Preliminary Election Results
AT LAST!
Well, it's finally over! All that remains now is for the provisional ballots to be counted and we won't have any idea how that's going until 5 p.m. tonight. In past elections it has taken several days for those to be counted.
THE MOST RECENT RESULTS
As of the most recent count, with all precincts counted, the following are the results shown for local elections of interest. I'm going back to bed to try to get rid of this cold, but will offer my views soon. The next official update by the Neal Kelley, the Orange County Registrar of Voters, will be at 5 p.m. today.
68th ASSEMBLY DISTRICTApparently, between the two candidates, Allan Mansoor and Phu Nguyen, nearly $700,000 was spent on this campaign, with Mansoor having spent $371,000! I hope the broom closet he will have as an office in Sacramento will have been worth it.
COSTA MESA CITY COUNCILIn the nastiest campaign I can remember, carpetbagger and Orange County Republican Party darling Jim Righeimer has won a seat on the city council and, despite the best (worst?) efforts of the OC GOP at the last minute to defeat her, Wendy Leece has been re-elected. That's going to make for a very interesting dynamic on the dais. Young Chris McEvoy fought a good fight, stayed focused when Righeimer's minions tried to destroy him. I don't know what his plans are, but I hope he remains engaged in municipal activities.
MEASURE "L"The 2% increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax narrowly passed, but it did pass. Although it won't solve our budget dilemma, it will help. We'll see how those numbers shake out by next June. Thanks to those of you who voted in favor if this measure.
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICTThis was an interesting race. Incumbent Bob Ooten was re-elected, newcomer Jim Fitzpatrick and former District Board member Mike Scheafer were also elected. Long time Board member and former Costa Mesa mayor Arlene Schafer went down to defeat.
MESA CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICTBoard President Shawn Dewane was returned to office and, in the closest local race, it looks like long-time activist Dan Worthington narrowly defeated appointed Board member Jim Fisler.
NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Incumbent Judy Franco, with three decades of service, was returned, defeating challenger Loretta Zimmerman. Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Katrina Foley handily defeated incumbent Michael Collier. Now the BIG question - will she abandon her city council seat or not? Personally, I think we need her on the council now more than at any time in the past. We'll see..
COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Incumbent Jim Moreno defeated Shana Jenkins and former OCC President David Grant held off the "hanging judge", Lynne Riddle.
NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Incumbent Leslie Daigle easily defeated challenger Mark Tabbert and Rush Hill defeated Ed Reno. They join the unopposed incumbents Nancy Gardner and Mike Henn in victory.
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
It was no surprise that both Dana Rohrabacher in the 46th District, and John Campbell in the 48th won handily. In the 47th District, where incumbent Loretta Sanchez had a tough battle with Van Tran, it looked like it was going to be a close race. Tran was running neck in neck with her in the early counting, but Sanchez pulled steadily away and won with a solid margin.
NOW WHAT?
The most interesting result, of course, was Righeimer's election to the Costa Mesa City Council. Because of his strong, confrontational position on employee salaries and benefits fireworks are guaranteed in the months ahead as he tries to "fix" the problem and, as former mayor Sandra Genis warned, "use Costa Mesa as a petri dish for state-wide pension reform." Costa Mesan Bruce Krochman posted a comment on this blog late last night that says as follows: "So it looks like we will have Jim and Wendy seated on the council. It is time for me to stop politicking and start working with our elected leaders. To that end, Jim and I have agreed that communication is key. I will continue to express my opinions while supporting the leaders that my community has elected." That sounds like a good start for all of us.
Well, it's finally over! All that remains now is for the provisional ballots to be counted and we won't have any idea how that's going until 5 p.m. tonight. In past elections it has taken several days for those to be counted.THE MOST RECENT RESULTS
As of the most recent count, with all precincts counted, the following are the results shown for local elections of interest. I'm going back to bed to try to get rid of this cold, but will offer my views soon. The next official update by the Neal Kelley, the Orange County Registrar of Voters, will be at 5 p.m. today.
68th ASSEMBLY DISTRICTApparently, between the two candidates, Allan Mansoor and Phu Nguyen, nearly $700,000 was spent on this campaign, with Mansoor having spent $371,000! I hope the broom closet he will have as an office in Sacramento will have been worth it.
COSTA MESA CITY COUNCILIn the nastiest campaign I can remember, carpetbagger and Orange County Republican Party darling Jim Righeimer has won a seat on the city council and, despite the best (worst?) efforts of the OC GOP at the last minute to defeat her, Wendy Leece has been re-elected. That's going to make for a very interesting dynamic on the dais. Young Chris McEvoy fought a good fight, stayed focused when Righeimer's minions tried to destroy him. I don't know what his plans are, but I hope he remains engaged in municipal activities.
MEASURE "L"The 2% increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax narrowly passed, but it did pass. Although it won't solve our budget dilemma, it will help. We'll see how those numbers shake out by next June. Thanks to those of you who voted in favor if this measure.
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICTThis was an interesting race. Incumbent Bob Ooten was re-elected, newcomer Jim Fitzpatrick and former District Board member Mike Scheafer were also elected. Long time Board member and former Costa Mesa mayor Arlene Schafer went down to defeat.
MESA CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICTBoard President Shawn Dewane was returned to office and, in the closest local race, it looks like long-time activist Dan Worthington narrowly defeated appointed Board member Jim Fisler.
NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEESIncumbent Judy Franco, with three decades of service, was returned, defeating challenger Loretta Zimmerman. Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Katrina Foley handily defeated incumbent Michael Collier. Now the BIG question - will she abandon her city council seat or not? Personally, I think we need her on the council now more than at any time in the past. We'll see..
COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Incumbent Jim Moreno defeated Shana Jenkins and former OCC President David Grant held off the "hanging judge", Lynne Riddle.
NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Incumbent Leslie Daigle easily defeated challenger Mark Tabbert and Rush Hill defeated Ed Reno. They join the unopposed incumbents Nancy Gardner and Mike Henn in victory.
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
It was no surprise that both Dana Rohrabacher in the 46th District, and John Campbell in the 48th won handily. In the 47th District, where incumbent Loretta Sanchez had a tough battle with Van Tran, it looked like it was going to be a close race. Tran was running neck in neck with her in the early counting, but Sanchez pulled steadily away and won with a solid margin.
NOW WHAT?
The most interesting result, of course, was Righeimer's election to the Costa Mesa City Council. Because of his strong, confrontational position on employee salaries and benefits fireworks are guaranteed in the months ahead as he tries to "fix" the problem and, as former mayor Sandra Genis warned, "use Costa Mesa as a petri dish for state-wide pension reform." Costa Mesan Bruce Krochman posted a comment on this blog late last night that says as follows: "So it looks like we will have Jim and Wendy seated on the council. It is time for me to stop politicking and start working with our elected leaders. To that end, Jim and I have agreed that communication is key. I will continue to express my opinions while supporting the leaders that my community has elected." That sounds like a good start for all of us.Labels: 2010 Election Results
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 11/03/2010 09:49:00 AM
37 Comments:
Righeimer clearly has a mandate from the voters of this City--fix our financial house. The unions outspent him 3-1 on negative mail and hit pieces but he handily defeated them and surprisingly finished first. The big loser here is Leece. She barely squeeked by. She is now an independent. The GOP has disowned her. Glad to see Measure L passed--we NEED the money! It's time for reconcilliation!!
I certainly hope that the CMPA and CMFA haven't poisoned the well with their horrific campaign. Jim's resounding, definitive victory clearly demonstrates that the associations picked the wrong strategy.
There needs to be a serious effort by the CMPA and CMFA to build back up the bridges they burned in this campaign - they owe it to the citizens of Costa Mesa.
Rob Dickson, funny, I seem to recall some very questionable tactics by Righeimer's campaign. Do you feel there is any reconciliation on that side necessary? No?
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Geoff, obviously everybody needs to work together, but how can you seriously compare the two campaigns? What questionable tactics are you talking about?
Rob Dickson, Well, let's see. The faux outrage at the DUI checkpoint designed for a confrontation with the CMPD. The lies and character assassination of Chris McEvoy when it became apparent he was actually a threat to Righeimer. The attacks on Wendy Leece by Righeimer's buddy, Scott Baugh, and the rest of the Republican operatives for not obeying the commands of the OC GOP. The whole contrived "stink-eye" affair by Bever and Eric, along with Righeimer's brother-in-law Mark Bucher... that's for starters.
I think it would be good if, as Rodney King asked, "can't we all just get along", but it appears to me that many bridges have been burned on both sides. I'm not sure who the great peacemaker will be in this process... it will make for interesting theater.
If Lester would have had a clue and dropped out throwing her endorsement behind McEvoy, Chris would have won.
Interesting!
Geoff, in order for us all to get along, everyone needs to be honest about what happened and own their actions. Not one thing you cite was any pasrt of Righeimer's campaign. Not one.
1) DUI checkpoint. Total non-issue if four CMPD officers had not run to the Pilot, allegedly in violation of department policy, with allegations that were ultimately not supported by their own digital audio recordings.
2) No Righeimer mailer, website or public statement ever contained any "lies and character assassination of Chris McEvoy." Remember, people making comments on blogs speak for themselves, and that includes both sides. I am talking about official statements, websites and mailers.
3) Scott Baugh and the OC GOP speak for themselves, not Righeimer's campaign, and Council Member Leece asked for their endoresement. Ms. Leece brought them into ths campaign on her behalf.
4) Eric Bever and Chris Eric perceived police intimidation, and that is their interpretation of the events. Neither Jim Righeimer or Mark Bucher contacted Chief Shawkey regarding that incident.
Again, we need to move forward and focus on working together to benefit Costa Mesa. The first step is reconcilitaion, and that requires honesty.
With 9,000 votes in a city of over 100,000 I don't call that a mandate. Kind of pathetic, but that is America today people don't vote.
I hope what this election shows is we need more qualified candidates. We had 5 people run for 2 spots, with 2 of the candidates not even being remotely qualified (Lester & Petschel). What kind of choice is that? I hope that the negative campaigning and the GOP influence won’t scare away those who really care about Costa Mesa.
Rob and Geoff,
The great peacemakers will be the citizens of Costa Mesa demanding that they work together to help solve problems or suffer the consequences.
As much as I may disagree with tactics and positions on many side, I am looking forward to the city working through our current financial situation while keeping an eye on the future and what will inevitably be better times.
I recognize that different factions will entrench to protect their "turf", whatever that is. But the art of leadership is moving people in a direction for the better.
So, let's get moving people!
Geoff, sorry for the dual post, but I wanted to follow-up regarding the stink-eye comment. I know that the "stink-eye" issue is a big joke to you, but it REALLY isn't funny. CMPA President Rieckhof confirmed that the officers did drive by multiple times and take pictures - his explanation as to why was reasonable, but the issue is Chris Eric's perception. I spoke with Chris after the incident, and he was legitimately concerned and shaken.
I'm curious why you totally discount his perceptions while repeatedly endorsing and embracing the perceptions of CMPA leadership regarding Righeimer. Mr. Rieckhof's highly inappropriate public council comments about the DUI incident are just one example. The CMPA perceives Righeimer's calls for fiscal sustainability as "hostile" and even implied that he did not care about drunk driving, which is not supported by anything he has said.
Bottom line, and this IS fact - supported by every candidate forum and mailer - the Righeimer Campaign took all the CMPA and CMFA association dirty hits and never responded in kind.
In fact, and it is disappointing that you don't recognize it, Jim stated that he wanted to work with the unions if elected on sustainable compensation policies, even proposing a bipartisan committee or commission. In response, the unions fought him even harder.
Our police and fire departments are integral parts of our community, and they enjoy widespread public support - all I ask is that their association leadership drop the overt hostility and work with Righeimer to move Costa Mesa forward.
Sucks to see Jim Righeimer win after all of the dirty things he did with the fairgrounds and this election.
Although I'm glad the CMPA and CMFA told the truth about Righeimer, they might have gone over board. If people just paid attention to all of the horrible decisions he has made for Costa Mesa, he would have lost.
At least Righeimer's tactics didn't work against Leece. She not only won. She won with courage, dignity and honor! That's in contrast with Righeimer who won with dirty tricks, deceit, and dishonor.
McEvoy did a great job too considering he only spent $2K compared to Righeimer who seemed to be past the $65K mark.
What's next for Costa Mesa now that Jim Righeimer is elected? The destruction of the fairgrounds, LED mega billboards, more fast food chains, less mom and pop businesses, higher deficits, and bankruptcy. Not all Republicans are created equal. Righeimer is proof that there are some you just should not vote for.
Nearly everyone on this blog lives in a bubble. You have no idea of what the real Costa Mesa residents care about. We saw what they care about yesterday. Now that Righeimer won, he didn't win by enough, or he won playing dirty. Now it's "McEvoy almost won." Stop it. Righeimer won. This was democracy in action. You all need to get up from your computers, get out and get involved in this community to see what people really care about. Nothing complained about on this blog mattered or will matter in two years. Righeimer won because he struck a chord with the voters on the financial issues. I know that's hard for Officer Dimel to accept, but that's life. We all need to work together and move on.
Rob Dickson, Your naivete sometimes absolutely astounds me! If you actually believe that there was no interaction within the Righeimer campaign organization for each of those instances, well, you REALLY need to start paying attention. Those blinders you're wearing are certainly keeping you from seeing what's going on around you.
If Chris Eric and Bever were "intimidated" by the police looking at them, well, I guess Bever did the correct thing - he contacted Chief Shawkey. The police, based on reports, also did the right thing. They suspected that the signs might be placed illegally close to the public right-of-way, so they took photographs - with a cell phone camera, not a "huge camera" as was reported by Bever - and communicated with their supervisor. The "press conference" at the site which included Moorlach, Righeimer, Fitzpatrick (who apparently had nothing else to do, as usual), Eric, Bever and Mark Bucher was just a "little bit" of overkill, don't you think? And, I've still not heard the results of the report from the outside investigator, have you?
Nothing said by Righeimer during the campaign forums indicated that he wanted to sit down with the bargaining units - his very obvious intention was a one-sided confrontation. Watch the tapes or streaming video. If someone looked me in the eye and told me he was coming after my livelihood I'd fight back, too. So would you!
The whole DUI thing was contrived to do just what it did - another confrontation with the cops. I'm very disappointed that the "investigation" by Kim Barlow amounted to a whitewash of the situation. The residents of the city deserved better than what they received.
I agree that we need to find a way to calmly work these issues without the strong-arm tactics that seem so prevalent with members of the OC GOP. Now that Righeimer will be on the City Council I expect more, not less, interference by Baugh and his buddies in the internal workings of our city. That will be unacceptable and I will continue to call them out on it when it happens.
Glad it's Over...how dare you say I live in a bubble? I've lived in Costa Mesa for 20 years, I know what I want and me and my entire family (including kids) are involved in this community making it better in many ways, every day. I don't live in front of my computer, I live in this community with alot of people who are also involved and have been very vocal about what we care about (ex: preserving the fairgrounds). Your arrogant assumptions are offensive. Your post does not express a desire to work together. Just like Riggy and his wrecking crew, you want US to shut up and accept things your way. We will accept what we can't change but there is plenty of courage and commitment to continue working on changing what we can. I think your buddy Rob is the one in the bubble! The ball is in Riggy's court now to do something worthwhile for ALL of us, not just himself and the guys pulling his strings.
I always love to hear/read from the “Gloaters”; they always seem to be great winners and the worst of losers. Just remember that when Barak Hussein won the he had everyone who voted for him gloating. Where are they now?
Jimmy won’t be saving this city, he will just be in the middle of more division. I hope I am wrong but don’t think so.
If “every” council member can get over these last few months of bad press and really come together to work for Costa Mesa's interest then we may have a chance… that and Bever showing up.
Dear CMPD and CMFD,
Well ladies and gentleman, the proof was in the vote last night. My fellow citizens of Costa Mesa do not care about you. They can preach all they want how they love our police but it did not show by voting for Righeimer.
Righeimer is anti cop and it will show in the months to come. I thank god I do not work for CMPD or CMFD. If any of you citizens out there don't think Righeimer will enact his revenge your high!
This guy is as arrogant as they come!!! I hate to say it men and women of CMPD and CMFD but I would get out of dodge if I was you! I know living here in this city, I would suffer from not having an adequate police and fire force but I want all of you to go to another department/city that appreciates what you do.
I've kept my mouth shut for too long during this election year but I had to say something because I'm absolutely shocked the majority of voters turned their backs on CMPD and CMFD!
Let the citizens who wanted Righeimer so bad see what happens when a majority of our departments leave and services go away!
I voted for McEvoy and Leece. I'm ashamed my fellow citizens did not do the same.
Good luck Costa Mesa! Next time you need help, call Righeimer! You all seemed to want him more!
Unbelievable!
The true test will be, "Who will be appointed Mayor?"
Glad and Rob,
With less than 10% of the population of Costa Mesa electing "Anyone" is not a mandate. If "Any" of the candidates goes into their term with that additude, we are all in trouble.
Bruce,
It is always nice to see someone expecting the best from "Any" of these candidates. Put you of all people know that the same 17 people will show up to council meetings month after month showing interest in what is happening to their town. In REALITY if Costa Mesian's gave a rat's butt about any of this they would have voted.
No debate is going to change what happens now, because the council is going to do what they're going to do. But if Foley stays, and Leece and Monahan vote there own opinions and not the OCGOPs (and I highly doubt Leece will be in lockstep with them anymore), at least there's no longer an unbeatable majority, and reason might prevail over bombast!
Now, when does the Bever recall start? I don't know if I can wait until 2012. I got some stink eye for him!
OCLomgHair,
I do expect the best, help me get it by expecting it too! The more people who expect the best, the better chance we have of achieving it.
As for those who didn't vote, God bless them as my vote counted just that much more. Obviously that was not enough in some cases to suit my ideals, but we have what we have and it is time to make it work.
I spoke with Chris after the incident, and he was legitimately concerned and shaken.
Really?! Sounds like a big ol' pu$$y if you ask me!!!
Well, looks like some are going to play the same games until the next election. Too bad.
The turnout for this election was 38.9%, which was high for a non-presidential election. Jim Righeimer got 31.5% of the vote, and a thousand more votes than Wendy Leece. You can parse the numbers all you want, but in the face of an unprecedented negative campaign and $160,000 in attack money from public employee associations and unions from inside and outside Costa Mesa - Righeimer's victory is very significant.
Newsflash - people who vote decide elections, and the people who vote in Costa Mesa made it absolutely clear what is important to them.
Geoff, I know that you think that I am a Kool-Aid drinking, naive, bumbling rube who just believes everything anybody ever tells me, especially if they're from the GOP. You keep saying it over and over again, so you must be right.
I mean, it is obvious that Allan Mansoor, Eric Bever, and Jim Righeimer all are capable of all sorts of Jedi mind tricks, and that explains how they've pulled off getting elected by tens thousands of people, as well as all the conspiracies you have so cleverly identified and detailed for us all!
You have to hand it to Righeimer - getting four cops to violate department policy to help him stage his contrived confrontation with CMPD at the DUI checkpoint by telling the media that it happened was a master stroke of manipulation! Getting them to record the fact that he was actually civil and didn't abuse anything was the coup de grâce!
Now I know to make sure to call you whenever I hear a GOP politician say something, because even though they say things like "sit down like adults" or "work it out" or "bipartisan" to describe public employee compensation discussions, I'm obviously too stupid to know that isn't what they REALLY mean. But you'll point me in the right direction, I'm sure.
Rob Dickson, your words, not mine.
He looked at me wrong:
Wow, what a brave person you are, with your anonymous insult!
Geoff, I post links to the forum video on your blog, with exact time stamp where Righeimer made a statement, and you still say he never made the statement.
I point out that the minute and a half checkpoint "confrontation" with CMPD - proven by police audio, which you transcribed on your blog, to not be a confrontation at all - would never have come to the attention of the media if CMPD officers hadn't gone to the media with it. Yet you say it was staged by Righeimer.
I really don't know what else I can do except try to illustrate the absurdity of your repeated assertions.
We're going to have lots of REAL issues to talk about, enough with the contrived ones.
Never underestimate the ignorance of the general public... they voted in Bever, Mansoor, etc., and look where it got us. Granted, the overall economy played the biggest role, but our leaders certainly didn't batten down the hatches and prepare us for a rough ride, let alone lead, did they?)... now Mansoor moves on and we'll get more of the same. Maybe Righeimer can bring back the Rule of Law nonsense, which changed absolutely NOTHING.
And I know Riggy's one platform was pensions and all those greedy, overpaid public servants who protect and serve us, but I thought there was nothing that can be done at the city council level to fix that right now, so if he got elected to do something he can't even do, what's the point?
I'm not the most informed, and I'm not the least informed, and I'll make my own decisions on what I see and read, and based on that, Riggy's gonna be a bust. Rob and his other supporters are all gonna go their way, and I'll go mine, and I sure hope I'm wrong about all this, but I think in the end we're all gonna lose - big time. Then we can blame Riggy's predecessors - which are the same people who got us in this mess to begin with.
How much rouge should Jimmy wear during his first City Council meet?
"Jim Righeimer", that's not going to help the healing... good question, but it won't be helpful.
rob dickson:
i have raised this issue numerous times leading up to the election and no supporter of righiemer has addressed it (understandably). now that the election is over, instead of raising the specter of the insidious influx of outside money coming into our city elections as dangerous you now cite that money as a reason your candidate's victory is that more legitimate. i wonder will you please address the following:
righiemer supporters have traditionally supported gary monahan, wendy leece, eric bever and alan mansoor. all of the candidates have benefitted from huge influxes of monies from outside the city from the ocgop establishment and the minutemen militia, to name a few, to get them elected. they have all welcomed voices from outside costa mesa to help them get elected and to push forward agendas when they governed.
with you citing this "outside money" that supported a very reluctantly accepting slate against your candidate as an insidious political boogyman, will you also call for baugh, moorlach, gilchrist, rohrbacher and every lockstep gop operative to stay out of our council affairs in the next two years? you speak of reconciliation. a public denunciation of these forces in our city would go a long way towards such ends. will you admit that it was only that when money from outside the city to a candidate you opposed overwhelmed the money coming in from outside the city that your candidate was raising that you finally saw this as a serious issue? do you think recalls for all of those that were elected with the help of money raised from outside the city the\at currently sit on the council is in order? if no, than why?
part of reconciliation and moving forward is truth. respectfully, i do not believe anyone (including bever) who raised the issue of "outside money" has the moral fiber to cop to their hypocritical stance on the issue and i cannot take any of you seriously until you do. in other words, either show me where i have this wrong, address your inconsistency, or stop bringing this issue up cuz you got no leg to stand on. i mean, to admit that outside money is a game (almost) all city council candidates play is to dilute your current and past candidates mandate and legitimacy, so i could see why its tough to face this one head on. but, in the spirit of reconciliation, give it a shot, brother.
Good lord, where do I start? Not even sure whom or what to respond to here. I will start with "Glad it's over", since he/she mentioned me by name.
I'm glad it's over too. Nothing is too hard for me to accept. Mr. Righeimer won, and that is clearly the will of the voters. Not really much more to say. perhaps you were expecting some sour grapes? Not how I operate. Sorry to disappoint.
Yes the CMPA did publish factual findings about Mr. Righeimer's record/past. Clearly those didn't strike a chord with the voters. That's politics. It's our (the PD) duty to drive on. We get up, go to work every day (and night) and do what we do, regardless of who sits on the dais. We might not like some of the decisions, but "ours is not to reason why...".
Rob Dickson: You're right, Mr. Righeimer never actually put out anything negative against McEvoy etc etc etc. However, those in his corner did, and I am sure much of it was done with his knowledge. Again, why does it matter? It's politics. That's how the game is played.
We're all big boys and girls. which was hard to tell at times, with all the schoolyard pissing and moaning. I agree wholeheartedly with those who have said it's time to buck up and move forward with the business of the city.
Mike McNiff,
Jim Righeimer's platform is all about bringing young families to Costa Mesa by improving our infrastructure, including parks, playing fields, streets, etc. and balancing the budget to pay for those improvements. The pension issue became the focal point, but he spoke in detail about revitalizing commercial areas and reasching out to businesses. He'll be on the Council for the next four years at least, and I think the City will be better off for it. Bruce is right - we should focus on working together.
folkinhippy, I haven't criticized outside money, I just pointed out the fact that a completely unprecedented amount was spent in an effort to defeat Righeimer by law enforcement, some of which won't be directly impacted by a Costa Mesa election. Obviously, they oppose anyone who questions the pension status quo - as the OC GOP opposes those who support the pension status quo. Read all my comments - I have never criticized the spending or where it came from, just noted the huge amount.
I am a big supporter of free speech and don't think that Costa Mesa voters are lemmings who vote according to whatever mailer they last read. I don't care where the money comes from - Costa Mesa voters always have the final say.
Rob Dimel,
Thanks - I have really appreciated your candid, no-BS responses and posts.
as the father of two- and four-year-old boys, i'll just wait and see, Rob... fingers are crossed, let the healing begin, and let's get things fixed. i hope i was wrong, cuz my wife hates it when i'm right all the time...
Mike McNiff:
You're right, in that if things don't go well for the council, they won't shoulder the blame. They will blame the employee associations etc. To some extent, they will blame outgoing council members,but that's a two edged sword.
It is correct that "pension reform" (I'm getting so tired of hearing those two words) can not take place at the municipal level. Everyone currently employed is locked into the retirement formula they were hired under. There is an "employer contribution" to PERS and an "employee contribution" to PERS. The city has graciously paid the employee contribution as a "perk" to make the benefit package here more attractive to potential employees. As we all know, times have changed. So, to ease the city's financial liability, the employees have started picking up all or a portion of their contribution. That helps the city, but not the overall PERS system.
As far as the "unsustainable" claims, again,it all falls to whose numbers you believe. Those against the PERS system say it is unsustainable. They have "cherry patched" snippets of statements from PERS to back that up.
I have unfortunately learned how government entities do their budgeting. They don't necessarily say we need "X" for our budget. They look at what they "might" have to pay, worst case scenario in any given month, year etc. It's all based on theoretical numbers. PERS has said if everyone in the system suddenly retired (at once), the system would collapse. It's just not possible for that to happen, but that's how they are told they need to budget. So,yes it's "unsustainable".
I would also like to clarify for those that are unaware, when a CM employee retires, they do not collect a check from the city anymore. That is no longer the city's liability. Their retirement payment comes from PERS.
What we have let our politicians do, is to get away with throwing inflated numbers out to shock the public. They have done it with PERS figures, salary figures etc. With the economy being what it is, people being out of work, 401k plans losing more money than they have earned, it has shocked people's sensibilities,and created an us/them tension. In a way it has created class warfare...among the middle class. If politicians can get us all pointing the finger at each other; we aren't really paying attention to what they are doing. We are to busy fighting with each other.
just to be sure:
all of the money that poured into our city at (previously) unprecedented levels over the last 10 years was free speech. it did not sway the voters of costa mesa, as they are not lemmings. it was mere coincidence that the people funneling money into our city just so happened to be backing whoever was the city chose of their own mind.
okay. got it.
i certainly have made an issue in the past about forces at work in our city and certainly do think its a big deal. i dont believe their should be restrictions on spending or say, who can speak at our council. but i do believe the people of costa mesa should be less "lemming" like when someone like, say, a gilchrist comes in to ruin our city for his own political grandstanding.
and i certainly believe that people like eric bever and yourself should not be posting complaints of outside city influence when up until 2 months ago your candidates have reaped the biggest benefits from it.
the people you support have always relied on outside money, influence and dirty tricks to get to city hall and now that someone spent more money in an election to oppose rather than support them, you think its an important issue to raise. like you say, not that you oppose it, but that everyone has to know where the money was coming from. how convenient for you to suddenly care about transparency; about everyone knowing who was trying to influence THIS election. and you speak of the unprecedented negativity of this campaign as if i havent saved some of the mailers mansoor and bevers supporters sent in previous elections.
i can get over the election, this and previous. i cannot get over your hypocrisy.
folkinhippy, you must be confusing me with someone else. The Daily Pilot used to have a functioning archive search feature that would allow you to see all my letters stretching back 15 years - I've never complained about outside forces in municipal elections, and I made a single reference to them in one comment here. That was a statement, not a judgment, to back up Righeimer's statement that the pension issue is not just a Costa Mesa issue.
Convenient, and telling, how you keep bringing Gilchrist up while failing to mention the universe of pro-illegal immigration activists who poured into Costa Mesa from all over the Western US at the same time.
Regardless, what really needs addressing is your incredibly insulting comments about Costa Mesa voters. How dare you imply that the people who voted in Allan Mansoor, Eric Bever and Gary Monahan are lemmings who fell for dirty tricks or were duped by the clever mailers circulated by out of town forces! Get a grip, folkinhippy, and deal with reality. It works both ways, as Katrina Foley has been consistently elected by the same electorate. People actually care about real issues, and despite 6-8 negative mailers a day, still voted for Righeimer because he actually had a platform and wants to make Costa Mesa a better place to live.
That's interesting someone else thought Jim Righeimer wears makeup. Something just looked funny about his skin tone at the town hall forums.
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