bao wrote on Oct 11, 2008 4:46 PM:Chavez has accused Wood, a retired police detective, of kowtowing to public safety groups to the detriment of the city at large. "When the unions have been walking for the past two weeks for his campaign, you need to wonder what's going on," said Chavez, a retired Marine.

Last month, during a debate broadcast on Oceanside cable television station KOCT, Chavez blamed Wood's governing style for an exodus of city department heads in recent years.

Wood rapped Chavez for the demise of the School of Business and Technology, where Chavez was chief education officer. The school board refused to renew the school's charter this summer because of mounting debt.

"He gloats that he's the economic development and financial guru," Wood said during the televised debate. "(But) the first time he did something in public it was a failure."

Chavez did a slow burn, tapping his finger on the desk to punctuate a response:

"Success in education, Jim, is not about money. Success in education is children having hope. That they know that they have a future."

Both candidates have supporters who are willing to back their campaigns. Even in a sagging economy, Wood and Chavez have had fundraising success.

Coast Watcher wrote on Oct 11, 2008 4:48 PM:So Wood faults Rocky for trying to help our kids get into college. What have you done Wood? Let’s see 31 years riding a desk at OPD without a promotion, no community involvement, no accomplishments a councilmember, no vision for the future except to help grab more taxpayer dollars for the unions. Wood not only does not deserve to be reelected he should resign and finally do something FOR the taxpayers.

Fiscal Leadership Needed Now wrote on Oct 11, 2008 5:07 PM:Wood campaign and his tenure is marked by Police and Fire Union giveaways and employee benefits the City can not sustain. I am in favor of paying a reasonable and affordable wage to our public employees, but I also agree we have gone too far in this direction. Chavez has been more in tune with the City fiscal abilities and represents a future of financial responsibility for the City.

Fiscal Leadership Needed Now wrote on Oct 11, 2008 5:10 PM:Woods agenda has been one of intimidation and vindictiveness. As a former City employee I have seen a Jim Wood quite different than that he portrays to the public. It is time for a change, Wood and Sanchez must go.

Dave wrote on Oct 11, 2008 6:12 PM:Vote yes for Wood!!

Dude wrote on Oct 11, 2008 6:31 PM:There is no doubt that Rocky Chavez is the Mayor we need right now at this time. With the economy going into a depression, the only way the City will be able to survive and not have to file for bankruptcy is to have someone who represents the taxpaying citizens and not the government employee unions.
This election is for the survival of the City of Oceanside as we know it. Wood would be an absolute dissaster.

kihsc8t wrote on Oct 11, 2008 6:49 PM:Oceanside would be better served if these two worked together rather than competing against each other. Voters wonder why Chavez can't' be content to be a Councilman. He seems more on an ego trip trying to beat Wood (he has never beaten him) rather than serve the city. Chavez said in 07 that he would not run for Mayor, he can't keep his word about this or keep his commitments to the School of Business and Technology.

Same shoe different foot wrote on Oct 11, 2008 8:49 PM:I find it amazing that it was fine for Jim Wood to run against Terry Johnson when he was in a safe seat on the Council. Now that Chavez is doing to him what he did to Johnson Wood has a Problem?

Tricky Rocky wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:01 PM:What a joke! Rocky saying that Jim rules by fear????? Rocky is the one who has been threatening people, all over town, to get them to put his sign up. "If I lose, I'll still be on the council." I heard him say it! I am so tired of Rocky accusing other innocent people of what he does and what he perpetuates. A couple of nights ago, I got a call, asking me questions about the election. I thought it was legit, then when it got to councilmember Sanchez, it became obvious it was a smear campaign. Funny thing is that it said nice things about Feller, Chavez and that Gibson guy. As soon I hung up, I got my ballot and voted for Wood, Sanchez and Lowery. I don't want anything to do with that KFC-G crowd. I recommend to everyone to vote for Wood, Esther and Lowery for a better Oceanside, one with alot of decency!

Yes Wood-NoNoNo Chavez wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:02 PM:As a former City Volunteer, I have seen Chavez in action ...or...should I say...inaction. Chavez talks the talk and does not walk the walk. What has he done in the three years as part of the majority vote in the council? A few empty building downtown and no economical renascence for Oceanside. We are still the low income capital of North County. Vote Wood, Sanchez and Lowery.

OMG wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:06 PM:PLEASE don't tell me you didn't gag right after saying that the "taxpayers need Rocky..." Like a hole in the head! What has he EVER done except accept money from developers he makes decisions about. I was so angry when I read that he had taken money from Robertson's. We DO NOT need leadership that uses the office for gain. JUST SAY NO TO ROCKY! No fuel in that "rocket."

Defeated in Oceanside wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:07 PM:Chavez, Oceanside will be your Waterloo. We need a Mayor who cares for the City not a little egocentric Napoleon.

Not the same shoe wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:18 PM:Johnson was NOT a good mayor, and he lost it on the campaign trail. Rocky was tricked into running. Jim Wood, who was not as well known as he is now, has done extraordinarily well. Sorry, the shoe does NOT fit. Rocky is wasting $100,000 on a race he will NOT win. Rocky is the one who has burned so many bridges. And I hear they are all lining up to make sure he does not win again in 2 years ...

Disgraceful wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:32 PM:I talked to a friend who had her kid in Rocky's school. A lot of promises, very little action. The way I see it, the school was severely underfunded, beyond the money that they borrowed and borrowed and were never able to pay back. It was a great disservice to the community, and there is only one person who is accountable -- Mr. Chavez. He has never apologized for his mismanagement of the school. He got "passes" from the paper and from the school district, until they were unable to hold back the dam of fiscal disaster. My only question is why he continues to get a pass? If it had been Mr. Wood, the media would have been all over him. Enough is enough. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice...

What wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:45 PM:Mr. Chavez says that Mr. Wood has given increases in salaries "to the detriment of the city." What is he talking about? Mr. Chavez has been a member of the majority for 5 of the last 6 years. What could Mr. Wood possibly have done in the one year he was in the majority? Oh yeah, he helped turn this city from the highest crime rate to the lowest in 30 years. Oh, and now the city is touted as a top city to raise families. Oh and also one of the top 10 vacation places by the Wall Street Journal. The facts don't support you, Chavez. On the other hand, I've never seen anyone so vindictive as the colonel in my life! I am supporting Jim Wood.

Education and money wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:54 PM:Rocky is not an educator. Otherwise, he would have known that his statement that money has nothing to do with education is not true. The problem with education is that it is underfunded. You can't teach to every child if you have too many kids in the classroom. You can't put off infrastructure improvements forever. Once upon a time, California had the best public school system and the best College and University system. Then came Prop 13. The question is how to fund the schools without putting such a huge burden on property owners. Or maybe the question is what is the value of a good education system, which will turn out generations of educated and trained individuals who will then be able to be in a higher income bracket to be able to then help support the education system. It is a philosophical mess, one that will take very hard decisions to make. But the bottom line is that money has everything to do with the quality of education. And as Rocky found out, without money there is no school. Those kids will never have an alma mater, never have a reunion, never have a good frame of reference. I'm not sure what "hope" Rocky is talking about. Kids are the last people anyone should make promises to that he knows he will never be able to keep. Oh yeah, and there's no way that I would ever vote for Mr. Chavez.

Hope and future wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:56 PM:What hope and what future did Chavez give to the parents and kids who went to the school district, begging to keep the school open? I thought the captain (colonel?) is supposed to go down with the ship.

Clear Difference wrote on Oct 12, 2008 12:28 AM:Just read the blogs. One side is talking about fear and negative messages; they vote for Jim Wood. The other talks about the economy and what needs to be done in the future; vote for Rocky Chavez. I know who I am voting for...the future...Rocky Chavez!

Clear Difference wrote on Oct 12, 2008 12:33 AM:Just read the blogs. One side is talking about fear and negative messages; they vote for Jim Wood. The other talks about the economy and what needs to be done in the future; vote for Rocky Chavez. I know who I am voting for...the future...Rocky Chavez! Just watch KOCT and you will know whom to vote for.

kit wrote on Oct 12, 2008 2:04 AM:The difference between Rocky running from a safe seat and Wood (04) running from a safe seat, is Terry Johnson. No one wanted Johnson to succeed more than I did, but he became an embarrassment as Mayor. Johnson still would have won, if Chavez hadn't run. Many former Johnson supporters, support Wood this time.

Clear Difference wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:46 AM:The clear difference is that Wood has class; he is smart; he's made a lot of good decisions; he grew up in Oceanside; he dedicated his life to serving the public here in Oceanside; and he's already beat Chavez once. Just watch the council meetings! Wood all the way!

Not wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:49 AM:Chavez does NOT talk alot about "opportunity and change." What he talks about is how important it is to have a concrete plant on every block. Must have been after he got his $5,000 check from Robertson's.

Fiscal Leadership Needed Now wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:51 AM:Chavez has been at the helm for too long. Look how much money is spent on frivolous stuff! Time for a change! Time to elect Wood, Sanchez and Lowery!

hmmmmm wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:09 AM:Chavez finished a distant third behind Johnson when Jim won the mayor's race. That was probably the only way Chavez would have won -- with a 3-some race. It's obvious who the public prefers -- Mayor Jim Wood.

Woods Campaign Managers Busy wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:51 AM:Looks like Wood's Campaign Manager has been a busy blogger. Do you really think any bloggers minds are changed by all this? For those who might still be reading the blogs;I am opposed to the give away governance maked by Wood's leadership, or lack thereof.

OCEANSIDIAN wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:47 AM:Jim Wood has had a long and distinguished career in the Oceanside Police Department. His final evaluation included this: "This officer has dedicated his life to serving others and along the way has distinguished himself as being an ambassador of good will and cooperation." Well folks, Jim hasn't changed. As Mayor of Oceanside he has clearly been dedicated to serving others. An example among many is that he was instrumental in obtaining highly trained paramedics to replace much less qualified EMT'S. Jim Wood works to improve public safety, neighborhood problems and our quality of life. Do Oceanside a favor. Vote to re-elect Jim Wood as Mayor of Oceanside!

More of Jim Wood wrote on Oct 12, 2008 11:50 AM:In addition, Jim Wood, our now Mayor, was awarded the distinquished "Adam Henry Award" one more than one occasion during his 31 years as a police office. It is difficult to recognize the real contributions this individual has had on the Department. He proves his value towards deserving the "Adam Henry Award" even as Mayor.

Dude wrote on Oct 12, 2008 12:37 PM:The "Che Guevara" inspired city employee unionistas have mobilized themselves well in their attempt to turn our city into a Havana South. Don't be fooled by these non-resident city employee bloggers disguising themselves as Oceanside taxpayers. Vote Chavez, Feller and Gibson. Your human rights are at stake!!!!

Peg wrote on Oct 12, 2008 1:28 PM:Jim Wood was a good cop. I happened to be in a position to know this. He was promoted several times but never wanted to leave investigations because he knew that was where he did his best work. I have seen him work the same way on the council. He is not a egotist(like his opponent) and he works with people not over people. He does not brag or worse yet take credit for things he has not done ... It is true he does not command respect but he sure earns it and that is why I will vote for Jim Wood and for anyone else he needs to help him do his job. Please do not fall for those other guys, you will regret it.

OCEANSIDIAN wrote on Oct 12, 2008 1:29 PM:Folks, notice the racism and bigotry displayed by "Dude." He tries to equate our police and firefighters unions with the communism of Cuba and he labels our local union members as "unionistas." Our public safety unions represent our police officers and our firefighters and they are not "inspired" by somebody like Che Guevara. That's a lousy thing to be saying. Chavez, Feller and Gibson will save our "human rights?" Oceanside citizens were ignored and denied their "rights" when that trio voted for Robertson's cement plant despite the pleas of surrounding neighborhoods. Vote for Jim Wood and Esther Sanchez and Chuck Lowery for a better and safer Oceanside.

Daniel wrote on Oct 12, 2008 2:07 PM:Voting for Wood... hands down.

To Oceansidian wrote on Oct 12, 2008 2:46 PM:How can you say that Dude's blogg is racist bigotry? People may not agree with it but it's not racist. Just because someone does not like socialism and communism does'nt mean they are racist!!! I served in the military for 20 years to fight socialism and communism and all that it represents. You and I both know that if the government employee unions had their own way they would take every last dollar that the city has. It sounds like you might be one of those non-resident city employees that Dude is calling out.

Rocky the Change Candidate wrote on Oct 12, 2008 3:04 PM:"I talk a lot about opportunity and change!" HA HA Ha Ha Ha! Go back to your fantasy land in the corps Colonel! You are more of the same old things! Done nothing to help Oceanside, but slow us down!

Native Oside wrote on Oct 12, 2008 3:08 PM:As a former county employee who saw Wood do his work for OPD I was pleased to know he became our Mayor of Oside. I will vote for him AGAIN. This Rocky guy just does not grab me for what our city needs, we need a mayor like JIM WOOD, not Rocky, VOTE WOOD!!!

Bax wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:33 AM:Does anyone else find it hilarious that Jim Wood can't even get the endorsement of his own political party?

Yes, that's right. The Republican Party endorsed Chavez.