Candidate Forum Schedule
IT'S THAT TIME AGAINTOM'S BACK...
That press release, issued by former Daily Pilot publisher Tom Johnson from his newest business, Johnson Media, on behalf of Costa Mesa United, announced a candidate forum hosted by that group.
TWO MONTHS AWAY
The Costa Mesa United forum, which will be held Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue (Lions Park), will take place from 7 .p.m. - 9 p.m., preceded by a "Meet the Candidates" hour beginning at 6 p.m.
A DIFFERENT MIX
This will be a different kind of forum in that the theme, "Academics, Athletics and Activities" will feature not only candidates for the Costa Mesa City Council, but those running for seats on the Newport-Mesa Unified School Board, as well. Costa Mesa United President Gordon Bowley will moderate the festivities.
FOUR - SO FARThis brings the total candidate forums so far this year to four (4). Each of them will be held at the Neighborhood Community Center and I'll provide details of them as the dates approach. For now, mark your calendars with the following dates:
- Wednesday, August 29th - Mesa Verde Community, Inc., will host the first candidate forum for Costa Mesa City Council candidates.
- Monday, September 17th - The irrepressible Barbara Venezia and her collection of local news media honchos will host the always-fun Feet To The Fire Forum for Costa Mesa City Council candidates. No times have been announced yet, but I'll let you know ASAP when they are. I suspect it will probably commence around 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 26th - The aforementioned Costa Mesa United combination forum for Costa Mesa City Council candidates and School Board candidates.
- Thursday, October 18th - The Eastside Costa Mesa Neighbors Group will hold the final forum of the campaign season. Two years ago their event was the best of the bunch, so it will be worth waiting for again this year.
So far, nobody has stepped forward to host a forum for candidates for seats on the Costa Mesa Sanitary District or the Mesa Consolidated Water District boards. Historically, these races have been ignored by the public until they step into the voting booth, but this year there are some interesting elements in both.
A STEALTH TAKEOVER?
Based on the announced and presumed candidates for both organizations, it looks very much like the OC GOP intends to extend it's tentacles even further into our community by taking control of both boards. If events are scheduled for these races I'll let you know.
NO CHARTER EVENT SCHEDULED And, there has been NO event announced that will cover, exclusively, Jim Righeimer's Charter - the most important issue on the November ballot for Costa Mesans.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
So, take out that big red pen and mark your calendars. I'll remind you again - probably several times - as the dates draw near.
Labels: Charter City, Costa Mesa Sanitary District, Costa Mesa United, Eastside Costa Mesa Neighbors Group, Feet To The Fire Forum, Mesa Consolidated Water District, Mesa Verde Community
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 7/24/2012 01:06:00 PM
13 Comments:
Pot Stirrer,
You continue to assert that the "...OC GOP intends to extend it's tentacles even further into our community."
This, coupled with your sounding the alarm about the Council majority's alleged nefarious schemes intended to "dismantle" our fine City, are a mighty cynical bit of politicking by you and your merry band of anonymous commenters.
What you have conveniently omitted from your voluminous posts is a motive or an actual representation of what the Council majority is allegedly trying to do and why they are doing it. Lots of conspiracy theories, some wildly imaginative, yet no actual reasons.
Yes, Righeimer and Mensinger are developers - what about Bever and Monahan? We all know that, to you, "developer" is an epithet, which is actually silly as hell when you consider that the apartments, condos and houses that we live in, the stores we shop in, and the infrastructure we use were primarily built be "developers."
You constantly allude to "back room" deals without ever fleshing out just how any of the Council majority would ever personally benefit. Sure, there may be some campaign donations - but that coin has two sides - the vast majority of money pumped into local campaigns has been from labor organizations.
A far more reasonable explanation - and the one that has repeatedly resounded with the electorate - is that these men really do care about Costa Mesa's future and its financial viability. They care about infrastructure, public safety, recreation and the quality of life of our residents and businesses.
The reality is - you have NEVER reported on the real, practical implications of spiraling pension costs or employee layoffs prior to the 6-month notification letters.
Where was your critical eye when Katrina Foley said that she would go through the budget line by line and cut every single program/service/item needed in order to prevent the loss of even one city job? Guess what, that was a councilmember openly fighting to protect labor groups (and campaign donors) over the best interests of residents.
Where were you when the associations flatly refused to go back to the bargaining table in order to prevent the 70-100 layoffs Allen Roeder said would result from approving the contract extensions and not closing the $9 million deficit in October 2010?
You complain about Righeimer talking about a negotiating stalemate while posting dozens of "anonymous" posts which provide great detail on the labor side of supposedly closed session negotiations.
You only demand accountability from those you have a demonstrated personal animosity towards.
You are right - the Charter vote and the upcoming election are important to our future. how about you go out on a limb and try to play it straight?
This is your blog, for your opinions, and I do appreciate the forum, but at what point do you start fighting for what is best for Costa Mesa - regardless of political party?
i don't care if the ocgop "takes over" the council, school and special districts. I am for good governance, period. Ocgop already has the council and water district actually and all is fine. sanitary district has problems, maybe they can help. school district has been a mess, maybe they can help. whoever is best in governance is what matters, not what party they belong to though i think the dems are willing to give in to unions more than reeps. but that is just a true generalization. Is the candidate committed, has he/she put in the time? if incumbent, how is that section of governance doing? We at cm4rg are for responsible government. will we all support the ocgop guy at water district who is up for re election since the district is doing great or do we go after him because he is ocgop? That question is circulating. are all of us really for good governance? will we support the school district guy who supported the ousted Sup. at school district ocgop has an opponent? will be interesting. I like the incumbents at council except Bever and he is gone anyway. Not all, in fact not many, in my group agree with me but I am as for good governance as any of them. Some call me a mole but I have met a few who think the top of our org is a little whacky and a coup should be in order. If McEvoy was running I would make him my 3rd vote. Lester at top of my list for 3rd so far, she has been very active and respectful of others. Not all of us agree. Many are for Sandy, at least publicly, but voting is private thankfully. I love election time !
Best interests
If you are that bothered by what you consider the "cynical bit of politicking" don't read the blog.
CM4RG will meet Thursday to hand select our 3 Candidates for this election. We will celebrate a little and save the champagne for November.
We are so blessed to have the leadership of Robin, she cares so much.
These current Council members do not listen. For over 40 years we have been able to speak and Council listened. When we felt scared they increased public safety budgets. When we supported our wonderful employees they came through.
We want to preserve the Costa Mesa we knew and loved in 1970.
Geoff,
You don't owe Righeimer's proxies an explanation. They can stop reading and go back to pulling the wings off flies.
The Sanitary District needs help. The OCGOP is trying to take over the board and elect their buddies.
We need to support Art Perry and Jim Ferryman. They are supporting CM4RG candidates. We need to supper them. They are Republicans. They had Leslie Daigle signs against Mansoor. They have been good board members for over 20 years. These new guys want to put the trash contract out to bid and we never thought it was a good idea.
As a supporter of this blog and those that post here we all need to support these guys.
They supported me, I support them. That is how it needs to work.
sk,
Right - because, really, politicking is all that matters to you, isn't it? Not talking about real issues, or even trying to understand them, just broad generalizations and character attacks.
We all saw that in the last election - how much did the public safety associations spend on defeating Righeimer? That little trailer must have been pricey, as was the buckets of money poured into supporting Wendy around the time she changed her tune. They never once discussed sustainability of pay and benefits, they just attacked Righeimer's character.
Best Interests? said,,,
how can anyone attack Righeimers character?
He doesn't have any
"they just attacked Righeimer's character."
BIG target.
@Troll Tracker-
Correction: his character is a small target as he lacks character. His ego on the other hand is a huge target.
We all know Riggy is crook who doesn't pay his bills or debts and will screw anybody at any time. This guy has done nothing but ring up a huge bills for. the City and ruin a once great City. Thanks Riggy-- A-Hole.
I don't think the days match the dates listed here?
Can you please confirm
OK, you're right. I apparently went into major brain fade. I've double-checked each date (and day). It is correct now. Sorry about that - thanks for slapping me straight! ;-)
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