Opinion: City Council & School Board Candidates

If you haven't had time to watch the current parade of talent running for City Council, I offer up this quick-pick review to help you tune in. We are charged with picking two out of the five candidates running for council: Cal Hinton, Pete DeJarnatt, Mary Anne Nihart, Tod Schlesinger, and Jeff Simons. You might be inclined to keep things the way they are and vote for incumbents DeJarnatt and Hinton, or you might want to throw caution to the wind and vote for Schlesinger and Simons. But if you are thinking of change that is beneficial to Pacifica, change that will improve our city without ruining its small-town character, that vote would be for DeJarnatt and Nihart. 

DeJarnatt has proven again and again that he can develop a long-held position over time. As new information on an issue comes to light, he can adapt his understanding of it and adjust his opinion to include it—a rare talent in a politician, one worth keeping. For instance, Pete's understanding of the Highway 1 issue and his developing position on it, from supporting lanes to rethinking the problem logically to find a way to improve circulation flow—the real issue—shows he's paying attention and understands the complexities of issues facing us all as a community.

Nihart is standing up for progress in Pacifica, not the kind of unreasonable pro-development, pro-growth ramblings of Hinton, Schlesinger, and Simons, but real attainable progress that comes from the bottom up by way of citizen committees and organizations. Like DeJarnatt, Nihart is a learner, an involved one at that.

Finally, we have a chance to blow apart the long-standing Old Boy Network of the Pacifica School District Board of Trustees, and elect two new faces, Cynthia Kaufman and Eileen Manning-Villar, who bring openness and fresh ideas to the PSD arena. This is the first election for the school board in 10 years. Elections in the past have been avoided by midterm appointments of ideologically similar candidates by the sitting PSD board members. Incumbent Laurie Frater is one such appointment. This year we have a choice. Cynthia and Eileen are the way of the future and a positive choice for the school board. 

TODD MCCUNE BRAY

Comments

[Bill Collins]

The voters have spoken, and the Sierra Club-endorsed candidates prevailed over the more growth-oriented candidates.

I don't want Pacifica to look like Daly City. D.C. has a bigger tax base, but would you want to live there?

[todd bray]

Back in the late '80's Todd replaced Warren as the first guy killed in horror movies.

I didn't meet my first Tod(d) until I was 27. I met three other Todds on the same day while working on a film title 1969, a local low budget flopperoo.

So no there are no normal Todds.

[Steve Sinai]

Tod Schlesinger, Todd Bray, Todd Palin, Big Head Tod - is there anyone named Tod(d*) who's normal?

[Lance]

Little Tod's not big enough for Double DD's.
Lance

[Cynthia Montanez]

Ms. Donan:

Mr. Simons worked with various members of the community and the City and County of San Francisco to get the old tires removed from the Sharp Park land. He is also working with the dog park group to help them find and establish a series of dog parks that will be accessible to the various people that would like to use them. He has studied the budget of the City Attorney's office and noted that instead of keeping Pacifica out of litigation, we spend more proportionally than any other community in California on litigation and legal issues.

Yes, he does bring these issues to the City Council, and yes they choose to do nothing about them. I'm sorry that you see his complaining as just that. I prefer to see it as getting the job done.

My favorite politician is Barack Obama. He listens to his critics and does some self reflection to see where they may have a point about his performance/ideas/opinions. He has publicly stated he changes his positions by doing just that. Our current council has chosen to ignore those that would point out a differing opinion. If Mr. Simons sometimes seems frustrated and angry, can you blame him for that because things that are of concern to the community get ignored?

[todd bray]

Dear everyone, Tod Schlesinger's name is spelled with one D, not two. To a two-D Todd, it makes a difference.

Todd Bray

[Sue Donan]

Ms. Montanez:

I apologize for misspelling your name.

I was hoping that you would give me some concrete examples of what Jeff has done for
our community.

In my earlier post I asked:

"What has he [Mr. Simons] worked to accomplish for this town? . . . Leadership is not just something one can claim with mere words -- it has to be demonstrated."

Your answer was "Mr. Simons has participated in small ways and large." Participated in what? Please give me some examples. Also participation is not the same thing as leadership.

And I find your statement "I do think that someone who is willing to get the job done is more valuable than someone who wants to talk about what we need to do" interesting.

All I know about Jeff Simons is that he goes to City Council meetings and complains about what he thinks is wrong with the city. To me that is just talk. Although expressing one's opinion has its importance and role, until I locate some concrete examples of what Mr. Simons has actually DONE to better this town, I do not see him as a someone we want sitting on our city council. We need a leader not a constant naysayer.

Sue Donan

[Lionel Emde]

If people want to do something concrete about the Financial Advisory Task Force, the opportunity is coming up:
Nov. 3 (Monday) at the Police Dept. on Highway One at Vallemar. (Call them to make sure the meeting is happening.)
I hope to be there, but if it's not possible, the San Mateo Grand Jury's report on employee benefits states that Pacifica city employees who retire enjoy one of the highest rates of any employees in the county.
As a sidelight, North Coast County Water District retirees enjoy the highest rates of any municipality or special district in San Mateo County.
Why is this?
There's nothing wrong with a good salary and pension benefits, but why is it so much more in Pacifica, a relatively poor community?

[Cynthia Montanez]

Ms. Donan, please if you are going to engage me, try to spell my name correctly. It is a small courtesy. As for your perception that the majority of the community supports the current council. I beg to differ. Mr. Will Martin pointed out at a council meeting no less, that 60% of the voters voted against the current council at the last council race.

Mr. Simons has participated in small ways and large. Getting anyone on our current council to listen and participate is not going to happen. I've been asking for someone at the City to approve $3,000 for a pair of highway signs to alert out of town travelers that there is a business district. Not one of our concil members will direct staff to do so.

I would think that instead of spending $6 million in legal fees that we could take $3,000 out of the city attorney's budget to support the small businesses that make up Palmetto avenue.

Mayor Vreeland promised me he would do this. Took my hands in his and looked me in the eye. Promised me. Yeah, I'm still waiting. I talked to an old college friend who works for CalTrans. Her advice, put up the signs and then deal with the paperwork. Still waiting.

Look at what Pete DeJarnatt just did for the people in the Sr. Apartments (that the city of Pacifica holds the note for). Nothing. He admitted in last nights meeting that he heard their complaints... and did nothing.

Julie Lancelle, I appreciate what she wants to do, but she has not really done anything. She supports green building policies, but does not understand what they are or how they really affect the community at large. So we now have a green building task force with no clear direction and no goals set by the council for what they should be doing. In 2010 the new buildign codes take effect. They mandate that all new structures be built to the LEED silver standard.

Ms. Digre, well, she doesn't really seem to be prepared most of the time.

Mr. Hinton, has been out of the process due to health issues.

Again, this is just my opinion, and while I don't always agree with Mr. Simons, I do think that someone who is willing to get the job done is more valuable than someone who wants to talk about what we need to do.

You may not like what he has to say, but as we are $100+ million in debt with no obvious way to pay it back, don't you think you should rethink your position? Don't you think its time for someone to take responsiblity for getting us out of this mess? How much more are you willing to pay in property and parcel taxes?

[AVRIL HUGHES]

the live 3 minutes of todd last night was quite disturbing.todd went into his rant immediately. not even one moment of a slightly sane lead in. his repeated threat last night was something like "and how's that working out for you?" "let's see how that works out for you?" " we'll see how that works out for you, pete." "there's ian butler rant rant rave put illegally edited videos rant on youtube rant of me rant rant how's that working out for you ian?" made a veiled threat to city council then said " we'll see how well that works out for you!!! all delivered in a ranting demonic sounding monotone growl.
i have definitely decided that i'm not voting for todd!!!
love
avril

[Dan Underhill]

" the most entertaining portion of the council meeting is Council Communications"

Aren't you overlooking Mr. Schlesinger's scintillating contribution? I watched it on Pacifica Community Television's streaming web video and hearing Todd's input made me feel as if I was really there.

[lance fernork]

Actually, the most entertaing portion of the council meeting is Council Communications. Like listening to fingernails on the blackboard. On and on they go and where they stop they don't even know.

[avril hughes]

i would like to add that just one of the "acts" that you may witness at council meetings is available at http://californiacitynews.typepad.com/californiacitynewsorg/gadfly-hall-of-fame.html love avril

[Sue Donan]

Ms. Montenez:

While I always love to see another vote for Obama -- Heaven knows we desperately need change at the national level -- I am puzzled about your support for Jeff Simons.

Perhaps you can change my mind about him if you could inform me of any positive changes that Mr. Simons has brought to Pacifica. What has he worked to accomplish for this town? Pacifica is big on community involvement and my observation is that most of those folks elected to City Council have really worked with community groups for some time before taking a Council seat. Leadership is not just something one can claim with mere words -- it has to be demonstrated.

In Pacifica, you have to "walk the walk," not just complain about everything that one thinks is wrong with the current Council.

I am also wondering how Jeff Simons is going to get elected if most folks do not agree with him.

Sue D.

[Bill Collins]

I'm becoming frustrated with our city government, and can almost understand the angry people who nag the council at each meeting.

Look at how the Polystyrene "ban" is going - After the initial council vote a month ago, there's now a voluntary ban proposed(oxymoron) because some businesses supposedly don't want to move ahead. (While the responsible businesses have already done the right thing).

Don't the Polystyrene businesses realize that some of us already don't spend our money where food comes in toxic Polystyrene?

Supposedly Council wants a voluntary ordinance. When did they say that? What a waste of time and money.

Millbrae already did this, South San Francisco is about to do it, but they're too out there for little ole Pacifica, the City whose motto should be "We Can't."

[L. C. Walker]

"Gathering everyone together and talking, we've been doing that for 30 years." The only reason to oppose finding out what the community wants is that you might find out they don't want what you want.

"It's time for quick and decisive action" Exactly what quick and decisive action would that be? Can you be more specific or is this the Mussolini model of government?

"the City of Pacifica will be no more." This is blatant and fallacious fear mongering. The City of Pacifica is not in danger of disappearing. This kind of demagoguery should be, though.

[Cynthia Montanez]

Oh, and I'm also voting for Obama for the very same reasons. Change is real, and it needs to start at all levels of government.

[Cynthia Montanez]

Ms. Donan:

I think Jeff Simons is willing to do the work, I think Ms. Nihart is too much into discussion and consensus building, I do not believe she will have the force of will to create action required. Ms. Nihart has a history of supporting the current council which has a history of just waiting for somone to bail us out.

As Mr. Emde continues to point out, we continue to bail and the water continues to rush in faster than we can bail. Its time for action, and while most people don't agree with Mr. Simons, I believe he is willing to tackle the issues head on and make the hard decisions to solve the problems.

Just my opinion.

[Sue Donan]

Ms. Montenez:

If you do not think that Ms. Nihart, a community activist joining in and getting things done in Pacifica for more than 20 years, is not "prepared for the task at hand" who pray tell is?

Sue Donan

[Lionel Emde]

I emphasize the need for an outside look at our city finances.
There could be a task force devoted to this, or, the Finance Advisory task force just created could be expanded to look at city expenditures as well as possible tax increases.
The public is not going to be receptive to a tax increase "because we say it's so".
An accounting of expenditures, as well as revenues, is all important.

[Cynthia Montanez]

S.C. Stone - A true, seperate, reserve fund is required by law in the State of California. Ms. Ritzma is not the right person for the position, she is a Human Resources Specialist, not a Finance Director.

Under all previous City Managers, questions have been asked and answered as they are supposed to be. That Mr. Rhodes is doing his job, and while he is doing it rather well, is just that, doing his job.

Again, Ms. Nihart is very nice, but I don't think she is prepared for the task at hand. Gathering everyone together and talking, we've been doing that for 30 years. It's time for quick and decisive action or as Mr. Emde has put it, the City of Pacifica will be no more.

[Lionel Emde]

Good, so we have, (in theory) a $7.2 million reserve.
We also have a $17 million pension obligation to city employees that we cannot pay, therefore the city council is issuing bonds to add it to the city's long term debt obligation. The problem is health benefits, which are required, by the accounting rule GASB45, to be cash in the bank.
The total cost to the taxpayer of these bonds is estimated to be between $25 and $30 million at maturation.
We also have not covered these benefits since August 2007, which is the end of the period covered by the prospective bonds. That amount is unknown.
Staff members, who have a personal interest in salary and pension negotiations, are the ones negotiating contracts with staff!
We need an outside, impartial look at the situation, before we become Vallejo South.

[Steve Sinai]

Marketing Pacifica and having an economic development committee/employee/strategy are good ideas, and I'm glad Mary Ann recognizes the need for them, but they've been talked about for years. They aren't her ideas.

The problem has been that Sue, Jim, Julie and Pete have failed to implement these kinds of ideas, even though they talk about them. Mary Ann seems awfully similar to these four, so if they weren't interested in implementing these types of ideas, I don't think Mary Ann would push the issue.

I believe Jeff would.

[S.C. Stone]

Mr. Bell
You still have not given me any examples of when you heard Mrs. Nihart refer to the reserves. I am truly curious about that issue.

In addition, I made a point of calling Ann Ritzma (sp?) this week and she quickly walked me through the numbers. Until Steve Rhodes took over, there was always a separate reserve fund, now the fund is referred to as the beginning balance, which is earmarked for no particular project or to pay any bills (so I think Ms. Montanez came the closest to being correct here). Ms. Ritzma told me that the council members still use the old term, reserve fund. She was also very helpful in pointing out the source of the numbers, because it is the beginning number on the summary page of this year's budget. That is around $6.4 million plus another $800,000 received from a lawsuit settlement in our favor puts us at the $7.2 million to which Mr. DeJarnatt referred. She talked me through the document that you can download from the finance page of the city website and it was all very clear. Also, it has passed the state auditors' recent review. I am truly curious why that seems vague to you.

Also, Mary Ann has some very good ideas about improving city revenues; you should actually hear her speak sometime. In fact, her ideas are so clear that her opponents are now beginning to speak of them as well. For example, Mr. Hinton is now talking about "marketing" Pacifica, for which Mary Ann has a good plan and she has been talking about repopulating the economic development committee for over a year and now it is in Mr. Simons' flyer. She seems to have more in common with your candidates than not. Interesting indeed!

Be careful about repeating beliefs over and over that are just not true. One does not want to sound like the Bush people.

[Frank Siciliano]

You can't build an economy upon a commodities bubble, even if that commodity is suburban residential real estate. It won't work. Not in Pacifica, and not anywhere else in America. "Build baby build" is a bridge to nowhere.

The Guardian recently published a series of articles reviewing several practical methods for building a sustainable future:

http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=7338&volume_id=398&issue_id=402&volume_num=43&issue_num=04&l=1