Saturday, October 30, 2010

Tod Schlesinger Letter to the Editor

Editor:

As the 2010 November election fast approaches, it would be remiss on my part not to share the facts regarding the two incumbents up for re-election, they being Jim Vreeland and Sue Digre, and ask the tough questions as well. Julie Lancelle, the third incumbent, decided not to run again and I thank her for that. Another series of Strategic Plans and/or committees and/or studies would have made me want to jump off the bridge(some hope I would and soon!)

So, one down and two to go. Why, you ask, am I so adamantly opposed to the incumbents? A good question. Where to begin?

How bout a little history. Ladies first, so lets tackle, Ms. Digre. Having served two terms (8years), what has she done? With all due respect, nothing. Her mantra of, "our environment is our economy" is either a ruse or she just doesn't understand the basic tenets of fiscal responsibility nor what it takes to successfully run a city(nee Business).

Ms. Digre's constant ramblings make little or no sense and she opposed two viable potential mixed-use projects for the quarry(2002 Trammell Crow and again in 2006 by Don Peebles). Does she not realize that this site has been designed Redevelopment since 1983(27 years ago)? Does Ms. Digre have any specific plan to bring the city of Pacifica out of near bankruptcy and sure financial ruin other then wishful thinking? I haven't seen anything. Have you? So, no reason to believe she will come up with anything now?

Think of voting her out as simply a mandate for Term Limits Initiative currently on the ballot stating 2 terms (8 years) is enough time to implement your agenda (which she never had) and then step aside and give someone else a chance. Enough is Enough.

And no on to Mr. Vreeland. The history here is lengthier since he began his political career. Appointed to the Planning Commission in 1994 followed by elected to the City Council in 1998. A total of 16 years, 12 years (3 terms) on council. His career has been mired in controversy and "doublespeak". One need to only look at his endorsements four years ago by both SAMCAR(San Mateo County Association of Realtors) and the San Mateo County Labor Council as well as the Sierra Club and realize Mr Vreeland had to tell SAMCAR and the Labor Council he favored Measure "L" (Don Peebles' proposal to develop the Quarry) in order to get those endorsements and must have told the Sierra Club he opposed the project in order to get that endorsement. I for one can not trust a politician who values his own political career over the best interests of the constituents he has taken an oath to represent.

This is just the tip of the ice berg. What about the ongoing failure of Mr. Vreeland to comply with the very Building Codes he has taken an oath to uphold? Is this true that work continues at his home without the benefit of proper and current permits? It is my understanding that the required permits are neither in place nor have been signed off on.

Not to mention the fact that the trigger point at the Assessor's Office in Redwood City for the Property Tax Reassessment is the receipt of a signed off permit by the city. No surprise here since this would cost Mr. Vreeland money. Should we all meet at Mr. Vreeland's house and he can give us a walk through to prove nothing is amiss here?

Since this won't happen, I can only suggest we remove Mr Vreeland from office. 16 years is long enough. So, do your civic duty and VOTE this November 2nd. Whether you have never voted before or haven't voted recently, vote this time around. Contrary to popular belief, your vote counts!

Tod Schlesinger
Linda Mar 

Submitted by Jim Alex

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Schlesinger, court jester extraordinaire, is the perfect example of public petulance, unable or unwilling to serve the community with anything other then obstructionism. Your three minutes are up Tod.

Anonymous said...

Improve the city? Tod has tried to help, Nancy Hall has tried to hinder, and of course Anonymous people are... well are just "anonymous".

Anonymous said...

Schlesinger, court jester extraordinaire, is the perfect example of public petulance, unable or unwilling to serve the community with anything other then obstructionism.

you must be confusing tod with jim vreeland.

Anonymous said...

"Tod has tried to help." Hahahahahahahahaha. A-hahahahahahahahaha. Hahahahahahahahaha.

Thank you. That was the best laugh I've had in a long time.

Anonymous said...

"You must be confusing tod with jim vreeland." And, the others. Comment from Anon 7:51AM.

Anonymous said...

Petulance is right, Tod tried warning all. You ain't seen nothing yet.

Anonymous said...

"Does she not realize that this site has been designed Redevelopment since 1983.."

Did you mean 'designated'?