Thursday, August 29, 2013

Expanded tax


Editor:
I hear the city is trying to add a 6.5% tax to my cell and house phones and it might cost me $175 a year or more. As a single mom I would vote against this tax.
We already pay enough taxes in Pacifica and I don't like the fact that the city spent $60,000 of our money on this campaign without even asking us. They waste far too much money on studies costing us over 20 million dollars. And council bought themselves all iPads costing tax payers over $10,000 so far. Tell me, why do they all need iPads in little Pacifica?
I would like to ask the pro tax people if they care about single moms like me or many other people on budgets trying to get by? The city has a 1.5 million dollar surplus so why are they trying to take more of my money?
I'm voting NO on measure V, we have enough taxes already.
Julie Mattos
Sharp Park

62 comments:

Anonymous said...

Internet search says she's real and in the West Sharp Park area. An anti-V hotspot?

Anonymous said...

I think we should change the name of Pacifica to "Pacifica Del Azul"

Maybe then the city would see better days.

Hutch said...

Thank you for your support Julie!

Anonymous said...

What about the clientele of the Resource Center?! One of the signers of the ballot measure was a former client of the RC. I don't understand why this measure wasn't means tested in some way. To throw in the carrot that anyone 62 or over gets a break is not taking into account the impact this will make on our poor. $6 dollars a month buys food for some families. Maybe, only for a day. But it's a day not hungry. Jeez. Come on. This Measure V is a dead horse.

Anonymous said...

455 Don't forget that part of the sales pitch for this scam is that this money will protect the PRC. The target demographic for council and their consultants are not PRC clients. They're older, probably fairly comfortable voters who historically respond to an argument that says this money will protect the status quo. Even if the argument skirts the truth. Council is counting on those voters to show up and very few others. Hope we write a new kind of "history" in Pacifica!

Tom Clifford said...

First $6 bucks a month is a low ball number put out by the proponents of this measure.

How do I know? Because when I went before Council an asked that they give citizens the same $500 cap they were giving businesses Mike O'Neill went me one better and asked about giving taxpayers a $250.00 per year cap and Mayor Len Stone could not say NO fast enough. He went on to say that they could not make their number [$1,075,000 per year] if they put that low a cap in place. That means they expect to get on average more then $20 per month from each household.

I also asked about means testing and the answer was that it would be to much trouble to put in place.
The cynicism of the authors of this measure [Mary Ann and Len] is mind blowing, they recruited the very people who will be hurt the most by this tax to support it. Promises have been made that can only be broken.

Anonymous said...

Anon 455: Measure V is only dead if its opponents knock on the doors of Pacifica and educate the community, because I can bet you its proponents will be doing so over the next few weeks. Otherwise, it really has a chance at winning, because I've found that sadly, many Pacificans are easily swayed and fooled. Get a few happy shining school board faces saying, "they are trying to take away our new library" and many will vote for V. Remember, Vreeland didnt even campaign in 2010, he had not been showing up for council meetings, and he still got re-elected.

I am glad there is a committee formed against it. I will write a check to them shortly. They need to do the things that the Yes on V campaign will be doing, but do these things better: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Printed Materials, Lawn Signs, Highway One Signs. Yes on V will have a Fogfest Presence, No on V should too. Have a booth too, why not a float and marchers holding "No on V" signs as well....Get "No on V" signs in every shop window along Palmetto. Hutch and Tom: Get your mailed pieces to voters before the absentee ballots mail. Ads in the Mighty Tribune with names of those in the community who are opposing. As PCT26 will feast or famine depending on the outcome of V, they should hold an informational televised forum hosted by Ian Butler or some other luminary. I would like to see and hear the pro-tax champions Kalimah Salahuddin, Matt Levie, Eric Ruchames or Len Stone go up against Hutch, Tom Clifford or Wagner in a debate about this.

By the way...I eavesdropped and heard the pro-V people were interviewing a new campaign consultant. TCBW, the carpetbagging campaign recyclers are out. With the Moral Authority of the Chamber against Measure V, it wobbles out of the starting gate...walking wounded. There is a chance that it can be defeated, but it won't fail easily. People, we need to write to Elaine Larsen and all those on their editorial board ...to get the Tribune on board Against V and make a statement against V on the front page, not just once, but every week!

Short of all of the above, tell your freinds in Pacifica to Vote NO on Measure V. Meaure V Hurts Pacifica Working Families, Measure V Hurts Pacifica Small Business and Measure V primarily benefits an elite at Pacifica City Hall earning more than $100K. Everyone on Council recieved endorsement cash and is indebted to the unions, who made them promise not to do layoffs, salary reductions, furloughs or outsourcing. They don't have the courage to make the tough decisions themselves and have put the hard work to the City employees themselves to promote V, and for the voters to reject it. Its simple as that, its a no-brainer IMHO Kumbaya!

Tom Clifford said...

This is the part I hate the most but it must be done.

So I'll shake the tin cup and ask for your help in defeating this flawed and unfair tax.

Please send your donations to

Pacifica Taxpayers Against Measure V
1005 Terra Nova Blvd. Suite A
Pacifica Ca. 94044

Please tell your friends and family to VOTE NO ON MEASURE V

Thank you

Anonymous said...

Tom: Why not have a spaghetti feed or some other kind of fundraising party like they have had at Visions. Last thing I heard, (3 weeks ago) the Gusts were against the tax, try Nick's to play host. Wagner has a nice courtyard next to his office where they have parties on occassion, talk to him...

Anonymous said...

IMHO I don't think you can sway much of that target demographic. They're too interconnected with over-lapping interests and issues...library, the school crowd, anti-outsourcing, most civic groups, PRC supporters, seniors. Hell, the school crowd alone could probably pass it if the turn out is low enough. They put Nihart, O'Neill and Ervin in office. You all know that Council is counting on a low turnout saturated with these voters. You guys on the NO Committee have to get that turn out up and reach those absentee voters before they vote. Lot of absentees in low turn-out elections.
Sending a check and putting up 5 no votes at my house. Talking to everybody I know about this. The thing that seems to resonate with them is that the money can be spent on anything council wants. Anything. That and the fire tax bait and switch. Still a sore point with a lot of people.

hutch said...

We need you 709. Can you help out?

Anonymous said...

I'm not the previous anonymous, but he/she has good advice. I've worked on a few campaigns and here's how it's playing out on the YES side.

Above all, it's strictly a numbers game not a debate. You don't try to convince people to vote yes, but you first identify who will most likely vote yes and then follow up with them to make sure you get them to the polls. That way you flood the polls with YES voters.

You do accomplish this by requesting the voter registration rolls from the Registrar's office. Reps from committees are allowed to purchase these. These rolls will provide names/addresses/phone #s as well as political affiliation and if they're an absentee ballot voter, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY how many times they've actually voted over the last five elections.

The YES people will be focusing in on those who have voted 3-5 times out of the last 5 elections -- they are the ones most likely to vote in this sort of off-year election. In addition, they will most likely ignore Republican voters who are less inclined to vote for increased taxes.

They will call, give their pitch and identify those who will support the tax from among this group. Then follow up with a knock on the door in a couple of weeks to remind them. Another follow-up phone call the night before and a flyer/door tag the morning of the election.

Don't waste your time debating or arguing with people -- it's all about time management. If someone doesn't agree with you... MOVE ON.

IDENTIFY your likely voter from the rolls.
FOLLOW UP at their homes
CALL them the night before
REMIND them the day of

And don't forget that absentee voters can vote up to a month early and be sure to target them

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

That's right 1022. It's not a debate or a tug of war. Can't let egos or enthusiasm suck you into that trap because you don't have the time, manpower or money. Besides, you rarely "turn" anyone, particularly when they identify with a group that's supporting the measure, as is the case with this scam.

Your strongest appeal lies in the fact that you are a grassroots group of concerned citizens. Use it. GoDaddy is a cheap, fast way to set up a website so that you can gather endorsements, collect donations, refer to it in your posters and ads. KISS!

Get your info from the Registrar of Voters. Costs very little. Go in and they'll even explain the stuff to you and how to find the voters you're looking for. As previous poster said, Republicans usually oppose taxes. Make sure each and every one of them hears or reads your story. Most important, get to those absentee voters, all of them. Fast!

I'll say again that in talking with people it seems that the idea of unrestricted funds in council's hands and a reminder about the fire tax bait and switch are very compelling points.

You can do this. Be smart and be efficient. Shine the light on this scam.

Anonymous said...

808 Asking a business owner to publicly support or oppose a political issue is asking too much. They cannot afford to lose customers or good will in a small town. And make no mistake they would lose customers and good will no matter which side they're on. Rally at San Pedro park, the beach or pier?? Lovely weather. Get your permits.

Anonymous said...

11:41, you sound like a Pro-tax supporter. Remember, the Chamber of Commerce, made up of local businesses (See pacifcachamber.com for list of names of Board of Directors and supporters) came out AGAINST V. Can I repeat, Pro-UUT FAILED to get the Chamber to support this ill thought out deal. These are some of the leading businesses in Pacifica. It is precisely these folks who reject the drivel of the tax and would be glad to host rallies or window signs. They know that the success of V will hurt their businesses. On the other hand, Visions, a Pacifica business, was such a business who got on board your side of this issue and hosted your pro-tax party. Is her business that sensitive to the loss of spending power in the community this tax will bring? Are her customers working families?....I don't think she has that kind of business, so its her perogative to do as she pleases. We are against the tax, but will still support and patronize Visions. If some of my customers don't want to patronize me because of my political beliefs, then I don't want or need their business. Nice Try!

Tommy said...

Just remember when you all send in those checks that you can't sign them Anonymous. Contact Tom if you want to volunteer. He can use the help. Advice is easy to come by, actions speak much louder.

Anonymous said...

Oh thank God, 925, you can still get your hair or whatever done at Visions. What a relief! Hair Stylists are like dentists. Once you find one you like, nothing can keep you away.

Anonymous said...

Oh good grief 925 etc. It's real cause for concern that you are unable to see the difference between a politically active organization like the Chamber, actually its Board of Directors, saying it cannot support Measure V, and asking an individual business owner to come out publicly against V in a town where politics is a blood sport. Of course, then you make the comically predictable leap to assume anyone who doesn't share your simplistic tunnel-vision must be a supporter of this measure. My opposition to this scam runs far deeper, and even your clumsiness won't alter that. Others may not be immune, however.

I applaud the Chamber for taking a stand. Their statement of non-support, offering vital info and guidance to their members, was compelling and smartly written. IMHO this Chamber does not want to back a losing cause, so I interpret their thoughtful, measured participation as a positive sign of perhaps a growing anti-V sentiment in the community.

And a crack about anonymity and donation checks? Here? Couldn't help yourself? You guys aren't the brain trust for the group, right? Right?

Anonymous said...

I am telling all my friends and family to stop going to Vision's Salon because they are helping the city to tax us more.

Kathy Meeh said...

416, Vision's Salon (Susan Vellone) supports our local police department. To keep the level of safety, and the higher level of officer staffing-- Susan and the business support the UUT. She and the business are not "the bad guys". This is just a different, reasonable view than yours.

Do continue to support Vision's Salon, as well as other businesses and friends who disagree with you on this issue. What if they are correct and even more informed than you and others that are not willing to support the additional taxation.

So far this city is a big disappointment in its inability to move forward with needed economic development, other than the existing "fear plan" (tax or retract services), which usually turns-out to be tax and retract services.

Anonymous said...

Isn't your entire family hairless?

Vellone ain't stupid. Most of her customers are going to be voting for the measure, including a couple of councilmembers.

Anonymous said...

Yup. Kathy's phrase "tax and retract", kind of tells the story. We're on a long, slow downward spiral. Clearer every day. What might happen at the ballot box is that at the last minute voters set aside their negative feelings about more taxes and reluctantly face this town's reality. They may think it's better we descend slowly than hit bottom real hard. That's a hard argument to refute if you keep the discussion fact-based.

Anonymous said...

I wanna be real clear here. 525 is directed at 416. Definitely not at the intervening comment from Ms. Meeh. No way.

Kathy Meeh said...

546, yep, those of us "entire family" hairy heads appreciate your comment clarification.

Anonymous said...

Visited the Pro Measure V website, supportpacificasfuture.org. Very professional job. Nice and simple, ready on time. And they recycle! Click on the Endorsements tab and scroll to the bottom to see what I mean. Anyone remember a Measure Y on the June 5, 2012 ballot? How much did that consultant cost?

Hutch said...

Vellone has every right to support the tax. People have every right to do business wherever they like.

Hutch said...

Yes a very professional website for the yes side anon 612. Best money can buy. $55,000 of our money. Funny how they call it a "grassroots organization". Nice touch.

Harry said...

@5:25

Just because we are hairless on our heads doesn't mean we are hairless on our backs or behinds.

Anonymous said...

Harry, I'm going take your word for it.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, Hutch, they spent $55,000 taxpayer dollars and they got a recycled website with at least one
item left over from some earlier election with a Measure Y on the ballot. I think that's pretty funny. $55,000.

Anonymous said...

Hutch

Probably the reason why Duck Dynasty is the highest rated TV show in the county.

People would rather watch Duck Dynasty then pay attention what is going on their cities.

Wagner said...

Hey 4:16, that's the most ridiculous thing i ever heard. Boycott a LOCAL long time business because you disagree with her position on V. Hate the message, Don't hate the messenger!
I am adamately against this tax. Sue knows it. She's my friend and I'll defend her right to lobby for what she believes is right. No matter how wrong she is! Ha!
Couldn't resist, Sue.

todd bray said...

And yet you call others NIMBY or whatever insult fits your thoughts that day for locals who don't agree/disagree with the right things for you, Wagner.

Tom Clifford said...

Jim, I could not agree with you more.

Sue is not the problem.

The phone tax is the problem.

Vote NO on Measure V

And give Sue a big hug for me when you see her. She is good people.

Anonymous said...

From 925...Re 522....So retaining the police locally is the heart of Sue's support of UUT, Kathy? Or just one of many reasons she supports...? Did I say Visions was a "bad guy' for holding the party, no I did not say that, like Wagner, I said I continue to like and support her regardless of what she thinks. Did not the grand jury come out and say services improved where police was outsourced? Did not someone on here say that our police don't want to have to work at the jail? Both are good reasons to me to pray for outsource. But then you write the words "economic development". You have said, correctly so, that past councils have worked against economic development in so many ways. But UUT will not bring economic development, it will distress families like that of Julie Mattos, it will distress local business and may cause more vacant storefronts. We want to put more money in consumers hands so they can support our businesses, like Visions, not take it away. Measure V creates economic disembowelment, as pretty as that sounds, and that is bad for Pacifica. Not at all a long term solution to keep Pacifica Police Department here, maybe a band-aid solution at best.

Kathy Meeh said...

Todd 922, "Not in my back yard", (NIMBY) is simply an acronym of your local socioeconomic philosophy. The same political overlay that has destroyed the structural economic viability of this city.

Insult? Well. Most of us have learned to better understand, appreciate and respect reasonable environment issues; whereas, eco-NIMBYS who do not support higher fees and taxes, have also rejected balance city economic development. Without adequate tax revenue the city does not thrive. Additionally economic development provides local jobs and services (a green trade-off).

Anonymous said...

9:22

And you call everyone Rantons and Nazi's.

Tom Clifford said...

More Taxes is not the way to invite new businesses to Pacifica.
We should have put the $55,000,that was wasted on this tax measure, towards hiring an Economic Development Director and given him/her the power to market Pacifica as the place to set-up your business

Anonymous said...

Tom

It is much easier for city council, to just pass the buck to the taxpayers and utility users. I can slowly see this expanded to all utilities. You know all it would take is another $55,000 a couple consultants to waive the major wand.

We have another tax and spend, run away city council.

Anonymous said...

First we have a fiscal emergency. Now we have a surplus.

Say anything just to get elected, then say anything to stay elected.

Praise and kudo's to Bernie for term limits.

Anonymous said...



Anonymous said...
I think we should change the name of Pacifica to "Pacifica Del Azul"

Maybe then the city would see better days.

August 29, 2013 at 11:24 PM

Change the name of the city to Syria. Cause both Syria and Pacifica's days are numbered unless they radically change the status quo.

todd bray said...

Rantanons, Dramanons, Brownshirtanons, Stalkeranons but NO nazianons. That is the work of your various Anon's over active amount of time on your hands.

Anonymous said...

I triple dog dare you to mention that stuff on Riptide. You would be banned for life, so fast your head would spin.

At least we work. I hope you are proud of your self. You and your friends made Pacifica look like a 3rd world country

Take a bow!

Anonymous said...

We're circling the drain. That's situation normal for Pacifica. Might have a few bucks in reserve but nothing near the amount recommended for a city this size. Big bill coming from CalPers in 2016. City salaries here never retreated and they are going to start to climb again, probably this year. As a city, we still are uncomfortable with the idea of development. Otherwise, don't you think we'd have some? Something other than this farce on Beach Blvd? Maybe it's just not in the DNA at City Hall? And now this bright, resourceful Council has discovered the power of the UUT. These UUT modernizations are all the rage among struggling cities and this Council is nothing if not trendy. Con the voters into one of these and you have a steady and renewable source of revenue for decades. This is just another Council playing kick the can, albeit a council using more sophisticated methods to kick it. They know that the passage of time is the politicians best friend. All they have to do is keep us circling the drain.

Anonymous said...

Woohoo! The playground is open!

todd bray said...

I triple dog dare you to post using your own name.

Anonymous said...

I saw a great bumper sticker the other day in Linda Mar.

I am not a bum.

My wife works.

Anonymous said...

Yeah 636, your wife put it on your car wondering how long it would take you to notice. Good boy!

Anonymous said...

There is now a Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/DefeatPhoneTax

Real grass roots baby!

todd bray said...

636 lacks the, ah, equipment to have a wife no doubt otherwise 636 who be man enough to use a true identity.

Steve Sinai said...

6:36, are you sure you didn't see that bumper sticker in Frisco, Texas?

Anonymous said...

"6:36, are you sure you didn't see that bumper sticker in Frisco, Texas?"

You mean the guy who thought he was "King of Pacifica"? His wife kicked him out of the house and divorced him because he hadn't worked in years. He lost his Pacifica home to foreclosure. He had to leave Pacifica because he couldn't make it here. His main activity in life is sitting in his underwear posting on Pacifica blogs under false identities.

A real winner.

todd bray said...

Drama can't be THAT far gone.

Anonymous said...

"His main activity in life is sitting in his underwear posting on Pacifica blogs under false identities."

That is an icky vision.

Anonymous said...

1:03 - Couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy!

Anonymous said...

Huh. The world is changing. Democrats against taxing and Obama wants war. Who woulda thunk?

Anonymous said...

9:30

Every other President had a war of his own. He inherited 2.

Bush must have left him a war president cap in the oval office.

A tremendous waste of the last 12 plus years.

Anonymous said...

The alternative was to ignore the Middle East like Clinton did and it end up bitting us in the arse. At least we have had no major terrorist attack since 9/11. Plenty have tried though.

Anonymous said...

Or spend trillions on a war/s and not even get cheap oil, like Bush 2 did.

Anonymous said...

yeah, keep convincing yourselves. We can't let Obama look stupid or weak. So , put your war caps on. This will be a different kind of war, one the US has never fought before. It is called "Drive-by-Shooting. No boots on the ground. Not sure who the enemy is. Don't know where the enemy is. But, we will fly by and shoot, at someone. Just be ready to stand United. That's an order. Oh, and " NO MORE TAXES!!"

Anonymous said...

5:10

Clinton, did it in Kosovo!

Hutch said...

No, no new cell phone taxes