I attended the bulk of last night's candidate forum at the community center. There was a decent crowd , around 200 which is good considering that game 3 of the World Series was starting (I made my wife text message me inning updates).
I got there right at 6 o'clock so I furiously scribbled some burning questions on note cards and handed them in at the last minute. It's a shame none of my questions were asked.
The crowd was full of recognizable faces that you see at all the city council meetings and community events. All the players, wannabees, pundits, hacks, and lobbyist...you know, nerds. I sat as far away from this "in" crowd as possible.
The forum moderator was a cute perky girl with a tinny microphone that kept giving off screechy feedback. Here is a tip, never point the mic at the amp.
Here is my 2 minute review and impressions of the candidates:
Doug Long: He seems like your typical old Encinitas beach dog complete with the old school mustache and a nice enough man. His appeal for me ended there. He seemed unprepared and lacked confidence in his opinions. He stammered a bit and had a deer in the headlights look in front of a crowd of people. Now, public speaking is one of the hardest things to do in the world so I have sympathy but I don't see him doing well in a council meeting that isn't as congenial as last night's forum. I came to the realization that Doug Long doesn't want to win and he is only running because somebody talked him into it. I relate to that one.
Dan Dalager: Dan's usual witty humor and charms were falling flat last night in a room full of pissed off taxpayers who have run out of patience. Dan easily switched back and forth from easy breezy "Hey, I'm just your local tool guy, you all know me." to the arrogant "I'm the smartest guy in this town and it's my way or the highway." Dalager and Long both came off like a couple of old stoner buddies trying to give a group report in the front of the class. I had to look away at the floor because it was a little hard to watch.
Thomas Brown: He was the most professional looking man up there which added to the goofy nature of Long and Dalager. Brown definitely has a corporate vibe to him and would probably be really good at getting stuff done. But what stuff would that be? I was unclear if he was for or against declaring Leucadia "blighted". This is my greatest concern. Brown obviously knows every developer in north county, is this an asset or does it compromise his position? In a lot of ways Brown struck me as more of a Carlsbad guy who somehow ended up living in Encinitas. Brown is clearly the superior candidate as far as the men go.
Teresa Barth: I had a letter published in the Coast News last week giving Teresa glowing support. After last night I feel so good about writing that letter. Teresa is clearly the most informed candidate on the real concrete issues that face our town. She is dignified and sharp as a tack. She has a very valuable asset, she has a keen radar for bullshit. Judging from the applause she received last night from the crowd this town is in a pressure cooker and Teresa could be the release valve. She is not only the obvious vote I think she has the potential to be the best city councilperson this town as ever seen.
Paul "Pablo" Martens: The mysterious "Pablo" was welcome comedy relief for the most part. At times his long winded babbling was painful and a women behind me kept letting our long frustrated sighs as Pablo obviously doesn't have a clue about our local issues or any real grasp of the political structure of this town. He did have some great one liners though. His "I drink the tap water." line made me laugh out loud and it also explained a lot. Pablo still thinks he is running for the 50th district and not for Encinitas city council.
My recommendation: If you want to try the bullet voting method then vote only for Teresa Barth with confidence, she is great.
If you must vote for 2 then add Thomas Brown because at least he seems responsible enough not to jack us out of our tax money. I also don't see Brown ever calling our city founder Bob Bonde a "whiner" like Dalager did.
I scrammed out there at 8 o'clock, did I miss anything good?
NCT.com piece on the forum: Encinitas candidates meet at final forum; 5 competing for two open seats
What if we were to mark the box next to
ReplyDelete"write in candidate" on the ballot,and then
write the name J.P. St.Pierre ???
Isn't it now against the law in San Diego to write in candidates?
ReplyDeleteCheck out the first blog comment at the end of the North County Times article. Is that true?
ReplyDeleteThe 1st comment is by a worried Long supporter. Pay it no heed.
ReplyDeleteSolar panels are a good investment over the long haul. Get off the grid.
ReplyDeleteand i believe you get a tax credit for the cost of installation. I am installing them in the desert. The block of batteries if you want to really "get off the grid" are a little pricey and require owner
ReplyDeleteconsciousness for PMS and safety.
You'd make a good reporter JP. Very solid forum report. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWonder which question you had for each candidate that was not asked.
ReplyDeleteYes, JP, excellent piece of reporting.
ReplyDeleteI got there late, too, as I foolishly thought it started at 7:00, instead of 6:00.
Someone told me, after, which was pretty close to 8:00, JP, that the first half hour was just hob-nobbing, meet the candidates, stuff.
I thought it was very interesting that none of the candidates were prepared to ask other candidates questions, except Teresa Barth. We need someone like her, who can think on her "feet," so to speak. Yes, she was direct, honest, and calm. She was passionate about her opinions, but cool as a cucumber.
Yes, I think bullet voting for Teresa and writing in one candidate, like JP, would be swell.
Don't forget to check the write in box. That was the deal in SD. You couldn't just write in the name; one is required to check the write in box for the vote to count.
I came in late, too. I looked around, but there was no one taking late questions, like in Olivenhein. But there, my question wasn't asked.
ReplyDeleteIf I could have asked a question, I would have asked what each candidate's opinion would be on putting a referrendum on the ballot for us to become a charter city, or not, where the charter would be like a Constitution, that could only be amended by the voters, and would supercede any new ordinances, where there might be a conflict.
Teresa Barth did say she thought an Attorney could not be elected as City Attorney in a General Law City (General Plan, which Council can change)when someone asked what they thought about the idea of having an elected City Attorney. She said she would want to look into this more.
ReplyDeleteNo one asked the elected Mayor question. Both of these possiblities could be addressed through our becoming a charter city like San Diego. This would empower the taxpayers, the voters.
Doug Long repeated that the City attorney does not represent the citizens, but only City Council and City staff. He's wrong. The attorney should represent the people through our public servants.
Dan Dalager and Tom Brown were weak on the City Attorney question too. I was glad someone asked.
Tom Brown seemed afraid to ask anyone hard questions, like Teresa Barth did, of Dalager, about the overbudget library, which he has mis-stated is "on time and on budget." ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI think Tom Brown seemed a bit "cowed," maybe by the "special force" allegations, but that wasn't asked, either. He does seem decent, but, yes, I wouldn't want him to get elected instead of Teresa Barth.
Bullet voting sounds good to me. I'll write in JP, too!
Kind of a weird vibe, in a way. Moderator kept telling us not to clap, but we clapped for Teresa, anyway, too.
My favorite forum was Cardiff. There we got to ask questions from the audience, no pre-screening.
ReplyDeleteNice job, Ms. Cobb. She was the best moderator, imo, too.
Teresa Barth has shined, every time!
There were several questions regarding spot zoning. All candidates suggested there had to be a very good reason and serious public benefit even to consider it.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have asked about the proposed "Affordable Housing Overlay Zone" that is being proposed citywide in the new Housing Element. Sites throughout the city would be identified to allow huge density increases if they provided affordable housing (RR-1 to R-11).
This sounds a lot like rezoning to me. I wonder who will be in charge of deciding which developer's properties qualify. Huge potential for corruption. Would be interesting to see who among the candidates would be supporters for such a boondogle.
My question was "Should Leucadia be declared "blighted" an RDA formed and private property taken via eminent domain? Yes or No answer only.
ReplyDeleteStop any overlay zone.
ReplyDeleteSo JP, you're recommending that people vote for a guy who lied about his service in Special Forces? I question your judgment on this one. Maybe you are just trying to keep votes away from other candidates (Dalager/Long). Better to just say bullet vote for Teresa and keep your credibility -- sorry too late...
ReplyDeleteThis is from the city web site:
ReplyDeleteThe City Attorney represents the City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District. The City Attorney advises the City Council, City Departments and City Commissions regarding legal matters of concern to the City and its operations
I'm recommending a bullet vote for Barth.
ReplyDeleteIf want to pick two you could always do a protest vote for "Pablo", he is the local version of Nadar in this one. But if "Pablo" bleeds off 1200 important votes for Teresa that could be bad.
And, I already nuked Tommy Brown for the special forces thing. Got some threats for that one.
ReplyDeleteNO-NO-NO- RDA are like a fungas. Once it gets a toe hold it spreads, attacks the body everywhere takes years to clear up.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Gil meant fungus (plural fungi), a group of organisms which include mushrooms, molds, mildews, smuts, rusts, and yeast. A fungas would be like laughing gas, a lot of fun, but not very dangerous.
ReplyDeleteargh!
ReplyDeleteThe grammer police are back!
there is a fungus amungus.
Just teasing, thanks for pointing it out.
Moron caller, you are a moron.
ReplyDeleteThe City Attorney should represent the citizens, through Council and staff. Council and staff are public servants, representing the people and the City Attorney, although contracted, is also a public servant.
Stop calling people names and get a clue.
Anonymous calls a pervious poster a moron and then says "stop calling names and get a clue"??????
ReplyDeleteHey dillweed, You just called someone a name, right?
As for "get a clue"...
How about you learn to read, dillweed.
I checked the city website and despite what the anonymous stoner thinks the city attorney SHOULD be, the previous name caller was right!! The website says: "The City Attorney represents the City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District. The City Attorney advises the City Council, City Departments and City Commissions regarding legal matters of concern to the City and its operations"
The city attorney has stated in public meetings that he represents the city council. HE DOESN'T REPRESENT THE CITY! Listening to him, you will find out that his job is to keep the collective and individual council's butts out of the fire and presumedly out of jail. No one represents the city's interests.
ReplyDeleteDear poor anonymous retard freak loser. I have checked the city website and it says: "The City Attorney represents the City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District. The City Attorney advises the City Council, City Departments and City Commissions regarding legal matters of concern to the City and its operations".
ReplyDeleteI don't have a clue what your diagnosis is but would sure appreciate it if you would stop spreading your retardation here.
Dear poor anonymous retard freak loser. I have checked the city website and it says: "The City Attorney represents the City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District. The City Attorney advises the City Council, City Departments and City Commissions regarding legal matters of concern to the City and its operations".
ReplyDeleteI don't have a clue what your diagnosis is but would sure appreciate it if you would stop spreading your retardation here.
Dear poor anonymous retard freak loser. I have checked the city website and it says: "The City Attorney represents the City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District. The City Attorney advises the City Council, City Departments and City Commissions regarding legal matters of concern to the City and its operations".
ReplyDeleteI don't have a clue what your diagnosis is but would sure appreciate it if you would stop spreading your retardation here.
Redundancy, redundancy, redundancy. Listen to the council meetings. The vision is that a city attorney represents the city, the reality is that the city attorney represents the city council. Stop calling names.
ReplyDeleteDoes your mommy know that you still eat your own poo, don't know how to read, and don't know what to do?
ReplyDeleteBros,
ReplyDeleteAnyone who pays any attention knows that our city attorney admits to working in the interest of the council, not "the city." He covers their asses and does what they say. This will happen when you don't have an independent elected city attorney.
Glenn does the same things for the City of La Mesa.
How else can you explain the perfect example of Glenn acting on behalf of his employers in a manner that is contrary to the laws and principles of american government? This example is the Tanner/La Mesa example. http://www.sdcitybeat.com/article.php?id=4084
Our council uses Glenn in the same way. Against the people.
I totally agree with JP's opinion about Doug Long, I know him and his wife personally and I tolerate him because he is an old friend of my husbands. I get the impression that he is kind of a cold person.
ReplyDeleteI would not feel like I was in good hands if he was sitting in a coucilman's seat, the people of Encinitas voted wisely in not electing Long.