FORUM: Chavez to focus on election
By ROCKY CHAVEZ - Oceanside councilman | ∞
As I am continually approached by concerned citizens expressing their worries about our country and our city, I thought I would share a few ideas and plans of my own.
I, too, am worried about the directions we have been taking. It sometimes seems like aimless wandering while applying different patches to problems. We have an important presidential election this year, which offers a great opportunity to discuss what we want for America's future and to take part in the process of putting a plan into action.
Some of the topics that need to be addressed:
-- Finding alternate forms of energy and reducing our dependence on oil is important.
-- Funding the infrastructure that makes America function, like roads, water and schools.
-- Defining our foreign policies that address our cultural and economic interests with other countries.
I urge every American to participate in the presidential campaign. Get involved, listen, talk to your neighbors, participate in a campaign if you have the time, and vote; it's important.
On a local level, in Oceanside, I am also concerned about our quality of life. As the potholes in our roads deepen and worries about our financial future increase, I decided to throw my hat into the ring and run for mayor because I believe we need active leadership at this time. For example, residents have been complaining about zoning issues ---- I think it's time we looked at our general plan.
We need our roads fixed, more jobs, our own "infrastructure" improved, and we need to ensure that we can afford everything that we plan for our city, now and in the future. The voters of Oceanside overwhelmingly agreed to fix our schools, which is excellent news and a contribution to a better future for our children.
We need to actively discuss and then put into action a vision for the future of Oceanside. Being an elected leader is not just about cutting red ribbons; it's ensuring that we have the local economy to keep that business running. It's not about just handing out proclamations, but supporting the public-private partnerships that keep students in school and out of gangs. It's not just about cuddling a cute puppy, but to stem the flow of unwanted pets to the shelter. And it's not just about voting yes or no, but of going into the neighborhood, rolling up your sleeves and working with opposing factions to agree to a shared solution.
To that end, I am running for mayor. I have also decided to leave my position as chief education officer of the School of Business & Technology Charter High School so that I can devote all my energies to the campaign for mayor. I'm proud to see the teachers and parents of SBT working on a plan to improve the school, and I am very supportive of these efforts.
SBT has helped many of Oceanside's children in the past six years; there is value in a smaller educational environment. We hear from former students often, and their success is heartwarming. I will continue to teach the AVID Senior Seminar as a volunteer.
However, I now want to concentrate on the future of the city of Oceanside. I again urge everyone to become involved this year. There is a lot at stake, and we can change our future ---- it's in our hands.
Oceanside resident Rocky Chavez was elected to the City Council in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.
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More than a one-trick pony wrote on Jun 26, 2008 6:21 AM:A local candidate with more than one issue of public safety in support of unions. I will be watching this local election to see where the candidates stand on "issues" that concern me and my wallet. I care about jobs, clean community and good roads.
Dancing for Dollars wrote on Jun 26, 2008 6:27 AM:Your sleeves are caught in the drawer of political contributors. This neighborhood sees Robertson's Concrete on your campaign contributions list! You voted for this plant and now the City is being sued. There are many more who will help pay you back the money you loaned your last campaign, all $36,000. of it!
Quality of Life wrote on Jun 26, 2008 6:44 AM:You are sounding very environmentally correct all of a sudden! Voting on business's who contaminate the air and waterways is not looking out for the residents. Casting your votes, in the newspaper, in favor of potential polluters, before hearing from the Public, is not a "shared solution," but the developers are the fat cats throwing money at your campaign. You should run for the School Board, after all, they let you keep those School doors open way too long. Obviously, taking money instead of managing finance is your forte! We do not need leaders, we need listening representation and you failed the test Rocky.
Board Watcher wrote on Jun 26, 2008 7:49 AM:STB is a great school and the oUSD school board wants to see it be successful. Rocky needs to do everything he can to get the charter renewed the next time it come before the school board.
Randy wrote on Jun 26, 2008 8:20 AM:Rocky is totally and completely out of touch with reality. People are concerned about losing their homes and jobs first and foremost.
Hilarious wrote on Jun 26, 2008 9:00 AM:Good old Cut and Run Rocky wants to improve our community? Nice, Rocky. Bail out on the kids at the last minute before an embarassing hearing in front of the school board.
This man has consistently voted against neighboorhoods including yes on the lagoon project, CityMark, Robertson's 'we will flood out' concrete plant, and every other project that has a developer donation attached to it. He has also said he will vote for an asphalt plant that will have thousands of gallons of superheated oil and thousands of gallons of propane on site above the San Luis Rey River and next to Capistrano neighborhood.
Do not be fooled folks. This man could care less about you, your community or your potholes. Afterall he is the one who keeps voting to put more and more 80,000 pound trucks on our streets. Do you know what that does to the pavement? That's right: potholes. Ole Pothole Chavez bailed on the kids and he'll bail on any promise he makes to you, too. Unless you donate to his campaign.
Say what Rocky wrote on Jun 26, 2008 9:04 AM:In a related story, you are quoted as saying you will be giving up your seat on the Charter School board to, "concentrate on politics".
You just don't get it Rocky...we don't want elected officials to concentrate on "politics", we want them to concentrate on LEADERSHIP and SERVICE.
Find another hobby!
Randy wrote on Jun 26, 2008 10:50 AM:Countrywide Mortgage is the titular head of the subprime lending crisis, just as Rocky is of the SBT debacle!
Randy wrote on Jun 26, 2008 11:03 AM:"Chavez to focus on election"- That will be a first...Rocky has never focused on anything before!
Pay back is a commin wrote on Jun 26, 2008 12:20 PM:I am wondering "Rocky" if any of our "Burger Flippers" that are now Voters will remember you at the polls in November. NO! I don't think their parents or grand parents will either.
Thats what you get when you dont think
before you speak.
Sure he has wrote on Jun 26, 2008 12:43 PM:Sure Rocky has 'focused' on stuff before..like taking donations from every developer around. Money first, class and ethics last.
GFN wrote on Jun 26, 2008 1:12 PM:If you can't run a small charter school, how do you expect to run a real city??? Boooo
Polly Wally do Rocky wrote on Jun 26, 2008 5:26 PM:Rocky is probably the slyest of the KFC group. Unlike his Republican pals K&F, he pretends he cares about our neighborhoods to get our votes and then shafts us. He is not consistent but he is a typical politician. I am sure Rocky told F he did not have a chance in hell to win Mayor. So to keep their cozy little special interest- bought threesome he tells F to just run for council so we don't let the other side take control. Then to top it off because Rocky wants to be like Johnson and use it as a stepping stool to state politics. He runs for Mayor. Well Rocky this should ruin your chances to ever be anything but a bought and paid for Oceanside councilman because you will lose for Mayor just as your other Republican idol John McCain will lose the presidency by a whopping margin. We need a change from the philosophy of the Republicans with their hands out taking care of their buddies instead of their electorate. I think the school board is a great place for Rocky because you don't necessarily have special interests trying to buy your vote. Remember Rocky you have made your developer buddies happy but have ticked off the electorate with your support for concrete and asphalt plants.
whats your game wrote on Jun 26, 2008 8:39 PM:I think that this is a smoke screen
to take the attention off Jack Feller. Rocky gets the heat and Jack slips in the back door. Sorry guys we are smarter than that !! by-by Jack
Support Jim Wood wrote on Jun 26, 2008 9:54 PM:Rocky doesn't like it that our mayor hold a puppy in tv spots about the Humane society. He wants to save the strays. Why does he think the mayor holds the puppy? To get people to adopt strays and unwanted pets! Rocky says a lot of things but votes a completely different way. There is no honesty in his rhetoric. Sorry Rocky my vote will be to relect the mayor who is a real human being not an ego who spoutes platitudes.
Wake up Oceanside wrote on Jun 26, 2008 11:45 PM:This election is about leadership in difficult times. The mayor and his cohorts, including the new City Manager have given away the city treasury to their own benefit. The gift of public funds to the City Employee Unions as political payback are unprecedented. Now we face a strained budget with the worst yet to come. Whether you like Chavez or not he has proven to be fiscally responsible over his years on the Council. Jim Wood is still a man with a lot to prove and many more to get even with. I prefer someone who will look out for the interest of the taxpayer first in this difficult economy.
Vote for Jim Wood wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:50 AM:If Rocky really cared for Oceanside he would listen to the community instead of the out of town developers. Vote for Wood.
Throwem all out wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:33 AM:As Oceanside redefines itself from "Oceanscum" or "Oceanslime" as it has long been known, we need to get rid of that whole gang of hacks with the small town political mentality that leaves the city as their personal play thing and esteem ehnancer.
Its time for a new breed of elected official, representing the new breed of Oceanside resident.
Small Town Politics wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:34 AM:Small town politics for a small town. Nothing has changed in this regard for 50 years, and it never will. Personally, I've heard Mayor Wood say some very questionable things that convinced me never to vote for him. Rocky....I'm still not sure about. But SBT has nothing to do with it. SBT is not a "debacle" as one poster put it. It may not be flourishing as some had hoped, but there are far bigger "debacles" in this city than a small charter school trying to survive. Like the out of control costs of public employees and their pensions. Just as the unions have driven the automotive industry overseas, and had just about bankrupted the airlines (with the final blow being fuel costs), they will have the same sort of negative influence in the next decade or two on our local and state governments, including the schools. Who knows? Maybe without Rocky, the school would have been long gone by now. But regardless, if you don't want to deal with small town politics, you better move to a bigger town!
Randy wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:40 AM:Rocky's first act as Mayor: Authorize offshore oil drilling platforms next to Oceanside Pier!
YES Vote Jim Woods wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:03 AM:Sorry Rocky, you talk about saving our cities quality of life? I am new to this city, but wanting to live next to the ocean, and Buccaneer Beach spot, You HAVE RUINED that for ANYONES CLEAN ENVIRONMENT, by voting for the Robertsons Cement Plant, whom funds your campaign....HOW IS THAT HELPING THE NEIGHBORHOODS, or Putting your people First....THE FACTS ARE TRUE, you LIED...in this article. You are all about having developers put monies into your campaign.
We are HUGE SUSTAINABILITY PEOPLE. NOW THEN SHOW US A REAL PLAN with the REAL Technologies that we can call OCEANSIDE A CLEAN - SELF SUSTAINABLE CITY????
I know it doesn't come from a Concrete Company, an Asphalt Company, or Numerous Cell Antenna Applications....
I hope people see and know the truth...your rhetoric is not charming.
Woods or Chavez wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:06 AM:Either or.... We the people demand that our CITY STAFF, start planning with 50% sustainability building...solar, wind turbines, - WATER CRISIS...dude, where is the water run off catchers to feed back to buildings landscapes? UHHH OUR STAFF IS NOT VERY OPEN...or seems ready to head to really Putting our CIty on the top of the list. Seems like there are sneaky politics with campaigns being funded, by developers who don't give a rats bootie about how our town is in 5-10 years. WE NEED CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Roberto wrote on Jun 28, 2008 3:28 AM:Heck, I read half the article before realizing this wasn't Hugo!
Are you People Nuts wrote on Jun 29, 2008 7:27 PM:Oceanside just started a $250,000 consultant study of Hill Street (Coast Highway). Not to be outdone by the non-implementable Oceanside Blvd Study we are looking at another, unconstrained by money or reality, attempt to make Coast Highway a pedestrian friendly walking corridor with upscale boutique shops. Let all go to the public workshops and see the mayoral candidates in action. Watch the waste in action.
JVC wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:15 AM:Gee, no need to spend all those special interest dollars on a mailer, when Rocky has the NCT to publish his drivel. He'll support whatever his high dollar contributors, most of whom aren't even in Oceanside, tell him to.
Citizens are sick of politics as usual, and they'll see through you and the rest of the special interest puppets.
I learned Did You wrote on Jul 1, 2008 11:05 PM:I will never fall for Rocky's contrived say anything, do what big money wants.
Do you realize Rocky has run in every election since 2002! He has run against Jim Wood twice and did not beat Jim and he won't this time but he needs to raise money to pay off losing endeavors so just know you won't be voting for a new mayor, you'll be helping Rocky raise money.
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