Who Should Take Vreeland's City Council Seat?

steve February 28, 2012 at 12:20 pm

I agree that the next vote getter should be the appointee. The elections were very recent and we do not need another "special election" This city government needs to get some things done and not table and talk as in the past.

hutch February 28, 2012 at 01:01 pm

The only fair thing to do is to let the people decide in November. The Council has the option of not appointing anyone and holding a special election. We are already going to the pols then so it shouldn't cost a whole lot to do it.
No way will we go along with appointing the next runner up from an election held almost 2 years ago.

hutch February 28, 2012 at 01:05 pm

"The Sierra Club if for Leo Leon"
That's all I had to hear.

Flo February 28, 2012 at 02:16 pm

I think Bruce Banco would be a great appointee. I don't recall he has any interest in being on the Council, which to me makes him a perfect appointee. He would have no favors to pay forward or would he bring political ambition to the table right now. He is presently deeply involved in the City Services Finance Committee (may not be the exact name) and given the fact that financing is the most important issue facing the City at the moment, he has done amazing research. He also has served the community for years and is well respected in the community. Of course, he may not be interested in a short appointment, if interested at all. Just someone to think about....

hutch February 28, 2012 at 02:25 pm

@ Flo, That Finance Committee Bruce is on is a huge joke. They have failed miserably in presenting a fair survey and recommending MORE TAXES for Pacifica.
No THANKS! Let the people decide in November.

Todd Bray February 28, 2012 at 02:32 pm

Bruce would be nice Flo, but Leo did come in 4th just over a year ago.

hutch February 28, 2012 at 02:41 pm

Sorry, Leo is unacceptable Todd. Council will not appoint anyone. The people will decide in November.

Todd Bray February 28, 2012 at 03:40 pm

Leo is acceptable Hutch. Perhaps a vote will be the wish of council Hutch. However what happens if there is a stale mate regarding this issue?

Flo February 28, 2012 at 05:30 pm

Todd, I doubt there can be a stalemate. They will appoint, or they will wait for the election. Meanwhile, things don't get done. And Hutch, I wasn't so much applauding the results of the Finance Committee findings, as I was speculating that someone like Bruce would have no political debts or promises. I suppose a case could be made that the Committee was manipulated and, if that were true, I'd resist the appointment of anyone on the Committee. Leo has indicated he will be running again and all of his decisions will be political. Maybe that's fine, I don't know. I just want our City to move forward, not stall.

Todd Bray February 28, 2012 at 06:10 pm

Below is a link to Section 36512 which details the allowable action(s) by our city council to fill the vacancy.
http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/cacode/GOV/1/4/d3/1/s36512

hutch February 28, 2012 at 07:21 pm

Todd we knew that. It's pretty simple. The council can appoint someone or they can just put it on the ballot in November.
We'll wait until November and let the people decide. Don't worry, your man Leo can run then, but he wasn't what they wanted a year ago so I don't know what makes you think they'll want him now that things are even worse? But maybe you do know Leon can't get elected that's why you want the job handed to him? Either way he is a totally unacceptable appointment. An appointment would have to be a neutral candidate. Leon has shown he sides with the no growth contingent. Sorry.

ian butler February 28, 2012 at 09:05 pm

Leo was slightly ahead of Jim on election night,but by morning had dropped a few hundred votes behind. His showing was respectable and if Jim hadn't been in the race Leo probably would be in office right now. That being said, Susan Vellone was only 100 votes behind Leo, which isn't too shabby.
According to the code an appointment doesn't have to be for the full term. Section 3: "Provides that a person appointed to fill a vacancy on the city council holds office only until the date of a special election which shall immediately be called to fill the remainder of the term."

hutch February 28, 2012 at 09:38 pm

This is amusing. The no growth folks are losing their power and are trying to get one of their own appointed.
Do you guys realize your folks (Vreeland, Digre and Dejarnett) are the reason this city is in such dire straights? And you think we're going to go along with you wanting Leo Leon who was recommended by the Sierra Club? Very funny. You guys are cracking me up. The tides have turned. Pacificans don't want more of the same crap we've had for the past 10 years. Get it? We're not appointing any no growth pro tax save the hills and Mori Point, No Quarry building anti development NIMBY's. Ha.

Debra February 28, 2012 at 10:41 pm

The City of Pacifica has been taxing us for years! Without our permission I might add! As I told them a few weeks ago when they were attempting to force homeowners to replace sewer lines (that are not broken) as a tax paying citizen of this city I am appalled at the size of your cahones! Do the rest of the homeowners in this town realize that every time we reject a proposition to add X amount to our home owner's tax that the City basically triples that amount (referencing the fire prop which was attempted a couple of years ago at $70.00 per home owner) that year the City of Pacifica imposed Fees to the tune of over $240.00 to our home owners tax bill. I do not know about you? But I cannot afford the current government of Pacifica! If we do not give they simply take! I say we recall the lot of them and get people in office who actually realize that without growth, we will simply fade away. Our Taxes keep climbing while home prices keep diving! I have lived in this town longer than any member of the board! I am exactly 11 days older than Pacifica itself and have lived here my whole life. Now sad as it is, I wish I could afford to sell my house and move as far away as possible. This town used to be a great place to live, now thanks to our "NO GROWTH COUNCIL" and their faithful followers it is getting way to expensive to live here.

Conrad Peterson February 28, 2012 at 11:38 pm

"We're not appointing any no growth pro tax save the hills and Mori Point, No Quarry building anti development NIMBY's"
You are not appointing anybody. The Council will decide whether or not to appoint, and who to appoint. You can advocate your point of view, but 3 members of the Council are enough to make a decision you disagree with.

hutch February 29, 2012 at 02:17 am

Debra, I'm so sorry you have had to endure these slime balls raising your fees so much. It was Vreeland, Dejarnett and Digre that loved to try and tax you to death. It was also those three that held up any development in this town for the past 10 years while they gave the unions everything they wanted. With Vreeland gone and Dejarnett "saying" he won't run (hopefully) that leaves only Digre who will be impotent if we elect 2 pro growth - anti tax - tough on the union Council members.
The other two Council members Mary Ann Nihart and Len Stone just saved us from yet another tax. We need to support them and elect two more like them so this city can finally move forward.

Steve Sinai February 29, 2012 at 04:28 am

You can bet your booty that those who advocate choosing Leo because he finished fourth wouldn't be using that argument if Susan Vellone had finished fourth.

Trish Pedersen March 24, 2012 at 04:30 am

In my perfect world, Susan Velloni will be selected to fill the interim City Council seat.