Bought and Paid for wrote on Oct 7, 2008 7:00 PM:Why would Wood raise any money, the union give him every thing he needs. So much for getting citizen support. Watch out for your wallet if this guy get elected.

Coast Watcher wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:03 PM:Wood, Sanchez, Lowery! Is that the best the union could buy? I would ask for my money back.

who is bought and paid for wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:15 PM:You criticize Jim Wood for taking the support of the firefighters and the police officers. He got what, maybe $5K in support with signs and stuff. Yet you make no mention of a $5000 donation of CASH to Rocky by Robertson's concrete of Corona. Hmmmm...Rocky gets CASH from an outside concrete plant after he votes to approve their business despite protests from citizens and Jim Wood is the bad guy here? Watch your wallet? Watch your neighborhood go down the drain. Feller received money from Robertson's as well...I know I saw his filings. Again, why are the dreaded "unions" the bad guys here? They are NOT the highest paid in the county, their retirement was put in their contract more than 8 years ago...which means not one single councilmember was around at the time yet they remain the dirty guys here. Yes Wood voted to give them a sizable raise a few years ago, but that simply brought them into the competetive range throughout the county. We could go cheap like we have in the past and we will get more crime, and a continued degredation of the City's image.

But have fun with that sweet concrete plant. That will really bring in some great, high paying, high skilled jobs...NOT. Rocky, Feller and their pal Gibson have to go. We don't want inland industry ruining our beach town.

OceansideResident wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:02 PM:The Robertson plant belongs on INDUSTRY St.

ROCKY, FELLER and GIBSON!!!

OceansideResident wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:04 PM:How many members of OPOA are RESIDENTS, Nadine?

Quality Counts wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:24 PM:Why wood anyone give money to Jim Wood; see him on KOCT. He is clueless on the issues. I want someone who can at least answer the questions and demonstrate a thought process. Rocky is clearly the smartest between the two.

Joan wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:30 PM:Clearly Jim Wood's support has been wavering. He does not make people excited. He is negative and if you watch KOCT, you will see it. He sort of seems like Barney Fife who has been given a bullet and has turned mean. He is scary.

Shame Shame wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:55 PM:I supported Woods before , but Rocky has proven to be a better leader. When have you ever seen Woods out getting his hands dirty in the community? Rocky's always there. Youth support, Church, community. Its always Rocky that really cares.

I was putting signs out for Rocky today. I place a few signs out where there were no signs of any candidates. A hour later I drove by the same area and all Rocky's signs were gone and replaced with Wood's, Lowery and Ester.

I think that was really mean and disrespectful. Not saying the other candidates took them, but makes you wonder!

Lowery a war protester wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:00 PM:I googled Charles Lowery and he is a Big anti-war protester. Its OK to voice your opinions about the war, But a candidate that opposes the war might not be a good choice for Oceanside, being one of the largest MILITARY cities.

Ridiculous wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:04 PM:These bloggers are obvious partisans for their own candidates. Such negativity. Just goes to show that their votes are easy to buy.

Firefighters and police shouldnt wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:05 PM:I love my firefighters and police, but I feel a whole lot better if they stayed out of politics, local, federal and otherwise.

They keep it up and I'm gonna have to cut back on my police and fire charity donations.

Their job is to serve the public, not give their opinions!

Retired Firefighter

Nadine wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:06 PM:Love to see my name in print every once in awhile. Too funny that I haven't even blogged yet. Review the lawsuit against the City that Rocky and Feller created by ok'ing a concrete plant within 300 feet of peoples' homes. Should make for interesting reading. When I run for Mayor, once Jim Wood gets re-elected then decides later to move on to another office or retire, I'll have some good name recognition thanks to you guys. I really appreciate it.

My vote wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:06 PM:my vote goes to Lowery, Sanchez and Wood.

Wah wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:12 PM:Why would the firefighter support Open Boarders Sanchez, War protester Lowery and Stop Progress Woods?? What have they done for the Unions? Uhmmm...............NOTHING!

I don't get it , have we all gone to the dark side?

Read it again wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:32 PM:Rocky, Gibson and Feller are bought and paid for! Why bother holding city council meetings? Vote for the candidates that are the voice of Oceanside residents! Vote Wood, Sanchez and Lowery!

My vote wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:34 PM:Chavez, Feller and Gibson, so there!

The Peoples Candidates wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:43 PM:Our grassroots candidates are Wood, Sanchez and Lowery. They really care about the city and residents. They also share one thing -- they were born and raised here and have lived many more years in Oceanside than the rest. Chavez started running for office even before he moved to Oceanside! After reading the obnoxious news about these bought and paid for candidates, my vote is for Wood, Sanchez and Lowery. If you see who has the most signs in OCEANSIDE VOTER HOMES, it is these three, NOT the anti-residents and anti-business terrible trio of Feller, Gibson and Rocky. Vote for Wood, Sanchez and Lowery, for a better Oceanside!

News Flash wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:46 PM:The bloggers from the Gibson camp who constantly berate Mr. Lowery continue to remind us that Mr. Lowery wants the war to end. I spend alot of time with our valiant marines, and believe me no one prefers the war to end more than our brave troops. I'm not sure why you think it's a negative thing. But, listen, go ahead and keep telling everyone that Mr. Lowery prefers the war to end. You are just helping him to get elected, and I am pretty happy about that! Vote Wood, Sanchez and Lowery!

Real retired firefighter wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:51 PM:I support our guys out there, doing what's best for Oceanside. Until you've been there, knowing that some equipment or some unqualified EMT (who must stay with the vehicle and is not able to legally enter)will result in a death is not something you can ever forget. Saving lives is what we live for! And you never stop caring, even after you retire. These guys are reacting to what has been said about "two-tier" and "outsourcing." It's been in the media. I wouldn't expect anything less from someone invested in their life's meaning in saving lives. Because of them, I will absolutely vote for Wood, Sanchez and Lowery. We all will!

Its Obvious wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:57 PM:It's obvious that the reason Mr. Wood, Ms. Sanchez and Mr. Lowery have collected less is because those that are giving to their campaigns are people like you and me, who don't have as much to give as the big developers and big special interest. It's a nice trick by the republicans -- accuse your opponent of what you, yourself are doing, to deflect from your own bad deed. Mr. Wood, Ms. Sanchez and Mr. Lowery are good, kind people, running for the best of reasons -- because they care. They are qualified, they hold the interests of us citizens, businesses and city above that of those out of town special interests. I am voting for Oceanside -- Wood, Sanchez and Lowery.

Fiscal Leadership Required wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:29 PM:Anyone one can lead when things are going well Wood proved this over the last 4 years. However, we are facing challenging times ahead and giveaway governance is no longer going to work. Here we sit with a State Budget upside down and they are just starting to talk about it. Oceanside knows its property tax and sale tax receipts are below projections and likely below last years receipts. We can not wait to address this issue until after the election as much as the Administration does not want to talk about it. Jim Woods gifts of pay increases and retirement benefits must be paid for in this down economy, Oceanside should demand to hear for the City Manager on this issue ASAP, unless he is too busy working on Jim Woods re-election campaign.

Vote Sanchez Lowery Wood wrote on Oct 8, 2008 12:53 AM:I do not care if Chavez and Feller are nice or not. They vote for corporations that pay for their political campaign and against the citizen of Oceanside. That's enough to make me vote for Lowery, Sanchez and Wood.

John wrote on Oct 8, 2008 1:06 AM:All bloggers are correct. Elected officials have an obligation to their contributors. Who should we be obligated to? the police and fire or the developers? Your choice.

Paid off wrote on Oct 8, 2008 5:37 AM:The $5k from Robertson's shows Rocky can be bought by outside interests. I wonder how much he received before he voted. He claims to represent the citizens - HA!

Gregory Cyn Ltd wants to build a dump on the San Luis Rey river. Oceanside has riparian rights to the water. Will Rocky support a dump next to our drinking water supply?

Jertho Jimmy wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:25 AM:After reading this article, I have finally decided who to vote for. It's now obvious why KFC+G want to get rid of our fire and police departments. It appears that they not only take BIG money from developers, they take even more money from rent-a-cop operators, and rent-a-fireman companies. I have decided to vote for those who will save me a few dollars a year. I have decided that when I need to make a 911 call, I will call Robertson's or Herzog, or Poseidon, or Waste Management. Thank you North County Times.

To Fiscal Leadership wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:41 AM:Rocky did a great job with the School of Business and Technology...

We need diversity wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:02 AM:I think we need a balanced council which is why I'm voting for Chavez, Feller and Lowery. Sanchez has proven to block any kind of positive growth and she needs to go. Wood had my vote until I watched the Chamber of Commerce forum. Everyone should take a look at it. Can you believe our mayor couldn't even explain what he does as mayor other than to say he is a PR guy and the city manager runs the city.

Good vs. Bad wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:07 AM:"In a special council election in June 2005, former Mayor Terry Johnson raised a record $101,000." Terry lost that race. Rocky will do the same. When you raise 3-4 times the amount of money you actually get as a salary, then you are no longer listening to the people or voting what's best for Oceanside. You, Chavez, Feller and Gibson, have and always will vote for what's best for your contributions AND FOR YOURSELVES, TO CONTINUE FEEDING OFF THESE ELEMENTS OF CONCRETE PLANTS, ETC. I am disgusted! I will now be voting for Sanchez, Wood and Lowery!

To Joan wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:14 AM:I don't know what part of Oceanside you live, but all I hear in my neighborhood and from my friends who live in other Oceanside neighborhoods is that we have decided on Wood, Sanchez and Lowery. Rocky's "ratings," if you will, have gone down in my opinion. His recent vote on our Fire Mountain Park, where we were not asking for ANY money, was a complete turn-off, plus his votes on Robertsons and the Lagoon project, when we pleaded with him to PLEASE do not do this to Oceanside! Now it turns out that the reason he has voted the way he has is because he was courting the very same people he was voting on! There seems to be a conflict of our interests here! I am disgusted that, of all the cities in North County, OUR representatives turn out to be the kind that will take so much money from outside interests! My vote is for Wood, Sanchez and Mr. Lowery. Shame on you Rocky! And you too, Jack and Gibson!

Jim in Oceanside wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:23 AM:If the ability to raise money were an indicator of who would be elected to just about any political office, we probably would a completely different makeup of our State and our Nation. It seems to me that sometimes it is a negative factor to a lot of voters. Personally, I could care less who raises the most money. I will vote for the individual who I believe will do the best job, or even some times, the least amount of damage. I have some severe objections to just about every candidate for our illustrious City Council Positions. But I will still vote because I object to some more than others.

BarbsKid wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:14 AM:I'd already decided on voting Lowery-Wood-Sanchez. This only confirms it. Why? Well, in all honesty I know one of the parents of an SBT kid. THese parents worked their backsides off, these kids were phenomenal in trying to keep the school going. And Mr. Chavez had "stepped back" to avoid tainting the issue with politics. He was quick to invest money in the past, and equally quick to sacrifice the school. Why do I say that....the SBT family I know was shocked to learn in MAY that the school might not make the charter renewal and they were only then hearing about the problem. If waiting to last minute to recognize a crisis and ask for community involvement is a measure of Rocky Chavez's leadership style....draw your own conclusions. I want a mayor who at least isn't catering to monied corporations that simply want to develop develop develop Oceanside out of existence!

He Said wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:17 AM:Good Vs Bad @ 8:07 a.m. What you forgot to mention was Wood got the most votes last time because Rocky's and Terry's votes were split between the two. Wood this time is one on one. If last time it was mano a mano he wouldn't be mayor now.

The Mayor Job wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:32 AM:Chavez wants us to believe that he will be a "Strong Mayor" with all sort of powers. He must not have noticed that he is not in San Diego or New York but in Oceanside where the Mayor's job description is exactly like Wood described.
Wake up Chavez and move to some Banana Republic where you can do as you please.
Vote Wood, Sanchez and Lowery.

Johny On The Spot wrote on Oct 8, 2008 11:15 AM:Why do you think our city is so short of money all the time?

I feel it is because they have not expanded the tax base like our neighbor Carlsbad. They have their nice neighborhoods but also have a well developed area of technology parks and manufacturing within their city limits.

Those jobs and businesses create millions for the city's coffers. Where is Oceanside's industry and business base. No where because businesses do not want to locate here. They get a taste of our city politics and the citizen's anti-business attitude and they go elsewhere where they are wanted.

Why is the Rancho Del Oro technology park still half vacant after over a dozen years? Again, I think it is for the same reasons.

I can easily remember many big corporations who were going to move to Oceanside and then backed out when they got a taste of our city politics. Anyone remember when downtown was going to become the "financial center". It was the excuse the city fathers gave us for building their 100 million dollar City Hall complex. Of course, no big financial company in their right minds would come to a place that was so business unfriendly.

Not until we realize that without the tax base that many other local cities have created, we will always be suffering from lack of funds for the city to provide for the growth a city this size is going to have.

Hence, our property values will always lag those of Carlsbad, Encinitas and other coastal cities.

We have the "marine town" mentality and cannot seem to rise above that by supporting new businesses to help us change the image. How soon we forget that as little as 20 years ago, downtown was a mass of porn shops, sleazy bars, tattoo parlors and pawn shops.

The change from all of that came from ALLOWING new growth and construction and not by keeping growth out. We just need some responsible leaders to guide the growth in the right direction.

Johnny on the spot wrote on Oct 8, 2008 1:14 PM:I agree with you on every issue. No one is against growthin the right direction but is taking money from concrete and asphalt plants and then allowing them into our town good growth.
I don't think so. Why do you think Vista and San Marcos did not OK their concrete plant. Maybe Robertsons did not give the council people in those cities any payola?

Tell it like it is wrote on Oct 8, 2008 2:36 PM:Campaign disclosure forms filed at City Hall show that mayoral candidate Rocky Chavez had raised more than $97,000 by Sept. 30. Why would anyone pay 3 times the yearly salary for a job?

OCEANSIDIAN wrote on Oct 8, 2008 4:28 PM:"Due in part to a $10,000 contribution from Stuart Sobek, a Palm Desert real estate investor (and another $3,000 from Sobek's mother), Gibson was one of the city's most successful fundraisers during the first half of the year." NCT 9-30-08. Compare that quote with the one from this article: "Gibson collected $20,949, including $4,000 from himself. His top donors were Ecumenical Investments of Carson City, $5,000; Kleszewski, $1,500; and the San Diego County Apartment Association, $1,500." I would think that the top donor was Sobek or was the 9-30-08 article wrong???

Tell it like it is wrote on Oct 8, 2008 4:48 PM:The problem is that these council people can take in all this money and if they are elected or not elected it is still their money. One Oceanside council candidate took campaign contributions and gave money to several youth groups to make himself look good to the parents. So they take the money from the special interests an help destroy our quality of life by voting for projects the citizens don't want and then they donate with the same tainted special interest money to the kids. It is almost like legal money laundering. Nutty system and we supposedly have statewide campaign finance reform. No wonder the nation is in such a mess most of the politicians are legally on the take representing special interest and lobbyists. Wake up Oceanside your politicians are out for the good of the special interests and not you. Throw these scoundrels out.

Sure wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:22 PM:and vote new scoundrels in!

sixties chick wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:31 PM:I thought when I retired from the Vista Unified School District I had seen the last of Jim Gibson. Now he is running for Oceanside City Council! At school board meetings his arrogant manner, unwillingness to listen to the community, (having already made up his mind beforehand)and reckless spending - he voted to offer the new superintendent a significant increase in salary (over the last superintendent)and approved the creation of a number of high paying administrative positions to an already cash strapped district. Our city cannot afford Jim Gibson.

Who is wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:15 PM:RJ Land Co? They own Lowery.