ORez wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:04 PM:Let's be entirely fair and accruate in our reporting, NCT. The sequence of events was as follows: Councilmembers Sanchez, Kern and Feller spoke their positions, and the Mayor then asked if anyone else had anything to say. Mr. Chavez hesitated, then finally announced that he would weigh in. AFTER he was done, the Mayor spoke. The description given in the article is of events that occurred AFTER the Mayor had spoken and was about to call for the vote -- it was at this point that Mr. Chavez decided he had to speak AGAIN, thus giving HIM the last word, and the rancorous exchanges started. I'm no fan of Mayor Wood, but a little context is important. Having said all that, both of these "leaders" acted like spoiled children. Neither deserves to be Mayor.

NUTS wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:29 PM:Mr. Chavez caused the rancorous meeting to get press. What we need is Change! REAL Change. Lets VOTE everyone out of office in November. ALL of them have gone stale.

THE ONE wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:38 PM:With these two canidates running for office and the development of our downtown,I feel sad for our beloved city. I believe we should change our city motto to "The Emperor wears no clothes."

Leadership by Example wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:52 PM:It is the Mayors job to be the process leader for the Council and to elicit civil, if not congenial, discussion among the Council Members. Holding the gavel gives you the right to insure discussion, but not control the discussion and certainly not to circumvent the discussion. Without a “call for the question”, Mr. Chavez was correct in his assertion, and Mr. Mayor you could have followed up on his comment had chosen to do so. I believe that to stop indeterminate discussion, particularly when the decision was as predetermined as this issue, is a waste of time. However, letting Chavez talk twice on this issue is not excessive given his dissenting position. To excuse the Mayor’s bully pulpit is to suggest it is alright for anyone who has reached their tolerance level to display anger and aggressiveness in pressing their point. What a bad example he sets for the younger generation, I expect more of our elected officials and especially the Mayor.

ORez is right wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:53 PM:ORez said: "...both of these "leaders" acted like spoiled children. Neither deserves to be Mayor."
Or on the council at all, if you ask me. I hope the voting citizens of O'side give them both the boot in November.

Hate Oceanside wrote on Jul 18, 2008 2:06 PM:Who cares both Wood and Chavez need to go. Oceanside voters deserves this junk!!

Mayor Wood wrote on Jul 18, 2008 2:55 PM:Did the right thing! Chavez ruined the ghetto schooland wants to bring more of his crap to the office! How many times is he gonna hang his hat on his being a Marine! Napoleon or what?

OCEANSIDER wrote on Jul 18, 2008 2:56 PM:"...spoiled children..." "...give them both the boot..." "...both Wood and Chavez need to go..." These are uncivil words used to attack Wood and Chavez for being uncivil. These are silly, juvenile, hysterical, and immature characterizations of something that is VERY unimportant. Both Wood and Chavez have worked hard for Oceanside and they do NOT deserve these meanspirited attacks. So based on a trivial incident of flared tempers, we punish them by destroying them? I happen to favor Jim Wood to be reelected as Mayor. I watch all the Council Meetings and I think Mayor Wood does a very good job running them and that he is an excellent Mayor. Rocky Chavez is a hard working, sometimes passionate advocate, and, in my opinion, he'd do a good job as Mayor as well. Who else has expressed interest in the job that is more qualified? Nobody, in my opinion.

Full Moon wrote on Jul 18, 2008 3:09 PM:Jerry Kern got downright acrimonious with the voters also. Kern thinks people do not read or watch these meetings.

OffYourHighHorse wrote on Jul 18, 2008 3:33 PM:Hey, OCEANSIDER, the characterizations of Wood and Chavez as being "spoiled children" is an entirely accurate description of their behavior. When spoiled children get frustrated, they lash out. Any honest observer of that meeting would have to admit that both Wood and Chavez were lashing out at each other. Each of these men may, as you suggest, work hard for this city. That doesn't excuse their complete lack of judgment from the dais. This is July; if this meeting is an indicator, by September these two may have to be physically separated. Be adults, boys, or take your toys and go home.

Hey Full Moon wrote on Jul 18, 2008 3:36 PM:Your comments are right on in every respect but one. Kern doesn't "think." He pontificates from a pre-determined position. That isn't the same thing.

I used to believe that we could do better in Oceanside as far as our political leaders go. Now, I have come to realize that these guys ARE in fact representative of our town, for better or for worse.

jvc wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:05 PM:When they said that the Mayor has his bully pulpit, they were not kidding!

OCEANSIDER wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:14 PM:Well...........the election draweth neigh and all the little gobblins and spooks are coming alive like toads emerging from the mud. A better gauge to judge candidates is their record and background and qualifications. Senator McCain is the apparent Republican nominee for President, yet he is known to have a hot temper and he is "lashed out" at lots of people, as numerous press releases have described. Does that disqualify him? No. It all depends on the depth and FREQUENCY of emotional outbursts, not the mere fact that occasionally somebody loses their temper. Good Heavens, haven't you ever watched political "debate" shows? If ever there was a display of incivility, those have it aplenty. Neither Wood nor Chavez have any significant history of a bad temperament. Those who seize on this petty spat should look in the mirror!

The Troika is Back wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:39 PM:Jim Wood, Esther Sanchez and Sheri Mackin are out to regain control of the council. The last time they were in charge they routinely would not allow Rocky or Feller to speak; and secret meetings were the norm. Actions were taken without any foundation, ie, the RDO interchange issue which because of these 3 cost the city millions. Jim Wood, although you think you are an imperial mayor, debate needs to be respected. Let the others have their say.

OCEANSIDER wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:59 PM:To "The Troika is back": Such nonsense. When Mackin lost to Kern, Wood didn't back Mackin, he backed George McNeil. Sanchez was not supportive of Mackin in that election either. Mackin had been discredited and was a political liability, so her former allies dropped her. Simple as that. So to say that Wood and Sanchez want Mackin back again is beyond ridiculous. Wood frequently does not vote with Sanchez anymore on the Council, so I don't see them as allies particularly. Any Council member, not just Wood and Sanchez, would like to have at least 2 allies on the Council.

Who Wants to be Mayor wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:01 PM:If you want to be Mayor perhaps you should consider treating others like you would expect to be treated under similar circumstances. Yes Chavez and Kern should have acted better but they do not hold the gavel, the Mayor does. Stop the petty excuses, they are as pathetic as the original behavior. Mayor Wood you do not hold a power position but you are suppose to be in charge, so act like it and do not emulating the normally disruptive antics of Council Member Sanchez Take upper road of civil engagement.

Go Get Em Rocky wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:22 PM:Props to Rocky for getting in Wood's face. Wood is a turncoat Republican who caters to the unions.

Voter wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:42 PM:I am voting for Catherine Anderson.

FTM wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:44 PM:We have 5 people up there who each one represents a segment of our town. Oceanside IS the most DIVERSIFIED town in North County. THAT'S WHY WE GET SLAMMED ALL TIME! You got lilly white and super rich towns all around who just love to rag on Oceanside. If there were not Oceanside there would be no North County Times either! (nothing to write or read about!). From multi million dollar San Malo beach properties to dinky little mobile home estates - we got it all - rich - and poor. It's VERY rare to see such wide demographics living in such close proximity to each other. The NCT LOVES it when we don't get along because that's when they make money selling papers. We need to TRY to be nice to each other, we already know we can't agree with each other, but we can still be nice. And let the outsiders who don't live in Oceanside (including the NCT's) be dammned.

What is Important wrote on Jul 18, 2008 6:00 PM:I'm a little tired of everyone slamming someone because they showed a little emotion and things got heated. That's what happens, and those that hide behind the "we always have to be civil" smokescreen are usually just using it to bash an opponent after they've caused them to lose their temper. I'd rather see this type of sparring in plain view of the public then have a bunch of behind-the-scenes people quietly undermining and destroying the competition. We need MORE of this sort of discussion to find out who the REAL leaders are. I mean it's not like these two went to blows or anything. If someone can't handle a little rough and tumble political discussion at the council meeting, then maybe they aren't the right person for the job.

isnt it delicious wrote on Jul 18, 2008 6:29 PM:give me a break, some people sound like this was a knock-down fight - I watched it and don't think Tenbrock got it correct - the Mayor wanted all discussion to end and Mr. Chavez had an additional comment, as did Ms. Sanchez I believe. Aren't the rules, they can keep speaking until someone calls for the vote - then they have to vote on that. Mayor Wood is getting rattled that's all but there was no need to attack a school for goodness sakes. Mayor Wood, that was just petty and mean.

barbra wrote on Jul 18, 2008 6:52 PM:Let the people that have been here for years and years and the new folk vote Rocky, Esther, Woods out. They are for special interest groups and this is one main reason the Oceanside that we use to love at peace and small is now no more. It is time for them to go. By the way, there are no reps for people of color.

Not a Pirate wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:03 PM:The Mayor said he was sorry he lost his temper, it's election season????? Hey, Jim - if you can't take the heat, get off the dais. Your response to Deputy Mayor Chavez's request to speak was way over the top. This is not the action of a true leader. Maybe it's time to step down and let someone else who can keep his cool take over.

progress wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:15 PM:Vote them all out and vote Chuck Lowery in! Chuck is intelligent and thoughtful. He even listens. ... TAKE BACK our city!

The Troika is Back wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:43 PM:It is funny to watch Wood and Sanchez, and their blog supporters, try to distance themselves from Mackin, and from each other. No matter how you spin it, Sanchez, Wood and Mackin are a team. A vote for Wood is a vote for Sanchez. Oceanside does not need to go through that again.

Who is nuts here wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:38 PM:Mackin isn't running. Duh...who keeps saying the troika is back is out of their mind, completely, irrevocably.

Oh Brother wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:39 PM:Cocky Rocky has continued to act out on the dias with constant smirking, throat clearing and waiting to drink water until he speaks...all things a Napolean would do. I was happy when the Mayor slapped him down. He should have done it along time ago!

Grandma wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:44 PM:I am shocked that this is even a story. Guess the NCTImes wants to come out early against Wood and for Rocky. That's too bad because Rocky couldn't even run his school...well, actually he ran it into the ground. Why not do a story on all the debt on the school...like a real news story????

jvc wrote on Jul 18, 2008 10:03 PM:Rocky is near perfect! He just happens to belong to the wrong political party!
The Democrats are the peoples party!
Rocky, please change your party affiliation!

John wrote on Jul 18, 2008 10:41 PM:Ok, so if these two "children" can out-argue the audience over "who talks last" (SO THERE!), who ARE the alternatives? I am all for fresh faces to run Oceanside, but WHO? Who is gonna file, run, knock on doors, and literally PROSTITUTE THEMSELVES in Oceanside to be on the City Council, whether it's for mayor or not? And why DOES Oceanside have a "seperately elected" mayor? WHat is the stupid point of that?

Fresh Look Needed wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:59 AM:Passion is good if excersized properly. I don't think that was the case on Wed. night. I hope the candidates learned from this. Posturing and positioning for re-election during city council meetings shows a lack of integrity. Keep the focus on the item on the agenda. I really hope we have a candidate who has a fresh outlook.

mt wrote on Jul 19, 2008 8:08 AM:Oceanside residents want them to work together, not compete against each other. Rocky's school was a failure and when he implies that somehow he has economic skills the others don't have, he can expect his experience to become an issue. The vote was 4/1 and Rocky was in the minority.

MBA wrote on Jul 19, 2008 8:24 AM:To Mt. Rocky was the lone 4/1 because he has an understanding of economics. Do the math. Mr Cheatem who spoke had the numbers and I agree with Rocky and Cheatem.

To The One wrote on Jul 19, 2008 8:44 AM:The One said in their blog, "I believe we should change our city motto to "The Emperor wears no clothes."

I say, NO, no, no that belongs to Vista's Mayor.

The Troika is Back wrote on Jul 19, 2008 8:45 AM:Mayor Wood wishes for the good old days, when he would be able to cut off debate and Esther Sachez was in charge behind the scenes. I watched this scenario play out for nearly two years. In that time the city lost millions in transportation money, and business was wary of having anything to do with Oceanside. Lets not go back to the good old days of Wood, Sanchez and Mackin, with secret meetings and major policy decisions without any back-up or proper evaluation.

The facts wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:02 AM:The big changes have taken place in Oceanside only since Sanchez and Wood have been on the council. They made the Wyndam Time Share and the coming beach resort happen when no one else could. Chavez, Feller and everyone else they have formed a block with dragged their feet, going for the other developer that would have gotten us a cheap motel at the beach with absolutely no amenities, including no ballroom and no restaurants. You can spin it every which way, but Sanchez has been the one to push through the good projects. She needs to continue to be on the council because she has proven that she can get things done!

Straw that broke the camels... wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:05 AM:Mayor Wood has been a model mayor. To have to deal with the egos of Chavez, Feller and Kern has got to try even the patience of Job. The mayor apologized, end of story. Actually, there should never have been a story in the paper. I've never seen a story in the paper about other cities' disagreements, and yet other cities have sparred as well. Politics as usual at the NCT.

To Troika wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:20 AM:You are still nuts and using the shopworn Republican method of repeating lies over and over until they are believed. You have no idea what you are talking about. Esther has never been in charge since she is the sole Democrat on the council. Get real and stop this uneccessary propoganda.

jvc wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:39 AM:Please, Rocky, was not a failure to SBC
...he made this school happen and he should be applauded..it was the community that let this school down..shame on all of us for not seeing the importance of this school for its students!How many heroes do we have left of the caliber of a Rocky Chavez?
We are a pretty sick society when we use this school as political fodder against Rocky....Rocky being one of the finest examples of a local hero in our mist!

RHINOSAURUSREX....... wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:41 AM:I'm voting for CATHERINE ANDERSON........
CATHERINE ANDERSON....Will make the word.. "POLITICIAN" a respectable word!!........

No Vote For Chavez wrote on Jul 19, 2008 10:23 AM:I really like Rocly Chavez, but Mayor Woods has been doing a great job as Mayor and I intend to vote for him again.

Rocky, If it ain't broke don't fix it. You are killing the spirit of Oceanside by running for Mayor can't you wait for a later election and what is your motive for running for mayor?????

To progress wrote on Jul 19, 2008 12:32 PM:Who the heck is Chuck Lowery?

cant believe it wrote on Jul 19, 2008 12:34 PM:We moved out of Oceanside seven years ago and out of California over 2 years ago. All I can say if "things haven't changed with the council in all that time. Occassionally I read the NCT to catch up on the old stomping grounds. It's the same old, same old, bickering that was going on years before. You people in Oceanside will never get it together and become a fine city. No wonder Carlsbad and Vista treat you like a spoiled step child. You are just that. When we moved to Oceanside I thought things were moving in the right direction. You let a hotel go and the town went down the tubes from there. I can't believe the whole thing......

Dont Go There wrote on Jul 19, 2008 1:43 PM:How ironic that Wood and Chavez get into a verbal "scrum" at a Council meeting. Both of these guys pushed Mayor Terry Johnson's "button" 4 years ago during the same election cycle when they were all running for Mayor--to the detriment of the City's image overall! Please don't go there!! Mantain the dignity, decorum and the integrity of the City's business at hand...At least during Council Public meetings!! And Jerry Kern's blast of community activists' veracity, while maybe accurate, certainly came off mean-spirited and down right nasty in tone....Coupled with Esther's "obligatory" response to defend her longtime supporters....it all looked too much like a bad dream from years gone by....KNOCK IT OFF and stay focussed on the task at hand..Let the Escondido Council continue with all the hysterics and headlines in the newpapers and blogs!!!! Oceanside will continue to move forward with exciting and cutting edge new businesses and activities all over town if you all stay on point!

Oh No wrote on Jul 19, 2008 1:48 PM:The NCT won't print my blog about why Wood and I are unhappy with Rocky's loans to SBT.

OCEANSIDER wrote on Jul 19, 2008 2:15 PM:To :"Can't believe it" re "We moved out of Oceanside seven years ago and out of California over 2 years ago." Good riddance.

Facts You Are Wrong wrote on Jul 19, 2008 2:40 PM:The Fairfield timeshare proposal (later sold to Wyndam)was forwarded by the whole Council on a 5-0 vote. What happen was in order to get Sanchez's vote and the Surfrider Foundation's support, the developer agreed to a seven story building. This time share would have happened without Sanchez. This took place while new Council Member Jim Wood was still trying to find the bathroom at City Hall. As for the Hotel, what hotel? I see no hotel at the Pier only more talk and more money being required. Oh by the way, our hotel developer is about to miss his first contract deadline. Now there is a major story for the NCT, lets see if they read this blog.

To Oh No wrote on Jul 19, 2008 6:59 PM:Oh No
[-] wrote on Jul 19, 2008 1:48 PM:The NCT won't print my blog about why Wood and I are unhappy with Rocky's loans to SBT.

Many of my blogs about Rocky are never printed, maybe because they are negative?

I don't want him as Mayor or to be on the council-he is for big money interests and big business and not for the improvement of the town. Smart developement -YES, but asphalt plants, cement plants and hotels on a lagoon where we have endangered species-NO!

Does Rocky represent the people of Oceanside wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:00 PM:This taken from the SD Minute Men website:

"OCEANSIDE CITY COUNCIL: Rocky Chavez and Jerry Kern – support local laws against illegal aliens."

Can we latino people support this man? I think not!

Rocky flip flops on all subjects wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:02 PM:Who does he support and what is his agenda! He is is like the old Mayor who was first a democrat then a republican! Please! Who ever is the highyest bidder for monies!

Mean Remarks wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:00 PM:How many of you spouting off about how BAD it was haven't done the same thing to your fellows? We all do it too often! How many of you were at the OUSD Board Meeting about SBT?

This paper wrote on Jul 20, 2008 8:31 AM:is like the councilman. It's their word they want people to read. That's why we don't see all the comments people make in this forum. If the Times doesn't like it, you won't read it!

NC Times is a supporter of Rocky wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:45 AM:Big Deal! We all knew that!

what do you expect wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:14 AM:Criticising our council members for supporting local laws against illegal aliens or anything for that matter is ridiculous. Shouldn't we expect out representatives to support and make sure our local laws are enforced?

The Troika is Back wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:22 AM:Wood and Sanchez are joined at the hip; a Nixon Republican and left wing Democrat. The common theme...giving away the store to the public employee unions.

HEF wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:15 AM:Let us not forget that it was Rocky Chavez who voted to pay off Manchester $2+ million when the city wanted to get out of the contract they had with them. Chavez called it "good business sense," or something to that effect. If elected mayor, who else is Rocky going to give our hard earned taxpayer's money to? This guy does not represent Oceanside's citizens as he is totally pro-development. This guy is on a self-erected pedestal.