Amazed wrote on Sep 16, 2008 11:52 PM:I was bored until Houlihan and Collier admitted they would support the state government MANDATING spaying or neutering my pets! That's the same two who support outlawing plastic bags at the stores!
They represent over the top government interference!

Mike A. wrote on Sep 17, 2008 6:47 AM:The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce announced yesterday that in partnership with MiraCosta Community College, the Chamber would be hosting an Open Forum for Encinitas City Council Candidates at the San Elijo Campus on Tuesday, October 28th, at 6:00 pm.

The Candidates are being mailed invitations to participate today.

Absent resident wrote on Sep 17, 2008 7:04 AM:As always thanks for putting this together Barbara everthing from reserving the room to corralling the candidates. It sounds like all concerned citizens should make a point of attending the remaining two forums.

Why Elect wrote on Sep 17, 2008 7:54 AM:anyone? Surfrider association controls this town anyway. Make sure to show up with a plastic bag!

Mary wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:19 AM:The 3 incumbents (Houlihan, Stocks and Bond) discussed the Brown Property (and some even stated their position) at the forum (with two other council members present in the audience - Barth and Dalager) is this not a Brown Act violation??
The Brown Property is on the council agenda tonight. No one noticed - not even the NCT reporter.

Bill wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:41 AM:I am surprised to say that after attending last nights forum, I am changing my votes to re-elect Jerome Stocks and James Bond. I found them to be straight forward and practical, not reactionary and overreaching like Maggie Houlihan and Rachelle Colliers. I have heard a lot of stocks and Bond bashing lately so went to see them for myself. I now realize that they are just the victims of the dirty politics most of us have come to hate. Not sure yet though who my third vote will be, but last night Doug Long was also impressive. I'll now attend the next forum to decide on my third vote.

Mary wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:27 AM:to Bill - sorry - but, Doug Long was as impressive as a doorknob - However, the candidate to watch is Joe Sheffo.

Jane wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:45 AM:I support term limits and do not support the incumbents. After 16 years, 4 terms, James Bond should step down with dignity, as he had said he would.

I feel that if we could have two candidates run every two years, and a third position as mayor, be elected every two years, then we could have truly representative government. That way, with term limits, and individual could be limited to two four year terms as Council Member, and four two year terms as Mayor. The candidates should participate in primaries so that the vote is not divided and split

The incumbents count on this division working for them, as well as their waiting until almost the last moment to "change their minds" as James Bond did, to run.

The forums could be easily televised, and should be.

I went to the forum, but didn't get called upon to ask my question. I am voting for Bob Nanninga and Rachelle Collier, but also appreciated Harriett Seldon and Joe Sheffo.

John E wrote on Sep 17, 2008 2:35 PM:It is unfortunate there are so many minor clutter candidates, who could act as spoilers in this race. We can only hope a few of them will gracefully bow out now and endorse other candidates.

With 10 candidates for 3 openings, this race is a very strong argument for an Irish-style preference / instant-runoff voting system.

I like Sheffo's comments against the new state "smart-growth" mandate, which threatens to undermine local control of growth and development, the very issue which spurred our incorporation in the first place.

Beth wrote on Sep 17, 2008 3:51 PM:Nanninga won my support. Open, honest, and passionate about Encinitas, he knew the issues and clear about his vision for an economic sustainability.

Loretta wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:35 PM:Houlihan also was an official supporter of AB1634, the state mandated pet sterilization bill sponsored by an animal rights activist. Houlihan signed the official supporter list as a member of the Encinitas City Council. Was she representing Encinitas?

She spoke at the Del Mar City Council last year in favor of Del Mar passing a forced pet sterilization bill. She's for dog parks in Encinitas, but WITHOUT THE DOG. Del Mar Did NOT pass the bill. Reason prevailed, same as in the state where AB1634 died on the Senate floor.

The fiscal irresponsibility of enacting such a law is overwhelming and the city/state/county telling pet owners that they must sterilize their dogs and cats is outrageous.

What are they going to do? Go door to door and knock? What's the conversation after that? "Is your pet spayed or neutered?" "Well, yes, but it's a female dog so you can't tell that by looking." "Sorry, mam, you'll have to either pay the $200 fine or provide proof to the city of the surgery."

These forced sterilization laws are bad. Be sure when people start citing reports and statistics that they're relying on the CORRECT reports, not doctored documents.

We're all for responsible dog ownership. We should all be against irresponsible dog laws.

Oh brother wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:43 PM:This article is so poorly written one couldn't figure out what happened at the forum without a crystal ball!

TAB wrote on Sep 18, 2008 3:58 PM:Unlike some people, I appreciate our system of democracy. ANYONE can run for political office (including city council), and the only requirement is to pay the fees to have your bio printed in the voter info packet. How do you think we get NUTS like Tracy Casey and Pam Grosso elected to local school boards? Arnold as governor? Ronald Bonzo and W as presidents? Doesn't everyone support a government of the people, by the people, for the people? Or do some of us prefer only certain people? Sounds pretty elitist, and not very American to me...