Don't fergit: Barbara Arietta Campaign Kickoff Party, Friday, Oct 1 - 6PM

FRIENDS AND FELLOW PACIFICANS - We invite you to join us in supporting Barbara
Arietta's campaign for Pacifica City Council 2010. "Barbara has shown herself
to be an extraordinarily well qualified candidate. She is conscientious,
engaged and committed to helping Pacifica move forward".
Suzan Getchell-Wallace and Stephanie Vinces

CAMPAIGN KICKOFF PARTY

BARBARA ARIETTA FOR PACIFICA CITY COUNCIL 2010

FRIDAY OCTOBER 1ST - 6:00PM

CHILI - HOT DOGS - BEER/ALE - WINE - SOFT DRINKS - APPLE PIE

LOCATION: 601 TALBOT AVENUE, PACIFICA

Barbara to date has been endorsed by:

Fiona Ma, Assemblywoman, Speaker Pro Tempore
Jerry Hill, Assemblyman, Democratic Caucus Chair
Richard Gordon, San Mateo County Supervisor
Dave Mandelkern, Trustee, San Mateo County Community College District
Don Horsley, Candidate for San Mateo County Supervisor
San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee
San Mateo County Labor Council
San Mateo County Association of Realtor's(SAMCAR)

Please join us in endorsing Barbara as well.
SIGNS WILL BE HERE TUESDAY - READY FOR PICK UP OR DELIVERY.

RSVP: suzan.getchell@coldwellbanker.com or (650)255-9223 & leave message.

Barbara Arietta for Pacifica City Council 2010 ID#1329285

Posted by Steve Sinai

City Council's Tax Appetite

Pacifica has lost its way. City Council just doesn't get it. More taxes, however prettied up and marketed, are not the answer. Tax Measure R on the November 2 ballot is another in a long line of misguided tax schemes and actually leads the way for another $6 million in new taxes within 14 months.

California unemployment is over 12%. Property values have fallen. Home sales have dropped. People are struggling to make ends meet. Personal income is flat. People are rightfully very anxious about the future. A recession is not the time to pick the public's pocket.

Here is a critical part of the official ballot statement for Tax Measure R signed by the entire City Council in August 2010:

"Pacifica continues

to spend

more than it receives"

Well, City Council wasn't kidding when they admit to spending more than they receive. It's been going on for years, and certainly made worse by the recession.   Just exactly what is the point they are trying to get across with a statement like that? Don't forget, two of the incumbents think they have done such a good job of spending more than they get that they are asking us to re-elect them!

These same 2 have been part of the process of approving salaries and benefits that Council isn't able to fund. Not a ringing endorsement of fiscal responsibility!  Salary and benefits are a huge part of our budget, as they are in other municipalities. A large difference is the ability to pay those costs. We can't afford what has been negotiated by our council over the past 12 years. 

For the past ten years, Council has been piling up the debt. The total city indebtedness is north of $125,000,000. That's $6,250 per voter. 

 

Employee pension debt alone from years prior to 2009 is $32 million, being paid by the taxpayers. That isn't taking into account the ongoing pension debt piling up today again. 

The City Council advertises their economic plan. Council figures this plan will generate $6 million over five years. Take a moment to look at this plan found here:.

http://www.cityofpacifica.org/government/committees/economic_development_committee.asp

It's all of three pages. It contains no due dates for any objective. No revenue expectations are attached to any part of the plan. The committee that produced this holds monthly meetings. No meeting minutes are available to gauge progress. No list of committee members is on the city website, and the parameters or financial background to participate in this process are unknown.

In short, our supposed roadmap out of this Council generated mess is a casual vague plan lacking due dates and revenue targets. The plan is so lacking in detail it would get you flunked out of your high school term paper class. It holds the council to no accountability standards. Give us your money and trust us says Council. You think that's right?

 Unfortunately, City Council has taken us for this ride before. In 2004, Council convinced the voters to approve a five year fire assessment tax to support Pacifica fire services. Many people expected an economic plan to be developed while the five year tax was in place to fully support fire services. Wrong. Council immediately laid off three firefighters. No economic plan was developed during the five year tax. Council broke faith. 

Over the horizon, in 2011, is the first leg of $6 million in new taxes---a $4 million public safety property tax assessment.  This tax is rigged by City Council to get around Prop 13 and will require only a majority vote, not 2/3. Adding insult to injury, only property owners will be allowed to vote.  If you are a voter and do not own property, you cannot vote. If you are a renter, you cannot vote. If two spouses are on the title of the house, only one gets to vote. If you own multiple properties in town, you get multiple votes, one for each property. If you are an out-of-town landlord or are an out-of-town corporation (Bank of America anyone?) and own property in Pacifica, you get to vote.

In conclusion, vote No on Tax Measure R in November. The Pacifica Chamber of Commerce authored the argument against this tax. Not a single hotel manager thinks this tax helps Pacifica hotels in a very tough economy. Even San Francisco is rejected new taxes and fees, demolishing the Pacifica Council's argument: well everyone else is raising taxes.  Measure R just whets the appetite of City council for more taxes next year, taxes that disproportionally keeps renters, minorities, younger people without houses from voting at all and allows out-of-town corporations to vote. The economic plan the City touts is of no value.  Council broke faith by laying off firefighters in 2004 after the five year tax was approved.

 

We deserve a better, leaner city budget that addresses the tough issues Council has ignored for years.

Jim Wagner, Mark Stechbart

Brown, Whitman Candidate Debate for Governor 9/28/10

Brown, Whitman Debate, 9/28/10. The ABC, channel 7 news begins with an introduction news cast (about 5 minutes), followed by the debate itself. The debate took about 1 hour, so plan accordingly if you view this event. 

"Los Angeles (KABC) Gubernatorial candidates Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman met for their first debate Tuesday at the University of California-Davis. The debate was the first of three scheduled for the candidates.  Whitman and Brown faced 10 questions in the debate. The questions inquired about stances on resolving the California state budget crisis; state inmate execution and the appeals process; job creation and business development; state worker pension benefits and reform; job preparation and experience; University of California and California State University student fees; political advertisement fact-checking; immigration; campaign finance reform; and state water issues.

Democratic candidate Jerry Brown is currently California Attorney General. He was elected secretary of state in 1970, and was elected state governor in 1974 and re-elected in 1978.  Republican candidate Meg Whitman is the former chief executive officer of eBay. She has executive experience in several corporations, including Stride Rite, FTD and Hasbro.  ABC7 was the only station in Los Angeles that streamed the debate live on-air and online."  A follow-up viewer survey is available on the link.  
Additional comments and references
Comment: "Few surprises, clear differences", California Report 9/29/10.
Chronicle columnist Debra J. Saunders, (self-proclaimed token conservative), San Francisco Chronicle 9/29/10.
More Debates Planned, KQED, 9/29/10.



Posted by Kathy Meeh

States Are Poised to Be Next Credit Crisis for US: Whitney

Published: Tuesday, 28 Sep 2010 | 3:52 PM ET


By: Jeff Cox
CNBC.com Staff Writer

Crippling debts and deficits are about to make individual states the next casualty of the credit crisis, analyst Meredith Whitney told CNBC.

Speaking as her firm, Meredith Whitney Advisory Group, just released a lengthy report on the state of the states, the noted financial analyst compared the looming explosion to the collapse of the financial system in 2008 and 2009.

"The similarities between the states and the banks are extreme to the extent that states have been spending dramatically and are leveraged dramatically," she said. "Municipal debt has doubled since 2000, spending has grown way faster than revenues."

Whitney also offered another warning about banks, saying a sharp dropoff in trading revenue and a double-dip in housing would hammer at fourth-quarter earnings.

But she reserved her harshest words for the states. She said the paper released Tuesday was the culmination of two years' work by her firm and was made even more difficult by the lack of reliable data on state spending and debt.

"It reminded me so much of the banks pre-crisis that we just kept working at it," she said. "We couldn't find anything that gave us a clear story, we couldn't find any information that was transparent. So we did it ourselves."

Read more...

Submitted by Jim "No More Baseball at Cal" Alex

 

Chamber of Commerce Town Hall

Town Hall Chamber Membership &

New Membership Recruitment Assembly

Wednesday, September 29, 2010, Nick’s Restaurant

Check-in and light appetizers - 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
General Meeting - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
FREE to Chamber members

$10 to Non-Members (applied to new Chamber membership if you join that night.)

Sponsored by First National Bank

Space is limited.  Please register by September 24, 2010.

The Pacifica Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Town Hall Chamber Member and New Membership Recruitment Assembly on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm @ Nick’s Restaurant. The guest speaker is Keith Woods, a well known and respected advisor in the Chamber of Commerce Industry. Mr. Woods will present one of his most popular programs, “Why Chambers Matter…If Not for the Chamber,” that will inspire both Chamber and prospective members. Combined with wit and humor, Mr. Woods will discuss the importance of a “21” Century Chamber and how vital a Chamber is to the quality of life and economic well-being in a community. His presentation will also highlight ways in which businesses can partner with the Chamber and become more involved in effective sponsorship, ambassador and governmental relations programs, communications, team building and more.

About Keith Woods

Keith Woods is the Chief Executive Officer of the North Coast Builders Exchange, headquartered in Santa Rosa. The trade association, the largest of its kind in California, has 1500 members in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties, 18 staff members, and a budget of $3 million. In addition, for the past 10 years Keith has served as Senior Advisor on Chamber Trends for the California Chamber of Commerce.

A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Keith is a Journalism graduate from Fresno State University and a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management at the University of Santa Clara. His professional experience includes 38 years of organizational management work, including staff and executive positions with the San Francisco, San Jose, and San Antonio Chambers of Commerce. He also served as President/CEO of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce for 13 years.

He has spoken to more than 900 audiences in 48 U.S. states, focusing on leadership, organizational management, Chamber of Commerce development, and customer service. In 1999, at the request of the U.S. State Department, he traveled to Moscow to conduct management training for Russian business and Chamber executives.

Keith is the proud father of 23-year-old twins, Kevin and Kelly. In addition, he says he is just an all-around good guy.

Submitted by Susan Vellone

Geography of a Recession

http://cohort11.americanobserver.net/latoyaegwuekwe/multimediafinal.html

Submitted by Jim Wagner

American on the mend - $42 billion aid to help Small Business

President Obama signed into law more assistance to stimulate small businesses recovery, advancement and jobs. The government package includes:

1. Eight (8) new tax breaks to the eight (8) which have already been created during Obama's Presidency (1/2009).  Capital gains for expanding business is being eliminated.

2. Low-cost Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are or will be available through community banks.  SBA Services Direct.  Additional eligibility and requirement information is available through a simple web search, try google "SBA loan requirements". 

Text and video from CNN 9/27/2010. "The Senate approved it on a 61-38 vote last week, with two Republicans breaking a GOP filibuster to join the 59 Democrats in supporting the measure. The House then voted 237-187 on mostly partisan lines to send the bill to Obama's desk."  Hurray for two (2) Republican Senators who jumped ship from the party of "no". 

As expected, the response from House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) was:  "Unfortunately, this bill does nothing to help end the uncertainty that is crippling job creation and hurting small businesses...instead it puts taxpayers on the hook for even more bailouts."  Hey, isn't Boehner the same House Minority Leader who has been whining that America needs to create jobs? 

Note:  A few individuals standing behind the President are part of "1400 small business employers who have applied for SBA loans and will receive these loans immediately".  With this assistance total aid to small business will reach $55 billion during the Obama administration. 

Commentary. Following the government bail-out of large banks last year, these institutions protected themselves and made loaning money to consumers difficult and scarce. That included small businesses. Now with the support of  two (2) Republican votes only, the SBA (government) is able to step-in.  This financial assistance will enable small business to grow, and other "ordinary Americans" to gain jobs. Want your America back?  This is the old fashion way to do it, put people back to work-- and this is the way government can help, its a "hand up, rather than a hand-out." 

Posted by Kathy Meeh 

BARBARA ARIETTA'S CAMPAIGN KICKOFF PARTY

News of 2 Campaign Parties

FRIENDS AND FELLOW PACIFICANS - We invite you to join us in supporting Barbara
Arietta's campaign for Pacifica City Council 2010. "Barbara has shown herself
to be an extraordinarily well qualified candidate. She is conscientious,
engaged and committed to helping Pacifica move forward".
Suzan Getchell-Wallace and Stephanie Vinces

CAMPAIGN KICKOFF PARTY

BARBARA ARIETTA FOR PACIFICA CITY COUNCIL 2010

FRIDAY OCTOBER 1ST - 6:00PM

CHILI - HOT DOGS - BEER/ALE - WINE - SOFT DRINKS - APPLE PIE

LOCATION: 601 TALBOT AVENUE, PACIFICA

Barbara to date has been endorsed by:

Fiona Ma, Assemblywoman, Speaker Pro Tempore
Jerry Hill, Assemblyman, Democratic Caucus Chair
Richard Gordon, San Mateo County Supervisor
Dave Mandelkern, Trustee, San Mateo County Community College District
Don Horsley, Candidate for San Mateo County Supervisor
San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee
San Mateo County Labor Council
San Mateo County Association of Realtor's(SAMCAR)

Please join us in endorsing Barbara as well.
SIGNS WILL BE HERE TUESDAY - READY FOR PICK UP OR DELIVERY.

RSVP: suzan.getchell@coldwellbanker.com or (650)255-9223 & leave message.

Barbara Arietta for Pacifica City Council 2010 ID#1329285

Send complaints to...

Jed York
c/o
Marie P. DeBartolo
Sports Centre
4949 Centennial Boulevard
Santa Clara, CA 95054

Posted by Steve Sinai

Pacifica Fog Fest 25th anniversary,did you have fun?

Saturday, September 25th and Sunday, September 26th, 2010

Celebrate the Coast!  Celebrate the Fog Fest 25th Anniversary!  The Fog Fest is a celebration of sun, sand, and surf that defines life on the coast. The Fest was created in 1986 to promote Pacifica and to celebrate our marvelous coastal climate. The last full weekend of September was chosen because historically the weather is unbeatable.

The Fog Fest kicks off with our 25th Anniversary Fandango event on the evening of Friday September 24th at the Sanchez Adobe Historic Site then continues Saturday morning at 10 am with the Discover Pacifica Parade, Sand Castle Contest and Marching Band Competition. Arts and Crafts booths, Food and Beverage booths and a variety of activities begin after the parade.  From the Fog Fest website.  

Posted by Kathy Meeh

City Council incumbent commentary

Vote for change and city improvement  - No on Vreeland

I can’t help but wonder why anyone would even consider re-electing Jim Vreeland for City Council.  Take a look at our city streets, the vacant storefronts, reduced fire safety and police staffing, and the still unresolved old vacant wastewater treatment plant property sitting there for years. 

Surely, if Jim Vreeland has not been able to improve Pacifica in these past 8 plus years of serving on the council, what makes you think he will do anything if he is re-elected?  If ever there was a clear need for change, it is now.

Posted by Marian Yap

What's the stock market doing?

Dow 10,860, NASDAQ 2,381, 10 year Treasury yield 2.61%, US Dollar to Euro equivalent $1.3494 

 September and this year look like a normal stock market pattern with usual Federal Reserve adjustments. The stock market tends to rise toward the end of September, closing near the end-of-the-year highs (even with investors taking capital gains or losses at the end of December)*.  The current stock market is functioning at lower levels than a few years ago, of course, the result of a severe recession that wipe-out of 1/3rd of world wealth. ^


From www.barrons.com, (the site is subscription and the Barron's, 9/25/10 full article is otherwise blocked).  "As it happens, Bernanke's Aug. 27 speech has proved to be a turning point, for the financial markets at least. The headlong slide in long-Treasury yields has been halted, at least temporarily, while stocks have rallied smartly. September, reputedly the worst month for stocks*, is shaping up as the strongest since April 2009, near the beginning of equities' liftoff. According to Wilshire Associates, the U.S. stock market is up 9.65% for the month, adding some $1.2 trillion to equity investors' wealth.
JP Morgan Chase economists Bruce Kasman and Robert Mellman observe in a research note that other factors are affecting the markets, including less-dire economic reports and prospects that November elections will bring a more pro-business Congress. "However," they said, "market movements appear to be directly responding to the signal from the Fed. In addition to equities, that would include currencies and market-based inflation indicators, which evidently took the Fed at its word. The U.S. Dollar Index, or DXY, had a clear technical breakdown on the charts— even with the Bank of Japan working to weaken the yen. The euro also rose to its highest since April, close to $1.35."  

* Note:  Historically September is considered the worst month for stock, that "market return negative" long term seems to be only -1.5%. October can be much more volatile.  And, then again. (article and video from "Nightly Business Report" PBS, 9/16/10).  The real question for me is not normal market behavior, but whether the regulations and regulators will sufficiently protect investors going forward.  

Additional references ^
Where we go from here. Investment News article 9/24/10.
Technical end to the recession 6/2009 Los Angeles Business Examiner 9/25/10.
Personal investment strategy Personal Finance 9/25/10.
^The non-article commentary areas above are my personal observation from having been a registered representative (stock broker, registered principal) as part of my total financial business over 25 years, and does not in any way constitute professional advisement. 


Posted by Kathy Meeh

9/26 Pacifica City Council Meeting Agenda

Sept. 26 Pacifica City Council Meeting Agenda

Submitted by Jim Alex

Four candidates vie for three positions on Pacifica School District board

By Julia Scott
San Mateo County Times

Posted: 09/23/2010 06:00:00 AM PDT

Updated: 09/23/2010 08:11:35 PM PDT

PACIFICA -- All four candidates for the Pacifica School District's Board of Trustees are competing for the title of strongest advocate on behalf of students, parents and the district's bottom line -- and they all list credentials to back up their claims. 

Voters will pick three out of four candidates to chart a new path for the school district in the midst of a cloudy financial picture. Incumbents Joan Weideman and Mike O'Neill are running again. Challengers Kalimah Salahuddin and Richard Faust are well-known education advocates within the Pacifica School District community.

Whomever is elected will steer a school district that has undergone $2.4 million in cuts the past few years and is using a $300,000 federal stimulus grant to fill a budget deficit in the current school year. The district is waiting for state legislators to pass a budget to determine whether further cuts are necessary. The district is planning five furlough days this year and has been forced to use its reserves to cover payroll, according to officials.

On the other hand, student enrollment is steady at the district's seven schools -- five elementary schools and Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School, plus a special education center -- and the district is in better shape than many of its neighbors, with reserves of about $1.5 million.

Weideman has spent much of her time on the board since 2002 trying to stanch the hemorrhaging of funds due to state budget cuts. She doesn't like the fact that the district is beholden to the generosity of donors such as the Rob Schneider Music Foundation for so much of its supplies and programming. "We've spent our time on finding money, not on finding ways for our kids to progress," said Weideman, a stay-at-home mom. "When you are talking about funding coming from outside of the school, it's embarrassing."

Read more...

Posted by Steve Sinai

Red tide - this happened last year too, don't wade in it.

Those of you driving highway 1 may have noticed this "red tide" in Pacifica ocean Monday evening. I didn't notice it yesterday, so is it gone?

"Red tide returns to Coastside", article  from Half Moon Bay Review 9/20/10. "The waters are running red in Half Moon Bay – so say government officials who have determined a new algae bloom off the Coastside is causing the ocean to take on a reddish-orange color.

Officials with the U.S. Coast Guard and the California Department of Fish and Game confirmed on Monday afternoon that the odd coloration in the sea waters was being caused by algae, and not any kind of pollutant.  As part of a phenomenon called “red tide”, decaying organic material from the algae can turn a large expanse of ocean water a reddish color.

Various people in recent days have spotted the reddish tinge in the sea along Surfer’s Beach. The plankton species that causes red tide is non-toxic, but experts warn that beachgoers should avoid stepping in the ocean waters because the algae bloom indicates a higher risk of toxic algae being in the water. The Coastside experienced a similar algae bloom last September."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Sharp Park Don Patrol

Friends --  This is to invite you to join me and the "Sharp Park Don Patrol" in supporting former Sheriff Don Horsley's campaign for San Mateo County Supervisor, Third District.  (Election Day will be Tuesday, November 2.  The office is elected county-wide in San Mateo County.)  Don is an extraordinarily well-qualified candidate, who has announced his support for keeping the Sharp Park Golf Course open.  San Mateo County and its Supervisors have a significant role to play in this effort.  So I invite you to come meet Don on Monday, October 4, 6:30 p.m. at Sharp Park, and help elect him on November 2.  -- Richard Harris
____________________________________

Monday October 4, 2010 / 6:30-8:00pm

Please Join

The Sharp Park Don Patrol

Bo Links, Richard Harris, Clark Guittard, Paul Slavin

Steve Sinai, Butch Laroche, Dave Diller, Lauren Barr,

And

Don Horsley

Candidate for San Mateo County Supervisor

www.donhorsley.net

"With proper leadership and the full involvement of the course community, I believe the Sharp Park Golf Course can be maintained as 18 holes with reasonable environmental safeguards. I look forward to working with the community so generations to come can enjoy this historic course." -- Don Horsley

Location: Sharp Park Golf Course club house  

(Highway One at Sharp Park Road, Pacifica, CA.)

Complimentary Hors d'oeuvre No host cocktail bar

Donations Accepted (attendee's choice)

Don has spent his adult life in public service in San Mateo County, from law enforcement to elected Sheriff to elected member of the Healthcare District Board.

Don is endorsed by Rep. Jackie Speier and the entire San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

Please join Don and all our Sharp Park friends at this event.

RSVP to votefordon@gmail.com

or 650-363-1280 and mention the Sharp Park October 4 event.

Don Horsley for Supervisor 2010, 20 Park Road, Suite E, Burlingame, CA 94010, ID# 1303948

 

Submitted by Richard Harris

Who to vote for? City council forums

Get smarter, support Fix Pacifica with your comments and your articles, and don't vote for both "anti-economy" incumbent city council members.

Missed last night's city council candidates forum, see it tonight 10:pm, Cable television, channel 26, or  www.PCT26.com .

Next opportunity.  The American Association of University Women will host a city council candidates Q&A, Saturday, 10/2/10, at City Council Chambers, 2212 Beach Blvd from 10:30am until 12:30pm,  This Q&A will also be televised, channel 26, or www.PCT26.com.

Missed all the forums, and can't figure-out the Rubik's Cube of pro-economic city council candidates?   Official city council candidate statements have been provided as an article on Fix Pacifica 8/21/10 by Mark Smoliarz.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Tom Clifford Meet & Greet

Submitted by Tom Clifford

Don't fergit! Candidate Debate tonight (Sept 21, 7:30 pm) on Pacifica Community Television

By Martin Anaya

Pacifica Tribune columnist

Posted: 09/09/2010 06:00:00 AM PDT

Mark your calenders for the upcoming candidates forum on Channel 26. It will happen on Sept. 21 live at 7:30 p.m. All candidates for council have confirmed that they will attend. This week Pacifica Community TV will team up with our friends at the Tribune to seek questions for the candidates.

Because of the number of candidates (possibly nine) the presentation will be more of a forum than a debate giving each candidate a public introduction to his or her ideas and why he/she is running. Questions will be selected at random and depending on the number of candidates who actually show up we'll ask between two and three questions per person.
We are aware there are many important issues the community would like to see addressed and are asking all community members and stake holder groups to submit a question. If you have a question you wish addressed please submit it to (martinanaya@yahoo.com) and put "Candidate Question" in the subject box of your email. Also, please remember that questions will be drawn randomly and all candidates will see all questions ahead of the forum. This means that whatever questions you ask must be applicable to all candidates and not tailored to a single person or group.
We look forward to providing full candidate coverage on PCT in the weeks ahead and thank you for watching Pacifica Community TV, your community media voice.


You may be able to watch it on the web, though this doesn't always work.


 http://www.pct26.com/



Posted by Steve Sinai

Avoid This Disease

pacifica is extremely susceptible to this debilitating disease!!!

Submitted by Jim Wagner

Pacifica Elementary School Board Candidates Forum

Pacifica Democrats public forum, 9/18/10 (a follow-up report)

Elementary School Board terms are 4 years, this year 3 candidates will be elected to these positions.  From the forum....

Are incumbent candidate school board members accountable? 
They are.  During their tenure, Mike O'Neill and Joan Weideman have been part of a school district board where children achievement scores have improved substantially to be counted the top 20% (API over 800), while district funding from the State has remained in the lowest 11%.  Buildings have transitioned to being maintained, and our"special education" program has become "a model for the country" (San Mateo Grand Jury).

Candidates agree on these issues
1.  Operational:  1) Continuing to improve funding and budget distribution (optimizing use of money), 2) maintaining class size and staff level if possible, 3) keep special education programs local (better for children and cost effective), 4) maintaining buildings (deterioration costs more and is a safety issue, 5) seek funding sources where possible (to improve requires effort), 6) advocate for children (primary focus is on our children).  
2.  Philosophical.  1) a healthy Democracy requires educated citizens, 2) children should achieve their best attainable level, 3) charter and religious schools which receive federal money should be accountable through testing and oversight the same as public schools. 

Candidate individual leadership focus
1.  Mike O'Neill, current School Board member, 12 years.  Maintain district buildings, and gain revenue from leased building space (last year's revenue was $200,000).  He advocate  for practical improvement solutions, including those which have advantage the future.   
2.  Joan Weideman, current School Board member, 8 years.  Improve educator professional development, co-chair of Measure N parcel tax, supports supplementary community partnerships for music and arts grant funding, also advocates at State level. 
3.  Kalimah Salahuddin, President/founder "Saving Pacifica Schools", member of "special education" advisory committee to the school board.  Improve parent involvement and accountability. She supports "special education" as education (not separate), also advocates at State level. 
4.  Richard Faust , Saving Pacifica Schools.  Other leadership and advocacy is unknown to me, he was not able to attend this forum. 

Candidate signature comments.  "We are committed to kids...and working together" (Mike O'Neill). "What are the challenges, and how do we make it right?" (Joan Weideman), "Get parents involved, work as a unit (not piecemeal)" Kalimah Salahuddin.  

My observation and viewpoint.  This forum was almost as inspiring as "church", while avoiding all the hugs. All 3 candidates who participated are a huge credit to our community, to be admired for their essential child advocacy and foundational work. This forum was one of the best I've seen in Pacifica, made better by the school district budget/financial and candidate judgment questions poised by moderator Barbara Arietta. Re-election of Mike O'Neill and Joan Weideman "accountable incumbents" is an easy choice. I also liked Kalimah Salahuddin, she may be my 3rd vote.  Hopefully we will also hear from Richard Faust. 
 
Other Elementary School Board Candidates Forums you may wish to attend 
September 20th, 2010, Sunset Ridge Elementary School, 340 Inverness Drive, 7pm to 9pm: 
September 30th, 2010, Cabrillo School, 601 Crespi Drive, 7pm to 9pm.

Posted by Kathy Meeh
 

San Mateo Labor Council candidate questionnaire

S

Please Do Not

Hesitate in

Contacting our Office with any Questions or Concerns

(650)572-8848

AN MATEO LABOR COUNCIL

2010 COPE

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Name __________________________________________

Phone (work) ________________________ (home) _____________________(E-Mail)_______________

Home Address________________________________________________________________________

FPPC ID # (if not available, then Treasurer's Full Name)

Campaign Name

Campaign Address

Profession Employer (if any)

Have you ever been a union member? Yes No If "Yes", which union, and any role or office you held:

What other elected or appointed offices prior to this election have you held?_______ _______________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

* * * * * *

1. A. What are your goals and issue priorities for the city? What do you think the issues are in this election?

B. Are you running with, or share the same views, as another candidate? If Yes, who

2. What distinguishes your goals and priorities from other candidates in this election?

3. A. Should unions be involved in the budget process?

Yes No_______

Please explain your position

B. What solutions do you propose for city budget problems?

4. If forced to reduce city general fund spending by 5%, what specific cuts would you support?

How much would you expect each cut to save? With whom would you consult? ________________

5. On issues relating to City policy, specifically the City’s relationship with employees and their unions, what do you feel should be the respective roles of the City Council and the City Manager.

A. to one another?

_______________________________________________________________________________

B. to the union organization(s)?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

6. What are your positions concerning contracting out (privatization) of public work currently or traditionally performed by city workers?

7. What do you think could be done to encourage development that includes “affordable” housing, especially for the workers who work in our community (i.e. teachers) who cannot afford to live here?

8. A. How would you support the creation of additional childcare centers/slots for working families?

B. Would you support the inclusion of childcare as a part of any new or re-development proposals? (This could be financial support for a child care referral service, a centralized child care facility, supplemental funds towards child care slots, etc.) __________________________________________

9. What efforts to improve transportation do you support?__________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

10. State & Federal laws require the payment of prevailing wages on all government construction projects. These laws helped local jurisdictions provide jobs for local contractors and workers to stimulate the local economy. If you have a redevelopment agency, will you require a prevailing wage condition on all your redevelopment contracts?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

11. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that in order to promote efficiency of construction operations and provide for peaceful settlement of labor disputes and grievances without strikes or lockouts, public agencies may enter into project labor agreements with building trades councils. This promotes the public interest in assuring the timely and economical completion of projects, and guaranteeing all workers are paid union wages and benefits. Would you be willing to enter into such an agreement with the San Mateo Building Trades Council?

12. If requested as an elected official, would you facilitate a pre-construction meeting with the Building Trades Council and a project owner/developer?

A) When new employers are seeking to build/ open worksites in your city (e.g. through planning applications, etc.), will you proactively inform and consult with the Labor Council and Building Trades Council?

Yes__________ No_________

If No, why not? ___________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

13. Would you support a "pre-qualification" for contractors wanting to bid on city public works projects? (Qualifying conditions could include performance record, prior public works infractions, sufficient bonding & insurance, Cal-Osha violations, financial health, participation in apprenticeship programs, mechanics liens, etc.) Meeting such conditions would "qualify" a contractor to bid for city projects.

__________________________________________

14. Currently, with the drastic increase in the cost of living in the Bay Area, many city workers who retire with

twenty or more years of service can no longer afford to stay and live in the communities they served while

working. What is your view of public employee pensions?

__________________________________________

1. What are your thoughts on the consideration by some cities to adopt a multi-tier pension structure?

If elected, would you consult with employee groups prior to changing pension benefits?

______________________________________________________________________________

15. Companies like Wal-Mart seek to come to our communities and bring jobs with low wages and no benefits. This creates large numbers of hard working people who are dependent on taxpayer funded social services to survive and fail to provide the optimum tax revenue expected by local governments. Would you support or oppose a “big box” being built within your jurisdiction?

Support_________Oppose_________

Explain_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

16. A. What is your opinion of the consolidation of fire/paramedic services county wide?

B. Volunteer Firefighters as first responders, in lieu of full time fire service personnel for a municipal Fire Department are unreliable. Would you support the continuation of or the start up of such a service in your community? If Yes Why? ___________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

C. What is your opinion of the consolidation of garbage & recycling services county wide?

17. Unions are working to organize and mobilize their memberships in new and creative ways. Part

of that effort includes seeking support from elected officials and candidates for public office who understand the right to organize unrepresented workers, and who support labor’s efforts to build a progressive climate in which to accomplish these goals. If you support this effort, please check the boxes listed below that are actions you are willing to take.

I would be willing to:

 Speak in a public forum on the right to organize

 Sign a letter of support for the right to organize

 Speak to an employer about remaining neutral in an organizing drive

• Refuse to patronize an employer who conducts an anti-union campaign
• Pass an ordinance supporting labor rights and livable wages
• Join a delegation of workers to meet with an employer
• Hold a town hall meeting to discuss issues important to workers
• Support legislative action to prevent use of public funds for anti-union activities
• Take a leadership role with colleagues to advance these issues
• Assist workers in obtaining a first contract upon successful completion of organizing drive

18. A) Will you use union printers for your campaign literature and signs?

Yes No_______

B) Will you use union restaurants/hotels for any official campaign functions if possible?

Yes No_______

C) Will you refuse to use restaurants/hotels that are on the union state boycott

list for any official campaign functions?

Yes No_______

19. Would you cross an organized labor picket line?

Yes No_______

20. Would you support an organized labor boycott?

Yes No_______

21. Do you support the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)?

(http://www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/voiceatwork/efca/)

Yes No_______

If no, why? ______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

1. Do you support majority sign-up (card check/ neutrality) agreements as a process for union recognition? Will you encourage employers to enter into such agreements, and require such agreements where legally permitted to do so?

Yes________ No______

If no, why? ______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

22. If elected, would you be willing to use your authority, to the extent that is legally permissible, as well as your public stature to support union organizing?

Yes No_______

23. California is in the midst of a health care crisis. Lack of health insurance can be devastating for the health and financial stability of California families. The Legislature and the Governor have been grappling with this immense issue for years, but no matter what reforms are enacted, health care will likely remain a priority for our community.

1. Should any tax breaks to business be conditioned on its agreement to provide health benefits to all employees?

2. Do you believe that employers in our County/City should be obligated to meet a minimum health care spending requirement, similar to a minimum wage? Why or why not?

3. Under current law, HMOs, insurance companies and hospitals can raise their premiums without review or regulation. Would you support regulating the price HMOs, Insurance Companies and hospitals can charge for their health insurance products? Why or why not? ______

4. Would you support or oppose legislation that requires disclosure of the names of employers whose workers rely on public health care program like Medi-Cal and Healthy Families?

Support_________ Oppose__________

5. Do you support providing health care coverage to all people in this County/City who are below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, regardless of immigration status? Yes ___ No_______

24. Do you support or oppose requiring unions representing nurses, teachers, firefighters and other public employees to obtain consent each year of each member in order to allow dues to be used for political activities that affect their members? Support_________ Oppose____________

Explain?

__________________________________________________________________

25. As an elected official, the Brown act allows you to be accessible to workers and their Union representatives on all issues, including the negotiation process. Do you agree to be accessible to workers and their representatives and, if need be, act as a facilitator when negotiations reach an impasse?

Yes_____ No______

Please explain your position

26. Will you consult with Labor before contracting with a law firm or consultant for managing the City’s labor relations?

27. Will you consult Labor on appointments to boards and commissions?

28. Would you support a worker having the option of using binding arbitration in the appeal process of employment matters (i.e. grievance/discipline)?

29. Would you support public safety unions having the option of arbitration when collective bargaining comes to an impasse?

30. If you are successful in your election (or re-election), you may be appointed to the SamTrans Board of Directors. What do you think your relationship should be with the Amalgamated Transit Union which represents the Bus Operators and Mechanics? ______________________ _
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

31. Would you be willing to be a facilitator, on behalf of union workers, with employers with whom the City has a franchising agreement (i.e. Cable TV operators)?___________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

32. What community organizations are you a member of?

33. Please list the endorsements you have received or are seeking:

Endorsements Received: Endorsements Seeking:

34. If you were to be endorsed by the Labor Council, what three labor issues would you want our members to know you have strong feelings about?______________________ _______________

35. Briefly discuss your campaign strategy for getting elected (i.e., fundraising, campaign targets, endorsements, number of votes needed to win, etc.)

36. Do you have any additional comments regarding your campaign? _________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

37. I have carefully reviewed this questionnaire and I attest that all of my responses are true and accurate.

Signed:

Date: _______________________________________________________________________________

Please return to: Shelley Kessler

San Mateo Labor Council - C.O.P.E.

1153 Chess Drive, Suite #200, Foster City, CA 94404

Telephone: (650) 572-8848

FAX (650) 572-2481

smclc@sbcglobal.net

Posted by Steve Sinai