will do. Anyone can make promises that sound good. I want to know if you have a plan and what you've done so far.
Pacifica City Council has always resembled a bunch of people in those cheap plastic chairs, cabled together back to back and trying to avoid a bunch of snapping crocs. Your left, not that left, your other left, yeah.
And speaking of potential double dipping... Paging Mr. Spano .... Mr. Spano to the trough please.
Hey, this Rushames guy is old news already as is the quarry and widening, and I'm not leaving out the anemic candidacies of O'Niell and Spano. Can you not think of something a bit more controversial to post for us to bicker about? I mean... COME ON ALREADY
517, other than you, do you really think anyone cares that Eric Ruchames (retired police sergeant) or Victor Spano (Economic Coordinator) had jobs with cities?
Victor Spano, with a background in Economic Development, and municipal experience would be a real advantage to this city. A "yes" vote for Victor Spano is a no-brainer. From his stated and not stated civic goals, some of us are not so sure yet about Eric Ruchames.
Nevertheless, people deserve to be paid. Do you really think its fair, practical, or wise to ask our city council members to work for nothing? Campaigns cost a whole lot of money, and the job is time consuming, and frequently thankless. Think working for nothing is an added incentive to do what's needed this time to fix Pacifica?
Bray show us the letter Peebles attorney's sent you!
We all want to see!
Show us put up or shut up.
IMHO it's wonderful that old public employees have found meaningful, sometimes even lucrative second careers as politicians. The little part-time gig in Pacifica isn't exactly lucrative since cafeteria cash ended, but it's a gig. It's a wonder more of them don't try it. They bring a wealth of insider knowledge to the table. That's good, right?
517 My goodness, you are right. Spano and Ruchames potential double dippers. Although I don't think Pacifica is much of a dip, compensationally speaking, of course.
Ruchames is for putting $30 million on the taxpayer credit card to fund a new library and was gung ho for Measure V.
He's sure liberal with other people's money.
JUST SAY NO!
711 If we think the library is a bad idea then the danger with electing Ruchames is in combination with Nihart and her shadow. That's three votes for a library right there. Tinfow worked in Walnut Creek where, despite the voters rejecting a library bond, the city council managed to push it through. Money problems dog Walnut Creek and the library. I don't know if the perfect storm could happen here, but do we really want to risk it. They're in a money spending mood.
We sure don't need Eric Ruchames on Council joining the "City Accounting Illiterates"who did not know budget deficit existed.San Mateo County is going to abolish Harbor District because exactly same Commissioner negligence.Council candidates should watch 20 Aug 14 Harbor Commission video on the what happens when the books do not balance.
1129 Note to self. Next time we see the city council( this one and the previous) spend freely on Beach Blvd plans, an army of consultants, surveys and nonsense, all the while begging the public for mo' money, we should have someone check the books. Pretty clear it's been going on for a longtime and right under council's noses and they're not that dumb. They had no idea, my ass! They just couldn't find the words. At least they brought in a CM from outside.
Mary Ann was a State Employee and currently works for the Veterans Administration, Does this make her a double dipper also?
"...and they're not that dumb."
Uh, you might want to sit down for this...
Yes, Mary Ann is a double dipper too. She's been double dipping so long while on council you could say she's yodeling in the valley, she dips so much.
Add Spano and Rushames into the mix and there will be three public employees on council, two retired and one current. Seems to me there is a built in majority for taxing the poor, like me, to pay the rich, like them. No doubt Ruchames' interested in running for council is protecting his pension, and Spano wants to play the big boss man with other peoples money.
Hum,
That's a stretch Todd.
I wouldn't call the pittance council gets double dipping. At least they have served in some way. Keener hasn't done anything in the 7 years he's been here. No volunteering, no letters, no meetings, no nothing.
8:52 has a bad case of paycheck envy.
Take two aspirins twice daily and call me in the morning.
Pay the girl at the window that will be $200.00
Todd 852, "hum", the city should reflect your personal state of being "poor", while you interfere with, rather than support, significant city improvement through economic development, and even highway widening. Don't you think that being "poor" is way overrated?
Time for the city to move on. Victor Spano will be a hero, as will two others if they can bring prosperity to this city.
Hopefully this time, we will elect an effective city council majority (3) to bring in needed economic change (big improvement), and they will all be paid to do the job we elected them to do.
I am no fan of Len Stone but respected him for his pledge that while the city was proposing layoffs of firefighters, he would not take a salary for serving on City Council.
I expect that Spano and Ruchames do the same. Yes they are "entitled" to a salary but if they are going to sit in judgement of taxes collected and spent while Pacifica is in dire financial straits then they need to either disclose their own personal finances to justify their entitlement or they need to "check their privilege". It may not be a lot of money as some claim - which means they won't miss it - but it sure is a statement of responsibility for those who claim they are running to serve Pacifica.
This goes DOUBLE for Mary Ann Nihart, to whom we will proudly gice another laurel and hearty handshake, if she would only leave us in peace.
1056, I am a fan of Councilmember Len Stone, and I'm sorry he chose not to run for city council again. And possibly that choice was made because he did not accept salary. Not accepting salary for a political position is a very bad idea from my view.
Why should a politician work for nothing? Would you work for nothing for 4 years, or if reelected 8 years-- and (in this city) pay each time to run a campaign (with some help from the public)?
You get what you pay for, as for these no salary people, I don't know what they gave us recently, other than a 4 million dollar hole and the flop of Measure V. I say pay them the chump change or expenses or both.
Ms Meeh, you say: "Not accepting salary for a political position is a very bad idea.."
So then why would a politician work for nothing? Because he/she can afford to do so, it's that simple. Most candidates who want to be on City Council usually go through the route of serving on Boards, committees, commissions etc. They do so voluntarily, because they believe they can bring something to the table and serve the community, not for financial gain.
If that is such a bad idea as you say then all those who serve the public in commissions may be doing us a disservice???
Eric Ruchames current linkedin page says he is "Self-Employed". Tell us Eric, what is does your self-employment consist of. How about the transparency you promise???? How is he even drawing his retirement benefits while employed? Will he be a TRIPLE-DIPPER ????
Nihart a triple dipper? She should run the city's finances as well as she runs her own. Double dippers have become so common in politics. Hey, when you discover a good thing, why not go back for more and more and more.
Idealism, self-sacrifice and leading by example don't pay the bills. That would seem to cover one of those salaries collected by the multi-dippers. But there are plenty of examples of politicians who waived salaries or refused the perks of office, often during economic turn downs or war. They make the history books. No doubt many others, like our own Len Stone, are making that statement to smaller audiences. Public service at no charge to the public. It's always admirable.
11:52 is a fiscal genius. Just like Bray!
Kathy I have to disagree with you about Lennie.
Out of one side of his mouth he said he wants open government, out of the other side he is just as sneaky and underhanded, bottom of the deck dealing as Mary Ann.
151, there is a culture of political, economic and cultural confusion in this city. We must do better with clarity for this city to move forward and survive.
Councilmember Len Stone deserves credit for the good sense he did bring to city council, and he usually voted with 3 other council members, vote 4-1, (Sue Digre was frequently the dissenting vote). With a different city council, things could be a whole lot worse, and have been in the past.
As Mayor, Len Stone was the first to establish city council goals. That is significant, although seemingly city council has yet to act on their #1 goal, economic development. You may not like Measure V (the utilities phone tax) they all signed on to, but this city needs revenue as always.
Each Council member,Commissioner,and Committee member acts as a representative of the public. As soon as any of them seek to withhold information from the public they are failing in their duties. Their job is to represent us not replace us. Stay informed and get the answers you need to make informed voting decisions and keep your representatives on their toes.
Triple dipping! That's a new one for me. Cop, council member, most likely some sort of security business like most retired cops.
It's up to the people of Pacifica if they want a new Library. Just as who they want for Council. Not pundits
that use this site for their own political persuasion.
Anon@ 2:58, I would have agreed with you 6 years ago, but the city has developed a habit of not including the public on items of expense in favor of listing them on the consent calendar. That IMHO is the legacy of Nihart and Rhodes.
But the people will make the best choice(s) they can.
IMHO Todd, please lay off Steve Rhodes. If you can read an agenda, you can see what is on consent and ask a Councilperson to remove it for further discussion. I have also seen citizens ask at Council meetings to remove something from consent for discussion. The City Manager works for the Council..not the other way around.
258 Absolutely right! It's up to the people to decide. And that should start with open, full disclosure of unspun, au naturel facts and info on a timely basis with honest effort made to put it before the public. Ain't happening in Pacifica. This council under the obvious leadership of Nihart and Stone has made a mockery of the consent agenda, the public's right to know and the public process good gov't is based upon. The thought of them with more yes men/women at their side is appalling.
Kathy, Expertise, commitment to progress and smart development are not mutually exclusive with true public service performed at no charge to the public.
Council has a built in patsy with any city manager and they know it and use it liberally. That's the nature of a city manager's job. CMs do not have easy jobs and the inner-struggle was there more than once for Mr. Rhodes, but like anyone in a senior-level position, you complain up, not down. It's a council with sneaky tendencies. Start with that.
820 "Slick website" is anything but. It was setup and is updated by volunteers and the candidate using wix which costs under $10 a month.
252 Lotsa stuff is thrown, very little sticks.
There's no getting around Ruchames being an x Pacifica cop and city employee union leader. He spent much of his career trying to get more for his brothers from taxpayers. He though his police union gave a lot of money to try to pass measure v which would have most likely benefited city employees. And the police and other unions support Eric now for the same reason they supported the phone tax.
That's not even taking into account the library and highway.
I'd say plenty is sticking to him 331.
412 There ya go! That sticks because it's the man's actual history. Up to everyone to judge whether it's a problem for them or not. The "slick website" remark was weightless fluff.
That list of Ruchames endorsements, organizations section, is loaded with unions, SMC Labor Council.
Ruchames supporters:
Pacifica Police Supervisors Association
Pacifica Police Officers Association
Teamsters Union, Local 856
Teamsters Union, Local 350
San Mateo County Central Labor Council
Kalimah Salahuddin
Linda Jonas
Susan Vellone
Bruce Banco
Ginny Jaquith
Same people who supported V
If he gets in they will try it again
"As a volunteer member of the Pacifica Library Foundation I’ve worked hard to move the process forward to bring a new modern library to our community." - Eric Ruchames
In other words close the Sanchez Library and put us another 30 million dollars in debt.
6:43. Don't worry lose any sleep worrying about *that*.... These unions and these people, who all supported Measure V...an utter failure...were defeated. Measure V is a symbol of the diminishing influence of municipal labor unions. Teamsters 856 represents the highest paid middle managers, all over $100K salaries, while the ranks of other unions have been decimated through attrition, outsourcing and layoffs. While the unions put down the cash, they could not deliver the foot soldiers. I'm not so sure Ruchames will win in a landslide like some pundits may proffer....using the same groups and tactics, but even if he does, let's not conclude his agenda includes producing another Measure V.
Measure V was flawed in my view, primarily because right-wing elements of the chamber did not support it, and these elements, or persons, were potent enough to create a flier and distribute a flier that was very compelling. The flier, by Mr. Geraghty, was a Luminous Touchstone that led to residents rejecting and repudiating Measure V. There was a certain degree of wrath, spite, anger and enormous amount of energy expended to defeat V by the small group of No on V activists.
I pose the question can that same energy be harnessed to harvest from our fellow Pacifica residents the dollars that we need here in Pacifica....to meet the pension obligations, fix the sewage treatment plant and build a new library on Palmetto?
5:02...Your way with words tickles me with delight.
The bond is $30 million. Who knows what the final bill to taxpayers will be after interest is tacked on.
729 Aww shucks. Thanks for the shout out. I agree with your analysis. Gerughty turned the tide. He elevated the tone of the opposition. Who better to skewer a tax measure than a CPA?
I fully expect Ruchames to win a seat, but I don't see that as a change in how Pacificans view tax measures. Not at all. He happens to have the name recognition and organized support that it takes to win. I don't think its issue-related support. It's personal. He's popular. Hard to beat that.
735 I wouldn't rule out anything. Ms. Tinfow's alma mater, The City of Walnut Creek, managed to build a new library after the bond measure was soundly defeated. Struggling to keep it open, but they got it built after the public said no.
141I disagree. I never heard of Eric Ruchames before this election. Victor Spano yes. I think a lot more people know Victor from his run at council last time.
Spano is also #1 on the ballot which may be worth a few 100 extra votes.
People do care about paying more taxes. If Ruchames is known as pro tax that will turn voters off.
Whenever someone uses the word 'nimby' I just skip their post because there won't be anything worth reading. Four of them and I assume it's a post from a homeless guy shouting from a street corner at invisible demons.
9:27
Back over on Riptide hippie!
927, NIMBY (not in my back yard) is exactly what we're dealing with in this city. "Gang of NO", may even be a better description.
A balanced economy is exactly what is needed, yet some of you fight, confuse and obstruct every element of significant improvement in this city. Additionally, there is no compromise from such anti-progress ideology which is bent on destroying this city.
Why should consideration be given to the twisted language and actions of people who can neither count nor reason? And why should such obstructionists be placated? 30 years of brainwashing in this city may take 300 years of recovery, if its possible. Enough!
937, don't you have a trail to figure out how to pay for?
937, yeah its probably a good idea to eliminate all other trails, and figure-out how to take back all that federal land gifted or sold to parks (as those prior city councils and their NIMBY friends continued to fake an economy in this city). Keep the State trail, since it connects to all other coastal cities from Oregon to Mexico. That's just neighborly.
Kathy, even with their Tiffany and Neiman Marcus and all the other retail, Walnut Creek struggles financially and has trouble maintaining hours for their glorious (it truly is beautiful) library. Don't whip out the nimby gun--I'm for development--just saying it's no guarantee of prosperity and that's the puzzle. I think what happens is that cities do what people do with their spending. They spend more when they make more and when costs inevitably go up or revenue contracts they can't react fast enough to maintain a balance.
Re: 8:54, Amen! The City of Pacifica refuses to hear bona-fide offers on Beach Blvd, even from associates of the mayor herself...which could bring needed cash now to fill the 4 million dollar deficit hole. Members of the chamber and many residents are Aghast such offers have been ignored! This whole library scheme is totally nuts, fruit loops and lucky charms. You are right Kathy, it is not revenue neutral. If the council chooses to indebt the residents for the library against the wishes of the residents, look for a recall of any council member who votes to do a "a la walnut creek library financing scheme". Get ready for a rumble, even bigger than Measure V!
I watched Eric's video in his website. Near the end, he says in rather deadpan, as if he were not sure himself, the Beach Blvd site will be put up for sale in the fall? Is he sure of that? It's fall now? Which fall? Fall of 2015? Fall of 2016? When lemmings return from the sea? We are always on the cusp of the property being marketed, arent we? Two years from now will some candidates say "we are marketing in the fall?". Little credibility from this favorite candidate, who is speaking in the same tongue as Mary Ann, Karen and Stone. We Pacificans are fed up from years of empty promises from children who cry wolf regarding Beach Blvd.
851 Less campaigning and more reality. Ruchames is very well known and well-regarded for decades of public service. School board has launched many council careers. Ballot position does play a small role. 2.5 to 5 % bump for primacy or latency in ballot order. With 7 candidates, it's the names in the middle who suffer most. Undecided walk-in voters see a list, take in the first couple names and skip to the bottom. Mail-in voters, which is about 50% in Pacifica, are much more diligent and reduce the effect of primacy and latency.
Hey Kathy, the problem is "those people" aren't on the outside "obstructing" progress. They're on the inside, masquerading as pro-growth. And there's no one waiting in the wings with the presence, let alone the agenda, to change that situation. Start there.
1038 yes, Walnut Creek struggled to put together a city library, and they completed the project following the aftermath of the great recession. There were cutback to complete the project. And just as you said about Walnut Creek, and cities economics in general: "They spend more when they make more and when costs inevitably go up or revenue contracts they can't react fast enough to maintain a balance."
Whereas, the financial inadequacy in this city is serious, ongoing and structural: not enough city revenue period. Hence, the base revenue taken in by this city is too low to run the city. The comparison: Whereas Walnut Creek struggles, this city has walked itself off a cliff. And the "robbing Peter to pay Paul" principal is not breaking news. This has been the city accounting norm since at least since 2003. At the same time, these prior city councils reinforced commentary to the public that "we are fine". Shell game cover-up? I think that is a fair assessment and opinion.
1042 Save the Sanchez! Pass the fruit loops. This council followed the tracks of the previous council, double-downed the first group's $500,000 bet which went whoosh! Right down the crapper. The Spano offer? We'll never know if that had any meat on the bones or if any other offers were made. Not as long as Mary Anne Nihart controls the flow of information. Is it that council fears being accused of wasting all that money on a 2nd set of plans and being called "another Vreeland council"? Or is it just that in terms of legacy, a public bldg like a library is the only place to hang that big commemorative plaque?
You think this blog will get one of the Mayor's Pride awards?
1042 Why wait on the recall? Does any doubt remain that this is not a pro-growth council? They are as underhanded and sneaky as anyone who ever sat in those seats. Personal agendas for personal glory.
Being Bray thrashes everyone from city employees, city managers, city council, cops and firemen(he calls them princess crews)
Why isn't it fair to mention he was removed from the Planning Commission for making vulgar comments about under aged girls?
Also his wife's gig down at the San Jose History Museum, is heavily funded by the City of San Jose.
That makes him guilty of dining at the taxpayer troth!
Hahaha, Rantanon @ 12:12, nice try. But entertaining. If you'd like to meet in person I'd love to set you straight... but I don't think you have the courage to identify yourself much less face me in person.
BTW if you are trotting out that old story, long discredited by this blog in particular Kathy of all people, and publicly apologised for it. Hahaha, yeah, lets meet face to face... it you can muster up the courage.
1212 Being removed from the planning commission has been a life-altering event for a few people. Give your life a purpose--get bounced from the Pacifica Planning Commission!
Yeah, I didn't think so Rantanon at 12:12. You'd have to leave your parents basement, and that just wont do.
8:27
Coming from the guy who did some artist graphics for the city and got paid for these while sitting on the planning commission.
It looks like Mr. Lack of Morals also committed an ethics violation.
1014, there was no "ethics violation" in Todd doing artistic work for the city, and at the same time being a member of the Planning Commission. Stop it you two.
And Todd 1227, my opinion is that some old stories should go away forever. Let move on. That doesn't mean that I don't think you're a smart "dumb jerk" with aggressive words and a regressive agenda that is adversarial to the benefit of this city.
Thank you Kathy!
I am getting really tired of the folks who want to keep the Sanchez Library open and are opposed to a new library. First Pacifica is LAST in library services in San Mateo County and second I feel sorry for the employees that have to work at the Sanchez Library. Have you ever really looked at the building-mold, torn carpets, dust, spider webs, little computer access, and they are throwing out books so we can have new ones-no space. We all deserve better and a new library would be open 7 days a week so access would be no problem.
Kathy, I'm flattered people like you, Tait and all the other reformed Yessies think I'm so influential that I can somehow effect the economy, UFO's and any number of other things that bother you, but I'm just a single solitary guy.
505, take some B complex vitamins, maybe you'll feel better.
Here's an alternative: fix the existing location. People live in the south of town and use that library.
505 Ask the people who use the Sanchez what they think. Especially seniors and kids. The place looks pretty comfortable. Not new but certainly not decrepit. It and the other branch could be buffed up for a pittance compared to the cost of a new one. And who are you to claim the library will be open 7 days? This town is too broke to even keep its police station open. Libraries all over the county have cut staff and hours and you claim we'll be immune from that if we have a new central library? You gotta be a politician.
what about fixing up the 2 libraries we already have?
505 If the Sanchez or the other branch are sub-par, I'm sure we'll hear from the JPA. Then the decisions get really interesting.
Walnut Creek closed their two libraries and consolidated them both into their brand spanking new $45 million library. This way they could save on staffing and keep the single library open for more hours during the week. Sound familiar?
Here's the catch: now Walnut Creek has cut back their funding and as a result, hours and staff are being reduced drastically. Now the main is open less than the two branches ever were.
It seems very clear from all the posts on all the blogs that any support for the new library is rare. This crosses all lines. Pro growth, anti growth, really almost everyone is against it. Still our council seem to insist on this course. I've let them know that the library is out, foget aboud id. I hope all you are too.
901 You actually think they care? They're thinking legacy. Something to be known for other than gross fiscal mismanagement. First the trail is rammed through. Nothing to stop them from making a similar move for a library. A different group of speakers, but same kind of charade.
I'll just say one thing: All you ANONYMOUS posters are cowards. Put your name to what you say. It's easy to be AONNYMOUS when you have no accountability and no one knows who you are. We real journalists never printed letters to the editor with no name attached. Grow up, man up. If you have an opinion, put your name on it. It's why blogging will never take the place of real journalism. Walter Cronkite would roll over in his grave.
Elaine Larsen
With all due respect, Elaine, we're not real journalists, we're blogging and anonymity is part of the medium. So is provocation and off the wall opinions. It's not a news source. Don't like an idea or comment? Refute or ignore. Quite a few posters switch between using their names and anon.
Cronkite kept up. Do you remember what a space travel nut he was? He did a broadcast from the old Vomit Comet to try out weightlessness. New things.
Elaine, this isn't meant to take the place of real journalism. But the rules here are different than in the Tribune and they both work in their own ways.
Sometimes people are afraid to say what they really feel. Sure you get some crap, but you also get some raw unadulterated views that you wouldn't get anywhere else otherwise.
I happen to know that some council members, city officials and other notable people post here anonymously so it's not just trolls.
There are good reasons why some people post here anonymously. There are also some very bad ones.
I am with Elaine, if you want to be taken seriously put your name on it.
Elaine
You can't shoot the messenger because you don't like the message.
I agree with Elaine and Tom, but when we tried an experiment where people had to register to post a comment, nobody posted comments.
Elaine, I love having you post here. I refer to them as anonymi!
If you don't like lots of posts here from people named "Anonymous," go over to Riptide where you won't find any.
Elaine also I hope you keep posting here. We could use some more wisdom. Don't let the anon posts get to you. Many that I see are actually well thought out. It's what makes this blog so popular and I think it's good to hear how people really feel unfiltered.
It's nice to be anonymous Elaine because you do not have to be civil .Freedom of Speech applies to anonymous.
657, on Riptide, sure rather than Anonymous you could name yourself "flying monkeys". Actually you could do that here too.
But, Elaine 327 makes the point that if you have something to say put your name to it. Its an old-fashion ethical, honorable, transparent, and stature concept. Tom 455 adds, "if you want to be taken seriously."
1026, you think "free speech" allows you the right to NOT be civil under anonymous cover? Really bad idea. NOT being civil is "abuse of free speech", so I spammed your comment, 1026, ha! (Steve may reinstate your lame comment if he likes).
On this thread, those who voluntarily posted comments under their names include: Jim, Todd, Kathy, Hutch, Tom, Elaine, Steve, Chris. That's eight individuals, pretty good. Maybe time to try that "experiment" again Steve, 517?
As Hutch 803 said, the "well thought out" anonymous comments are fine (and we're used to them). Those abusive, twisted and incomplete comments that breach civility, (suggested by 1026 as "free speech"), usually belong in the dumpster.
U S Suprime court said corporations are people.Is not that anonymous free speech hidden in not very civil political pacs?Free speech can be nasty; you have be able to handle it.
Being anonymous was used by Thomas Jefferson in nasty attacks on Pres John Adams and anonymous attacks on Jefferson's Sally Hemmings relationship were not civil,also.King George thought your name on Declaration of Independence was treason and a death sentence.
I love the don't shoot the messenger if you don't love the message. I got that all the time.
I still stand by the ethic that you put your name on things. Blogging might not be the New York Times but it's fast becoming the media we all have to deal with. It's fast overcoming actual print media. So I say: play by the journalism accountability rule and put your name to opinions. And Cronkite would agree with me as would Dan Rather, and the Watergate crew: "All the President's Men" reference.
1010, corporations are not Anonymous. And comparing Corporations to Anonymous blog comments is a bit of a reality-breach stretch. Comment civility is an expected norm most anywhere, in public and private events and functions, and on this blog. See blog comment policy upper left.
"You have to be able to handle it"? We do. And that's why "god" invented spam. Thanks Steve!
I would say that your judgement is overall good ,except I have seen profanity on blog.I like the spirited comments on blog and do not need names.I like being anonymous;public when I want to have more impact.
You put something out there, like a blog, and you get to watch how the users take it in directions you may or may not approve. Try to control them and what do you have? Something much more one-note. I guess how bothered you are by it depends on how far your blog strays from your original purpose. I think Fix Pacifica has strayed.
The standards and rules from print journalism really don't fit the blogo-sphere. Maybe they should, but that moment is gone.
Boils down to loss vs. benefit. Free exchange of a wide range of comments about things of concern to the public vs. knowing who said it.
Everyone loves a bitch session.
I say don't mess with what's working. The reason not many people post on Riptide is that it's harder (not impossible) to be anonymous. Keep filtering out personal attacks and nonsense, but keep anons anon.
1229, "... it depends on how far your blog strays from your original purpose. I think Fix Pacifica has strayed." Really?
The original purpose was "Fix Pacifica"; it is still "Fix Pacifica". And, if there's a future, it will likely remain Fix Pacifica". It likely will remain "Fix Pacifica until "Pacifica is Fixed", (estimated timetable: not in our lifetime to never).
Ah 1229, you may be Anonymous 9/16 @ 10:26 pm who was spammed. The same cowardly Anonymous who insists that hiding gives you a license to abuse "free speech". Well, to some extent that is allowed, and your message got out there, but get a clue-- spam is waiting for you.
Jeez Kathy eat a snickers. 1229 is not the 1026. You've been real grumpy since the Colt vote. Not criticizing the original mission but IMHO Fix is more than it was perhaps intended to be, not less. Despite whatever misgivings you both may have about anon postings, you and Steve gave people latitude and I think it's made for a more interesting blog. Take a bow. And yeah, I agree, it's Larks and dirt naps for all of us before Pacifica is Fixed.
I used to hate Anonymous posts but I have come to appreciate the freedom it gives to some folks to really speak their minds without fear of retribution. Most of the anonymous posts authors are not that difficult to figure out anyway. Yea some people abuse it and others are just plain nuts but I prefer freedom of speech, controversy and variety of opinions any time over the uber-editing on RIPTIDE.
Democracy's messy.
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