J P downtown wrote on Oct 2, 2008 12:40 PM:Sam is 100% dedicated to Escondido. He's got our vote!

Boo Hiss wrote on Oct 2, 2008 12:43 PM:Boo Hiss! No Way!

Abed touts his accomplishments. So what else is new. Abed is always touting something - it doesn't even matter if the touting is accurate or not!

Remember the one in four residents comment?

Al wrote on Oct 2, 2008 12:53 PM:Sam, you can count on my vote.

Go get em wrote on Oct 2, 2008 1:16 PM:Sam. Good luck on winning reelection! Keep the fight up on illegal immigration.

Esco Local wrote on Oct 2, 2008 1:38 PM:I commend Abed for the graffiti bit, which he did champion, and I commend him for a few of his other accomplishments.

But I am really, really upset about Abed dragging Escondido into the Federal realm of immigration, costing the City to defend a losing lawsuit, costing the City $18.9M for that stupid hotel (that will also benefit Abed's nearby property). Is he Inbed with the developer? I think so. I am upset at the harassment of low income people with the parking ordinance. To me, that ordinance is just plain mean. It won't impact Abed in his gated community, but it sure impacts me and a lot of others.

And finally, the whole Palomar Hospital thing where he (and others in City Council) caved in and let them build in the high tech business park. This lost jobs for Escondido, stopped redevelopment of a blighted alternative site (near Washington/Quince), and moved quality health care out of the city center.

Promises wrote on Oct 2, 2008 1:40 PM:Let's review:
Cleaner - abandoned construction projects all over the place, code enforcement should enforce codes on city properties too, not just private residences.
Safer - crime rates are down because officers work hard, Sam just takes the credit.
More Prosperous - didn't he notice our median income declineed under his tenure?

Question for Mr. Abed wrote on Oct 2, 2008 1:41 PM:Mr. Abed: You have done a good job of outlining your accomplishments as you see them, but I remain concerned about your stated credentials. You seem to use your employment history as a sign of your business experience; specifically your work history as "an engineer with IBM." In that you have gone to great lengths to talk about it, please take the time to authentic your claim. Perhaps provide an old tax form or letter of commendation on IBM letterhead. Or simply allow IBM to confirm your employment. All that is required is your willingness to allow that information to be released. More to the point, why have you never mentioned your alma mater? Where did you earn your engineering degree? This information is relative to your campaign race because you have made it so. Could you please post this information on your website?

Poor People and Latinos wrote on Oct 2, 2008 1:49 PM:"Poor people and Latinos can't be outside the regulations. We can be compassionate with them, but at the same time we have to respect the rights of citizens."

Because poor people and latino's can't possibly be citizens? A quote like this goes along way in revealing the real Sam Abed.

Sam Sam Sam wrote on Oct 2, 2008 2:15 PM:In the words of a great American and true leader, Abraham Lincoln, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."

bogie wrote on Oct 2, 2008 2:42 PM:Go sam, you've got my vote. While no candidate is perfect, Sam's ideas work for me.

"Esco Local @ 1:38 PM:" I'm not aware of property owned by Sam near the new hotel. where exactly is it? I also think your attitude about the parking ordinance would change if you had to park several blocks from your home because of inconsiderate neighbors.

"Poor People and Latinos @ 1:49 PM:" Sam's choice of words may be wrong but his theory is correct. He should have said that no one is outside the law regardless of their plight.

Before I vote for a incumbent wrote on Oct 2, 2008 2:59 PM:Sam Abed and Ed Gallo need to explain where the redevelopment funds promised to the schools are being diverted and how much is owed. The city needs to keep the promises made to the public school system.

JR wrote on Oct 2, 2008 3:01 PM:Intersting how Abed takes credit in this article and on his web site for crime being down. Abed has no hand in that. EPD deserves 100% credit for working thier butts off. They are near the bottom in the county in pay, understaffed, yet perform at an exception al level. Shame on Abed for trying to take credit away from our cops.

Native wrote on Oct 2, 2008 3:05 PM:I support Sam. He speaks four languages, so he should get a break if his choice of words are sometimes awkward. He has the best interests of Escondido in mind and he will get my vote.

to bogie wrote on Oct 2, 2008 3:06 PM:Nice of you to come in behind Sam to clean up his mess. Someone has to. I agree with the post at 1:41PM. I challenge Sam to prove his claims. He should post is educational credentials on his website. Don't get me wrong, owning your own business and being self made is very impressive, but you can't pad the qualifications and not be expected to prove it.

2 Votes wrote on Oct 2, 2008 3:13 PM:Sam has my vote as well. My community is within the parking ordinance area and the average home is over $500K. To buy these homes, multiple families have moved into single-family homes and are parking 6 cars in front of their house. This type of action brings down the value of my house and decreases my enjoyment of the nieghborhood. Sam wants to end this practice and improve quality of life for all. I just do not see what the problem with that is? It is not picking on latinos, it is picking on the few households that ruin neighborhoods for others.

to bogie wrote on Oct 2, 2008 3:14 PM:Hey, I respect sticking up for the candidate you support but can you really dismiss his abysmal record by saying "no candidate is perfect"?

And to call his Latino comment a poor choice of words is like saying Lizzie Borden had an accident with a garden tool.

Anybody but Olga wrote on Oct 2, 2008 3:17 PM:Sam is the man. We will support him. Watch out for Olga.

new to Esco wrote on Oct 2, 2008 3:41 PM:I just moved here a year ago. I probably would have moved had I not met, through email; Abed, Daniels, and Waldron. I'm not sure why it is anyone would want to live with check cashing places, 99 cent stores, and illegal immigration rampant but it seems most of you people do.

I don't get that, but I do get what Sam Abed is about.....Common Sense

Disgusted wrote on Oct 2, 2008 4:07 PM:I can't believe there isn't more disgust and outcry over the Latino comment by Sam Abed. I'll give him that much, he owns his bias. People with attitudes like that don't deserve to be in office in the United States in the 21st Century. This kind of attitude sets back social progress 60 years.

Barb wrote on Oct 2, 2008 4:08 PM:Anybody but Olga

To Esco Local and bogie wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:01 PM:Please remember that the North County Times doesn't always quote people verbatim or accurately. I always take the quotes in the newspaper with a grain of salt. As bogie said, Sam's theory is correct.

Vote Him OUT wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:05 PM:Vote Abed OUT!

The police brought the crime rate down - not Sam.

The immigration problem cost the city money! And hasn't changed a darn thing.

We have another deficit this year!

Our median income went down.

VOTE ABED OUT! Our city cannot afford his politics.

As far as the choice of words, he knows exactly what he is saying!!

I agree with Questions for Abed...Where did Abed go to school - he's always touting how smart he is....well where did he attend college? And how long did he really work for IBM?? Is it three years or 17 years?

Kimmie wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:07 PM:Sam Abed and Ed Gallo are both getting my vote. Both are always working tirelessly to improve Escondido. There is a difference between those that don't know and those that don't know that they don't know. Yes, they have critics, but they are just political wanabes like Olga and Lisa. It is all so obvious. IMO Escondido badly needs an effective parking ordinance and Sam and Ed will deliver.

Count on Me wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:09 PM:Abed can count on me - to tell everyone I know what a incompetent council man he is.

And he can count on me to tell everyone to vote for anyone but the incumbents! I'm tired of the narcissim!

p.s. don't forget our median income declined this year, placing Escondido 8th out of 8 cities (we're behind Vista now). So Sam can't say he's made Escondido more prosperous - not with that info and the fact we have a deficit!

You can count on me Sam - NOT TO VOTE FOR YOU!!

Jane wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:10 PM:be ware of Olga.She's like Hillary Clinton

to Barb wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:16 PM:WE agree.

to bogie wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:16 PM:Of course you support him - you sit next to him!

One of my favorite pasttimes is golf. So said the "proud grampa" that supports Abed!

Tina P wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:17 PM:I love Sam.He good for Escondido.

Olga wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:18 PM:I am women hear me roar

LT wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:32 PM:Sam's our man.He'll get elected dont worry

I would wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:33 PM:I would sooner gauge my eyes out then endure four more years with a councilman that thinks he is superior to those he is suppose to serve!!

Hay folks wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:34 PM:it don't get much better than Sam He's the one. Vote Sam

MOU IOU wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:37 PM:Wheres LT when you need himVote for Sam

SAM the SHAM wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:39 PM:Clean:
No
Safe:
No
Prosperous:
No...only in your dreams!
I took a "tour" of Escondido 10/01/08
at noon.This is what I saw:
graffiti,abandoned shopping carts,bums,homeless,drunks,druggies,
trashy dirty streets & sidewalks.Boarded up store windows,empty business's & homes
with bankowned signs.Potholes so big they need zip codes.Abandoned construction sites with chainlink fences obstructing sidewalks.Resulting in disabled people in powerchairs having to use the streets because the sidewalk cannot be accessed.
They ADA will love the pictures!
It was noon in Escondido and I did not feel safe on my "tour" of town.Never would I attempt to "tour" at night in Escondido.The streets belong to the gangs , criminals, drug addicts,hookers & drunks.We don't even have enough police to protect the non criminal in this town.I have friends in a senior complex their clubhouse has been robbed 3 times within a month.Even when the police are given the license plate number of the robbers the police do nothing...nobody was hurt.You Sam,you will be able to vote them a pay raise or a benefit increase.That's why police support you.Olga is married to a Police Officer so she cant vote them a raise or increased their benefits.If the police dont take a complaint of a crime you can say the numbers of incidents have gone down...it's all such a BIG lying game.
Ten officers at night is not even going to begin to cover "safe" at night in Escondido.I support my local police and I believe you put them in jeopardy because there is not enough of them for a city the size of Escondido.
YOUR Council wasted MILLIONS and continues to waste MILLIONS.You jeopardize us all with your smoke & mirrors baloney.
Escondido prospers.....in who's dream?
Put down the hookah pipe ,get that smirk off your face ....open your eyes and live & speak the truth .
The only ones prospering in Escondido are the Council,over paid city employees ,criminals and the gas station owners.

Jan wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:43 PM:He's the best looking candidate, so i'm voeting for him Vote for Sam

Picture perfectless wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:47 PM:It's like having a portrait of your nemesis on your desk - it's soooooo wrong! Anyone got a magic marker?

WHAT wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:49 PM:WHAT?!

Why is Abed singleling out the Latino community?

Why was that necessary? Why would he say that the Latino community is not exempt from the rules?

Sounds really bad!

To Sam the Sham wrote on Oct 2, 2008 7:02 PM:Wow...I spend a lot of my evenings "touring" Escondido. I regularly eat downtown and have never felt threatened at all. No offense, but if you are male, you need to man up a little. Even this 68 year granny can walk around Esco without fear.

To Kimmie wrote on Oct 2, 2008 7:57 PM:Don't you live in the county? How you gonna vote for Sam?

Hang in there Sam wrote on Oct 2, 2008 8:05 PM:A lof these comments are ridiculous, Sam. Ignore them. Although I will say the calls for you to validate you employment history and education make sense. It should be easy to do and it will clear the issue up once and for all. As a person who wants to make a well informed vote I would appreciate you taking the time to put the information on your website.

Not True wrote on Oct 2, 2008 8:38 PM:Sam touts that he negotiated a deal to keep the hospital in Escondido!

Not True!

What Abed did was to vote to approve a resolution to prevent PPH from building at ERTC!

Now, this of course was after Abed (during his first run for office) rode Prop BB band wagon supporting the bond because Covert said it would stay in Escondido.

Then Waldron, Gallo and Abed (after he got elected) approved a resolution to prevent PPH from building THEIR new hospital at the ERTC.

Then...after months and months and months of bickering (aka wasted time thanks to the council "triplets") FINALLY...and after much public outcry - the "triplets" flip flopped and essentially withdrew their opposition and rezoned to allow the hospital at the ERTC.

So...point is: Abed didn't negotiate NOTHING - he was crushed by the opposition because he and the twins nearly cost Escondido the hospital!

Thanks but no thanks. Don't need that kind of "negotiating"!!

ex-esco wrote on Oct 2, 2008 8:54 PM:I have been away from escondido for a long time (out of state in fact). My family still lives there. In fact my grandparents are natives (82 years and yes, escondido). This town has been on slippery slope for a long time. Specifically the aprtment building boom of the 70's and 80's

I was just at my 20th high-school reunion (Orange Glen). Out the 500 or so grads only a handful live in esco.
Which speaks volumes.

I am shocked that anyone would not vote for this fine gentleman. Why would a high standard quality life been the only option. I can't beleive the lame comments against this guy.

This city sucks. Get a clue

Taking Credit wrote on Oct 2, 2008 9:27 PM:Sam Abed takes the few positive things that have happened in Escondido and tries to take credit. The only thing Sam Abed can take legitimate credit for is his presense. Not one of the things he has tried to accomplish have worked people. More jobs? No, Raise the median income? No, attract high tech business to Escondido? No. Update the General Plan? No. What he has accomplished is to divide the city, raise the pay of the city council while cutting jobs and services, and selling out our city to developers. All I hear Abed's backers say is "at least he's trying something". Well I guess if he dressed in a clown suit and ran through Grape Day Park singing "Happy Happy Joy Joy" you guys would say "at least he's trying something".

To J P Downtown wrote on Oct 2, 2008 9:29 PM:The only thing Sam Abed is 100% dedicated to is the ringing of his cash register.

TO To J P Downtown wrote on Oct 2, 2008 9:39 PM:You forgot he feeds his ego.

Santa Maria wrote on Oct 2, 2008 9:41 PM:I’m intrigued to hear “ex-esco” say that our city sucks. How would he know, he doesn’t live here! I’ve lived in Escondido for forty years and I love it here. The people of Escondido make the city, not the city council. I run with my dog at night, usually from 7 to 9 pm thru the city of Escondido and I feel safe in my community. I am grateful I live in such a culturally diverse city. I was born in Mexico, but am a proud, tax-paying resident of Escondido! For you criers out there, get off your butt, and improve the city instead of crying about it! VIVA ESCONDIDO!

januaryM wrote on Oct 2, 2008 9:55 PM:Abed will give you more of the same.Just as he did 4 years ago...promise nothing.Only he believes he improved this city.Sammy old boy ...take credit where credit is due.You backed Waldron in her racist platform 2 years ago...you along with Gallo are counting on fooling the voters again with your games for re election.I believe the voters are much more aware of the games you three play with our trust and MILLIONS of tax dollars.
NOTHING could ever make me waste my vote on any of the current council.
Take out A bed & Gallo Nov 4 2008
come back in 2010 and take out the other three.
gagabedgallo
*** GAG ***
VOTE NOV 4 2008

Mike wrote on Oct 2, 2008 9:58 PM:Sam, you have my vote. Great job!

TED wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:03 PM:Where's my high paying job?
Where's my high end neighborhood?
Where's my quality of life?
Abed you have done nothing to improve my life in Escondido in the last 4 years.
I will vote for Olga.
She looks like she means business .

Good Bye Sam wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:17 PM:I like this Voelker kid. Young guy, fresh ideas, conservative and smart. Doesn't hurt that he's Republican. It's time to give someone else a chance.

Brenda wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:20 PM:Hey Sam,East Valley is even more of a rat hole than it was 4 years ago.
We still have that white elephant CCAE unable to support itself.So you take money from our city to keep paying CCAE bills.Give $18 million to a wealthy developer for a hotel we dont need.Let the city streets look like TJ.
Begin charging for police services ,cancelling parades,fireworks,under staff fire stations & police ,allow developers to over build in an economy that is unable to support the building etc....you cannot blame all this on the federal government ...local city councils vote to allow developers to build.You forgive developers fees to build...they overwhelm our sewers & infrastructer.Just who has lost the quality of life in Escondido? The VOTERS quality of life has gone down the drain and you helped it happen.
A vote for Abed is asking for the total ruin of this city.
Im joining GAG
Goodbye Abed Gallo
Vote Nov 4 2008

To Ex-Esco wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:20 PM:You say you've been away from Escondido a long time and then you end with "This city sucks". Are you talking about the city you live in now?

News flash, you and your buds from Orange Glen ditched Escondido. You gave up your right to have input here. Everyone here, supporters and opponents of Sam Abed alike are blogging because they care about Escondido and are trying to participate in some way to make it a better city, not cut and run. When the going gets tough the tough get lost huh? You get a clue.

Video wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:27 PM:Did anyone notice that there are candidate interview videos on-line now? Kinda neat. Check them all out.

please wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:27 PM:pay David Garrick more he wears the same clothes to the council meeting every week.but we like is bald head~

To Hudson wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:28 PM:To Hudson of the EVA:

You say that Abed really cares about the city and wants the best for it.

So do my highschool kids. Does that automatically make them qualified for city council?

Sorry, just because you guys "worked" together in the EVA doesn't mean that Abed deserves endorsement. I actually have frequented your business, but cannot understand your support of a man that has been a part of a small group of people that have made so many more problems for the city. I'm sorry to say that because of your support of Abed, I can no longer support your business. Sorry.

Choices wrote on Oct 2, 2008 11:33 PM:Enough of Sam. Time for new blood. Vote for Chuck!

Vote for Sam wrote on Oct 2, 2008 11:50 PM:Sam is enthusiastic about Escondido. Good for him. He is the kind of guy we need at city hall. He's got my vote!

Local to Not True wrote on Oct 3, 2008 3:39 AM:As I see it, Abed fought the pillaging of the ERTC by PPH until Waldron caved. That letter to the council from Plecia must have turned the trick. Check it out if you want to understand when the dominoes started to fall. FOLLOW THE $!

Hardly Recognize My City wrote on Oct 3, 2008 6:45 AM:I moved to Escondido from NYC over 30 years ago and I love this city. I hardly recognize it when I read the descriptions some people write about it especially during campaign season. Escondido is a great place to live, it has a small town feel even though it has a population of at least 130,000. Since I moved here in 1976 I have been delighted to see more choices, i.e, more restaurants open,the Arts Center, North County Fair, more movie theaters, Daley Ranch, more parks, two libraries now, a skating/hockey center. Yes, like any other city, there is graffiti and crime, but its much less here than in some other cities because the city works hard to clean it up. To those who think Escondido is so terrible, I really would like to know what city you think doesn't have these problems...and I encourage you to move there. And having said all that, no I am not voting for Sam or Ed.

Escondido Native wrote on Oct 3, 2008 6:47 AM:You have my vote Abed! Gallo too and I think Waldron should run for Mayor. Keep up the fight against all the ILLEGAL aliens that are trashing our city. I am NOT ashamed of being in the national spotlight. Sometimes that is the ONLY way to get things done. We now have E-Verify. That may not have happened without cities like Escondido and MANY others raising red flags of warning. American Citizens are tired of supporting all these illegals.

Thank Goodness wrote on Oct 3, 2008 6:49 AM:The Escondido voters are voting for SAM!! Keep up the good work!

to the three stooges wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:53 AM:Sam one day made a comment "I came to this country with only $100 000.00 and I made it,how come other immigrants cann't"
Mr Abed came from Lebanon a very poor country,how he made all that money and why the federal govertment didn't allowe his brother to enter this country for so long?
we need to know more about his past in Lebanon,and make sure that he was clean there!!!!

bogie wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:15 AM:to bogie @ 5:16 PM, I have never sat next to Sam. I have sat across the table from him while being interviewed for a voluntary commission but that's as close as it gets.

I will indeed vote for Sam and Ed so that they can continue their efforts to clean up our city.

Video Watcher wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:54 AM:In the on-line video of Abed:

Abed says that the rental ban was "good government". Then, he said that once the "judge" told them they couldn't do it they withdrew from trying to fight the courts.

So, it took a federal judge and at least $250,000 dollars of TAXPAYER money, for Abed to finally understand that it was not the city's position to try to implement immigration policies! All the people that warned the council against the ordinance - all the citizens, businessmen/women, religious groups, service organizations and even the ACLU's fair warning - ABED DID NOT GET IT!! Hmmmm.....I don't think I'm buying that! How could he have not known the Ban would be doomed? Is he really that out-of-touch with the laws and reality? Maybe he really didn't know becaue he didn't get all the FACTS! No. More likely, Abed was power-trippin so hard that he really thought HE could do something about the illegal immigration problems. Abed may have seen himself as the Savior of Escondido...He would be the one to actually "do something". Wow. Nothing like being disillusioned. Wild Fantasies! Come on...our own Federal government with the smartest of the smartest the sharpest of the sharpest the connected, the highly-educated and so much more...well, they can't control illegal immigration. The whole fence thing seems to be causing the feds a bit of trouble with the construction - the land moving and so on. Anyway, in the video Abed says that the abandoned rental ban was “good government”. He says that now…even after the Rental Ban was smacked down like a rabid dog…Abed still thinks it was good government!!

Abed, Gallo and Waldron had ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESS subjecting OUR CITY AND ITS CITIZENS to the side-effects of their horrible attempt to regulate illegal immigration!! Our city HAS NOT recovered from the effects...it can't really because on one hand Abed is touting how HE (see the narcissism) made the city a safer city and then he constantly talks about the over-crowding in the city. Then of course, he sticks his size 8 in his mouth and refers to the Mission Park study. He keeps tying it all together – the common denominator is “over-crowding”! Psssttt...there has not been a sudden influx of new immigrants of another nationality.

As pointed out previously, the ill-fated horrible abandoned Rental Ban cost the city "face" and "green backs". Now, the public (that's us the citizens, the voters) well, we know that it cost $250,000 give or take 10, 20, 30, 40 thousand (WHO REALLY KNOWS) - WELL back then ABED, as well as Waldron & GALLO all agreed that the city should track the costs of the Rental Ban & as a matter of fact all ORDINANCES!! They talked about ACCOUNTABILITY! Well, BE ACCOUNTABLE!! TELL THE CITIZENS HOW MUCH THE RENTAL BAN COST THE CITY!!! Down to the Penny, if you please!!!!!

AND WHILE YOU ARE AT IT TELL US HOW MUCH MONEY HAS GONE INTO THE "PROPOSED" PARKING ORDINANCE!!

Time for some accountability!!

Oh...and tell us where the MONEY for the HOTEL is coming from!! The citizens demand ACCOUNTABILITY...and so does the Attorney General.

To Bogie wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:02 AM:Right. And I'm the Prince of Wales!

Why so defensive? Why doth thou protest so vehemently? Me thinks me is on to something!

VOTE NO ON SAM wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:05 AM:Sam Abed is a racist "Poor people and Latinos can't be outside the regulations. We can be compassionate with them, but at the same time we have to respect the rights of citizens." So is he implying that poor people and Latinos are not citizens? Perhaps Mr. Abed is not aware of this fact; Not all poor people are Latino, not all Latinos are illegal, and not all illegals are Latino. Say no to the status quo. Vote out Sam Abed.

Anti SAM wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:07 AM:Did anyone notice the slums on Elder Place on the video? The City owns some of those apartments...what other slum address's does the city own?
Council of slum lords.
Sam "OWN" what you and your council have
"developed" in Escondido. A pig sty,with or without lipstick.It's still a pig sty.

Cotton Ballz wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:12 AM:When is Sam going to talk about the

2007 - $9.8 million deficit?
Increase in 170 fees to residents while
this council including Sam gave
$18.Million gift to hotel developer?
$$$ for education
14 years of an Arts Center that makes no profit.The citys blight of abandoned projects.Giving developers waivers on fees.Streets in ill repair all over town.The filth, trash, graffiti ,boarded up buildings,the hospital fiasco,rental ban fiasco,parking fiasco,the waste of millions on this baloney.
Empty promises of high paying jobs.Where's the new business influx in the ERC? Crime,yes we have it right here in Escondido. Insufficient number of Police & Fire Personnel.Yet you gave the council a raise.You gave every city employee a $2000.00 stipend.Nice when you have every other friday off to . City employees got phat gas allowences.Use your computers ,fax,emails and phones.They are cheaper than phat gas allowence.Who is double dipping on their gas allowence?Charging the city then charging whatever commissions/boards they sit on for the same mileage?
You may think these "small" things are not noticed by voters because you Sam do not want to talk about them.
What you and this council have done to Escondido is disgusting.We will hold you accountable for this mismanagement come election day.

VOTE NOV. 4 , 2008
Goodbye Abed Gallo
...

Boat wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:29 AM:Let's not forget that little stunt that he & Gallo pulled trying to get the Democratic Headquarters closed. For someone who claims to love this country & our form of government he doesn't seem to have a grasp of what democracy is all about.

Blinders Off wrote on Oct 3, 2008 1:02 PM:What is this so-called "clear path to prosperity"?

I do not see the path to prosperity! Our nation is in extremely serious financial trouble. The House just approved the $700 Billion Bail-Out Package! Our friends and neighbors and associates are all cutting corners to absorb the impacts of the increased costs of living. Our own city has an excessive number of homes and condominiums for sale. We have an extremely high foreclosure rate. Some people say it's because of the illegals, but that is an exaggerated statement intended to deflect any blame being accepted by legal citizens. Our schools are doing very poorly, academically and capacity wise. The city has posted another deficit this year. According to the lastest census, Escondido has reduced population-wise by more than 9,000 people. Some people find the immigration status of these people immaterial, because these people only choose to believe they were all illegal immigrants. The sales tax revenue has declined markedly (I do not believe the only cause is "the economy"). The city has cut services and funding for most city departments which affects the residents, all while increasing the costs the city charges for more than 170 services.

I do not see this path to prosperity. I see a path that has the very potential to put the city in financial ruin. If the city is unable to sale off a large number of these homes "on the market", then the residents will absorb the costs. Those homes will fall into disrepair, the frontage of the homes will die and become huge eye-sores (as we see now) and the homes will become magnets for criminals and potentially homeless. Also, the projects in the downtown area that have yet to be completed (and it seems pretty evident they could be that way for a number of years) are not doing any favors economically for the city. And we have no new high-tech jobs or even the commitment by a high-tech company to come to our city.

I don't see the path...I’m looking but, I don’t see it - and my blinders are off. I cannot support a candidate that is so out-of-touch with the hardships and realities of most families in our city.

Yes he said it. wrote on Oct 3, 2008 2:18 PM:Where is the outrage!!! How can an elected official make such a blantantly racist comment and not get questioned about it. If he wants to regulate the poor and Latinos he should move to Rancho Santa Fe I hear they don't have much of that there. Sam you live in Escondido what do you expect? "A good reputation is important, but the middle class families would not stay in this city if we didn't change direction," said Abed. "Poor people and Latinos can't be outside the regulations. We can be compassionate with them, but at the same time we have to respect the rights of citizens." He said it!!! What a shame. Shame on Sam and anyone else that agrees with his rhetoric.

To Sam Abed wrote on Oct 3, 2008 3:48 PM:I am an American woman of Mexican descent. I live in Escondido. I AM A CITIZEN!!! Are you implying that you think Latino's don't belong in Escondido or that you think Latino's are not citizens? I am perplexed and upset about your insensitive and primitive comment. I believe you owe the entire Latino community an apology and certainly the poor amongst us one as well. Latinos and the poor are still human beings. What a disgrace you are.

Sam is wrote on Oct 3, 2008 4:59 PM:Sam is an artist of the "low-blow".

After all the conversation about Escondido and the majority of its council being racist, here is Sam Abed bashing the "poor people and Latinos".

Wow!! How will he try to talk his way out of this one?

Question wrote on Oct 3, 2008 5:24 PM:Question: I know the Chamber Commerce, specifically Harvey Mitchell, previously said they were not going to endorse any candidates because all the candidates represent the business community. Why the flip flop?

Are Sam and Ed doing so poorly (because of their real track records) that the "business community" has to come to their rescue?

I have to say: The Chamber's flip-flop does not sit well with this business owner. Personally, I will be voting for Mr. Barron!

overtaxed wrote on Oct 3, 2008 5:43 PM:TO: Bogie !
I cannot believe you are back here sniveling again. Please Bogie stop crying as if you'd lost your golf balls.
Bogie dear you need to look up the word clean in the dictionary.What Sammy & little Ed have done here is the opposite of clean.
signed,
overtaxed
aka a nurturing Mother
VOTE NOV 4 2008
Goodbye Abed Gallo
***** GAG *****

to the three stooges wrote on Oct 3, 2008 5:45 PM:DO YOU KNOW THA SAMMY OWNS A BIG PROPERTY FEW BLOCKS FROM THE HOTEL THAT HIS FRIENDS WANT TO BUILD. IF HE HELPS THE DEVELOPER, HIS PROPERTY VALUE WILL GO VERY HIGH!

LOL wrote on Oct 3, 2008 5:52 PM:Abed's property is too far from the hotel site to gain 1 dollar in value. Gimme a break. His property is in the mercado area on the west side of Centre City. How is a hotel by City Hall going to raise it's value? ROFL!!!!

Also, what does Sam have to do with 14 years of CCAE undersight? He has only been on the council a couple years.
I do not support him, but some of you need to get your facts straight and think before you run off at the keyboard......lol!

taxpayer wrote on Oct 4, 2008 10:08 PM:Hey LOL you said,
"Also, what does Sam have to do with 14 years of CCAE undersight? He has only been on the council a couple years."

ANSWER:
4 of the 14 years that the CCAE has been sucking the City dry. Abed has been on the council making decisions about the CCAE.
In his 4 years as a council member he has not been powerless. He joined forces with Waldron & Gallo mismanaging/wasting MILLIONS of tax dollars.Assisted in taking Escondido to the gutter.Abed is not an innocent.He just plays one.
I am glad to read you do not support him.
But frankly I cannot find anything in the election very funny...as in LOL
Do you think funding the CCAE is worth a giggle?
How about that big - $9.8 million deficit? No money for Police/Firefighters
You still laughing?

You wont when you recieve your tax bills or do you get one? Own a home in Escondido?
Abed has been on the council 4 to many years.
VOTE NOV 4 2008
Goodbye Abed Gallo
***** GAG ******

Clueless bloggers wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:23 PM:"Blinders Off" said, "If the city is unable to sale off a large number of these homes "on the market", then the residents will absorb the costs."

Typical anti-Abed blogger who doesn't know that the City can't sell what it doesn't own.

"BO" continues, "Those homes will fall into disrepair....become huge eye-sores...and the homes will become magnets for criminals and potentially homeless."

Yeah - maybe even for more hordes of illegal aliens parking cars in the front yards and dragging down Escondido's schools!

Escondido has a program of code enforcement to deal with the bank-owned forclosures, just as the other cities in the area have.

Another clueless talker wants to make an issue about Escondido's (purportedly) falling average income stat - you think the glut of illegals might have a detrimental downward push on that stat?

Government can only accomplish so much, but Abed and Gallo have done a great job navigating unknown waters, as they work to counter these national and local problems which are impacting Escondido.

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Oct 24, 2008 2:25 AM:Gallo & Abed's damage is everywhere you look in Escondido.
Mismanaged MILLIONS
WASTED.....Nov 4 2008
vote out Abed & Gallo

gagabedgallo