Old School wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:55 PM:Are we headed back to the volunteer day's?

Hmmm wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:25 PM:Would the proposed downtown Marriott $18.9 Million dollar "incentive" be considered a "Sacred Cow".

I guess Abed was wrong when they said the city is more properous.

I guess Gallo's comment from the candidate form about the response times being faster WAS WRONG!

Will the city drop the hotel deal now???

Escondidite wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:27 PM:Maybe we should fly a bond for this. The High School District has figured a way to do a bond without taxes.

Amazing

Moo wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:41 PM:The Moo-riott hotel is this council's sacred cow.

Floyd wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:55 PM:Fire protection is more important than having our city own Stanley Peak. Sell it and use the money for fire protection!

Escondodo wrote on Oct 29, 2008 10:02 PM:If the city got back the million dollar plus SUBSIDY it gives over to the arts center, public safety wouldn't be such an issue. In these times, the "arts" should pay for themselves (or those who patronize it should). Although with the current administration in place, I doubt that will ever happen.

MGD wrote on Oct 29, 2008 10:46 PM:Gallo said. "We can't afford to have any sacred cows."


POLICE TAKE HOME CARS=SARCRED COWS!

City Hall Politics wrote on Oct 29, 2008 11:11 PM:How does a deficit that has been accumulating over the last few months, suddenly hit $5 million 6 days before the election.

Relocation Payments for Illegals wrote on Oct 29, 2008 11:15 PM:The City wasted $1 million last summer to relocate illegals on Elder Place who would have probably returned anyway due to lack of work.

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:05 AM:You mean to tell me Gallo & Abed did not know this information at the Monday night forum? Here they go again,manipulating the voters.
There are no sacred cows including them,vote these over bloated egos OUT!
We are 4 months into fiscal 2008/09
and the Fire Department is already at
-$5 MILLION.....that's just the EFD!
Stop playing developers you are crappy at it! Free us from the nightmare of Gallo & Abed.
VOTE FOR ESCONDIDO / VOTE DIAZ & BARRON!

signed,
Pink ;p
proud gaglicious member
gagabedgallo
google it!

Not a Fan wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:24 AM:Not a Fan of the Council - specifically the incumbents Abed & Gallo...while they keep touting the "projected revenue" of the Moo-riott (that's a good one - thanks "Moo").

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE FISCAL CONSERVATISM OF ABED & GALLO.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF BAD FISCAL MANAGEMENT.

Get rid of the council - 2 this year and the rest in 2010. Get somebody in that can ACTUALLY MANAGE MONEY!!

Vote for RICHARD BARRON - FORMER CEO OF $100,000,000 PUBLICALLY TRADED COMPANY!

Vote for Olga Diaz - Accounting & Commerce Degree - successful business owner (expanded business just last year - in "this" economy at that).

NO ONE can deny that Olga & Richard possess outstanding financial qualifications!! Much more than Abed & Gallo!

Vote for real fiscal conservatism: Vote for Barron & Diaz!!!

God Save Escondido!!!

Now I wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:26 AM:Now I lay me down to rest...

I pray for Escondido to elect the best...

The Best: Olga Diaz & Richard Barron

Reader wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:33 AM:Read the Council Minutes of June 18, 2008.

Not one word from Abed about staffing fire stations!

Now...it's even worse!!!

Firefighters: PUT THE PRESSURE ON THE COUNCIL TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE!!! DEMAND THE COUNCIL KILL THE HOTEL SWEETHEART DEAL!!! DEMAND TO BE STAFFED AS NEEDED (AS EFFECIENT AS LAST YEAR-THANK YOU)!

THIS "PUTTING THE BRAKES ON STAFFING FIRE ENGINE" IS...

ABSOLUTELY, UNEQUIVOCABLY UNACCEPTABLE!!!

To the City Council: If you didn't think the people were all ready "hot under the collar"...then imagine how this news will "fire them up". I'm way fired up!!!

STAFF OUR FIRE STATIONS & GET RID OF THE INCUMBENTS!!!

NSShirlock wrote on Oct 30, 2008 3:37 AM:OK. I'll be the bad guy. The whole CCAE/Marriot deal is the 'sacred cow.' CW Clark needs to man-up and officially back out of this premature and overly optimistic. fiasco. The city is also culpable. This discussion - CCAE/hotel, is just absurd in our current economic climate. We need a time out. No blame - just reality. We can pick it up again when we times are better. Slow and steady still wins the race. Patience is a virtue.

Gimmeabreak wrote on Oct 30, 2008 5:27 AM:and thanks again, Ed, for championing that stupid criminalizing rent to illegals ordinance two years ago. The 300 grand that dumb debacle cost the city in legal fees sure would have come in handy right about now, dontcha think?

to the three stooges wrote on Oct 30, 2008 6:52 AM:abed, Gallo and Waldron wasted almost a million tax dollars in the uncostitutional rental ban; they're wasting a lot of our money in the parking ban and want to give away several millions to a fancy hotel. ... we almost lost our city to the wild fires couple times in the last 5 years and they want to cut in fire safety? unbeliebable!!!!
WE NEED A NEW COUNCIL!!!!

vote no on Abed and Gallo wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:09 AM:we need somebody that can manage our budget better, instead of wasting our tax dollars; I'm Republican and I stick with French, he cares and loves this city and I will cross lines and will vote for Diaz,she makes more sense than the stooges.

Keep wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:17 AM:supporting the illegals and slum lords! Keep giving them handouts. Blame Gallo, Abed and Waldron for trying to stop the give away. Your ignorance is overwhelming! You feel good, heart bleeders want it both ways. How about you and the activists support these ILLEGALs and let us taxpayers save our money for the CITIZENS!

Larry wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:27 AM:How about outsourcing the fire department to private companies? You'd get twice the personnel at half the cost. You don't need to make $100,000/year to hold a fire hose.

Send Diaz packing wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:48 AM:I see all the negative nellys are up early this morning cheering on Diaz and slamming our hard working council members. Waldron beat her last time and Abed and Gallo will beat her this time. Hopefully THEN she will take herself out of our lives. ...

jvc wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:57 AM:Please staff this truck without delay
no matter what the costs!A home or life could be at stake!

wake up wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:08 AM:No new political councilmember is going to get the city out of this mess. It's global in nature; what we are seeing is a resetting of consumer spending to today's sustainable levels. That means much pain and budget readjustments for the city long-term regardless of who's in office. How some of you can think that Olga or Barron or anyone is going to instantly make a difference if they are elected is beyond me. It's not gonna happen. Cutbacks are coming regardless of the bodies sitting in those seats.

To Wake up wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:27 AM:Right on. You are forgetting however their are many folks who are voting for Obama, the second coming, because he is going to fix all this and lead us into the promised land! More Kool Aide pleas!!

Budget Whats that wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:32 AM:We just spend more & more; why should a city EVER spend less? No one will make them spend less, so just suck it up and deal with higher taxes.

Observer wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:35 AM:Funny how the cost to enforce the law (the rental ban) estimates keep ballooning by bloggers who don't have the facts.
Maybe we ought to realize that the whole nation is facing tough economic times. Escondido is NOT the ONLY city dealing with declining revenues. Just be glad Escondido has money in the reserves, including the $18 million you all keep touting. Nothing has happened with the hotel. The ball is in the developers court to get funding. The city hasn't spent any of that money. It is collecting interest in the bank.
The incumbents have done a very good job.

Karl wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:51 AM:I totally agree with Observer's observation. I also might add that I will never vote for anyone endorsed by Bill Flores.

Bernie wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:58 AM:best comment award goes to jvc

jvc[-] wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:57 AM:Please staff this truck without delay
no matter what the costs!
A home or life could be at stake!

the politicians now in power must be voted OUT

Goodbye Ed wrote on Oct 30, 2008 9:07 AM:Thanks, Ed, for doing your part in contributing to the HUGE MESS our city is in. Firefighters/Firetrucks should NOT be sacrificed, at any cost. I honestly can't believe this guy thinks he'll be elected for another term. No thanks, our city deserves better! Remember this when you vote next week.

blog budgeter wrote on Oct 30, 2008 9:31 AM:QUESTION: If Fire Station 7 is not fully staffed when it opens, does that mean the city will be able to maintain four-man staffing on the remaining engines? Suggest the NC Times pose that question to Chief Reed.
I'm a little surprised, given Mr. Barron's executive pedigree, that he doesn't understand the need to "sow seed" for future revenues which is what the hotel is supposed to do. Large and small companies alike invest long term in enterprises or resources to grow their operations. I dont know whether the hotel will be a reality or not, given the financing constraints now in place, but I understand the past council's reasoning for wanting to put it into place. Ask any economic development expert about the importance of a city having a full-service hotel and its impact on encouraging other development that brings jobs. Home builders and other small-time entitites couldn't care less about whether a city has a full-service hotel, but the employers like those Mr. Barron refers to, do take that into account when deciding where to locate facilities. Taking the $18 million and using it to shore up an as-yet undefined deficit is akin to "eating one's seed" rather than planting it for future revenues. It'll last a little while and once it's gone, there not only will the deficit still be there, but there will be nothing invested for future revenues.

Ontheplusside wrote on Oct 30, 2008 9:32 AM:Everyone is focused on what there ISN'T.

What about the added monies budgeted for high fuel costs, what is the city doing with that extra money that isn't being spent now that the price of gas is down???
Fuel prices are down from their high of $4.50 a gallon.
Won't this give the city an extra few dollars to reduce the deficit???

To Budget whats that wrote on Oct 30, 2008 9:51 AM:It will never decrease because more and more people want to be taken care of by the government. They don't have to work or think for themselves. Why do you think Obama is so popular???

JVC-1 wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:31 AM:If you want any public agency to be your mother and take care of you and ALL of your wants and needs all of the time, then you are going to have to pony up the money to pay for them to solve all of your issues since you don't want to take responsibiilty for anything you do or lift a finger to do anything yourself. So go out and campaign to increase taxes to fully fund all of your desires. This would guarantee government could build even more fire stations, hire more police officers and code enforcement officers to respond and resolve every petty complaint you have with your neighbors. A separate local street tax could be established to hire more public works employees to clean the gutters in front of your homes every day and fill every pot hole and resurface every street on a consistent basis. We could save a lot of money by doing away with the Engineering, Building and Planning Departments since we can trust all homeowners, contractors and developers to follow every rule and regulation on the books based on the honor system. We could take these displaced employees and make them fire fighters, police officers or street workers. By the way, we also could save a lot of money by doing away with all of the unfunded mandates dictated by your state and federal representatives that are passed onto the local citizens. If your supports all of these unfunded mandates, then you also should vote for a local tax to fully fund their implementation.

Hard to understand...... wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:37 AM:....a new #7 fire station without a fire engine? Why waste the money on building the fire station then?

Why.... wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:40 AM:......waste the $18 million on a hotel with our declining economy. Who do they think are going to fill the rooms of the new hotel. Buy a few fire engines and hire more qualified fire fighters.

Volunteer days...... wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:43 AM:...it still costs a bundle to train, certify and equip them. And all the volunteers in the world are useless if Esc can't afford to buy fire engines.

Cut The Juice wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:48 AM:Close Libraries, Rec. Centers
But Keep $100,000 per year pensions
at all costs.

What a country

Lokal Yokal wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:49 AM:Seriously, now is NOT the time for a $18.9 MILLION DOLLAR citizen funded donation to a developer for the downtown hotel, despite what Gallo and Abed say.

Question wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:05 AM:Before bashing the incumbents, does anyone think thousands of Illegal Aliens will help reduce the deficient? Social services and infrastructure cost a lot. And then what about the untaxed millions of dollars that is sent out of the country?

CPA wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:06 AM:No other city in san diego county lets patrol cops take police cars home except escondido. Take that privelage away (even temporarily) and the 7th Fire Engine can be put into service. Simple as that. Remember what Gallo said, "We can't afford to have any sacred cows."

To Observer Karl wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:13 AM:Yea Right.

The reason the information varies regarding the cost of the "known-to-be-doomed-before-it-was-adopted-fiasco-of-a-rental-ban" is because

THE COUNCIL WON'T TELL US HOW MUCH IT COST THE "CITY". They are too chicken!

Skip wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:15 AM:Escondido has the distinction of supporting a large group of people who simply do not pat taxes, due to low incomes, or legal residency status.

Why do you think so many people are fed up with the uncontrolled import of poverty into the United States. The same reason a lot of people are afraid of overly liberal socialist Democrats.

GIve me a break wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:20 AM:Quit throwing Olga's ability to run a coffee shop as a reason to elect her to city council. ITS A COFFEE SHOP!! BIG DEAL! My 7 yr old daughter runs a very successful lemonade stand on the weekends....doesn't make her capable of being on the city council.

Karl wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:22 AM:How did the Fire Department operate before the 3 new stations?

The Solution is Simple wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:41 AM:Just tax the rich even more !

(and see if they stay)

We Need Our Rescue Services wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:49 AM:For you "Olga" Supporters who are opening up the door on Illegal Aliens, I wouldn't go there. That is a whole can of worms.

Escondido has the distinction of being rated as the Second Worst City out of 52 comparable sized cities in California, for “Hit and Run” accidents. 2/52

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/10/26/news/sandiego/z6a083f844a12f52d882574ef000ca921.txt

TO CPA wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:56 AM:That makes sense. Take the cops cars away so they leave to other agencies. Then we have no cops but we have another fire engine to sit at there station and get washed. EPD is already one of the lowest paid agencies in the county how about cut them down a little bit more.

To CPA wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:59 AM:I think we really need to start letting the Firemen take the Fire Trucks home at night. That way we will save a ton of money on running the Fire Stations.

Report Estimates Countys Illegal Immigrant Cost at 256 MILLION in 2006 wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:17 PM:http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/08/news/top_stories/19_46_779_7_07.txt

Mexican firefighters helping in California wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:25 PM:The Answer is Simple. Our neighbors to the South will help us. After all a good portion of their people live here.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10/24//news/state/11_36_0410_23_07.txt

City on a Mission Escondido looks for ways to create community bonds in central neighborhood wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:34 PM:Over the last seven years, Escondido has funneled nearly $9.2 MILLION into housing assistance, language, child care and other programs in the neighborhood.

In all, 16,500 people ---- nearly 12 percent of the city's total population ---- are squeezed into the 1 1/2-square-mile area bordered by Lincoln Avenue, Ash Street and Valley and Centre City parkways.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/07/02/news/inland/20_03_527_1_06.txt

To Karl wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:35 PM:Pretty much the same way it was intended to operate after them. Two of the three stations are replacements intended to relocate existing crews to better serve their current districts. Seven is the only one that required new staff, and it'll still get an improved level of paramedic service. For fires, the district around seven will continue to get exactly the same response it currently gets. There won't be any greater danger on November 23rd than there was on November 22nd.

CPA wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:37 PM:To the comments @ 11:56/11:59..
If cops leave, then the pay raise will occur. Thats how it happens...look at SDPD. 300 cops left and they got 2yrs of nice pay raises. For whatever reason cops don't leave EPD in masses. They are satisified with low pay. For the here and now, take the cars away and put a 7th engine into service. The last comment @11:59 is too rediculous to rebuttle. Viva Olga

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Oct 30, 2008 1:00 PM:Stop with the Olga is:
insert negative lie comments.
They are untrue and you show your ignorance.

Dump hotel project and give the Firefighters what they require! NOW!

I'm white,I am not for illegal anything or anyone.I do not want open borders.I am against sanctuary cities .
I went out and met my candidates.Listened to them.Spent time with them,years.I choose Olga Diaz & Richard Barron because they want what I want for Escondido.They didnt lie to me or inflat the truth.
This isnt a popularity contest.The current council's body of work is everywhere you look.They have failed an entire city.
Stop the wasted MILLIONS!
If re elected the current council will be cutting positions at City Hall the minute this election is over.Because the Council has mismanaged MILLIONS!
While they tucked away $18 MILLION for a hotel while the nation is in a depression.
If you don't throw these incompetent incumbents out NOV4th .....Escondido will get even worse.Your home values will be worthless.All homes in a ghetto are worthless.There wont be any high paying jobs....their promises ...all lies...they say whatever they want to manipulate the voters and never deliver.
Do not be sucked in any longer.
VOTE FOR DIAZ & BARRON NOV 4th

GO ESCONDIDO FIREFIGHTERS!

Paper Doll wrote on Oct 30, 2008 1:02 PM:Watch the Candidates Forum tonight on cox ch.19 at 6pm...watch Richard Barron & Olga Diaz talk about this very situation......

Barron & Diaz make mince meat out of the rest! It was fabulous!

To Budget Whats that wrote on Oct 30, 2008 1:16 PM:SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT !

re: We just spend more & more; why should a city EVER spend less? No one will make them spend less, so just suck it up and deal with higher taxes

DON PERATA : Senate pro Tem Don Perata stated the only way to close our $16 billion budget deficit is to: "Raise taxes. That clear enough? Raise taxes."

jvc wrote on Oct 30, 2008 2:02 PM:Do not tax the rich that way their wealth will trickle down to the middle class and poor! Reagan has proven this
to be a sound economic theory!

To CPA wrote on Oct 30, 2008 2:15 PM:LOL
You said it all ......... Viva Olga !

RE: To CPA
[-] wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:59 AM:I think we really need to start letting the Firemen take the Fire Trucks home at night. That way we will save a ton of money on running the Fire Stations.

VIVA OLGA !

TO CPA wrote on Oct 30, 2008 2:23 PM:Yeah let them leave. It cost about $100,000 and 1 year to hire a cop send him through an academy and get him onto the streets. I hope you are not my accountant. I don't know the numbers but if you read the last thing about take home cars, it would cost the city more money to take them away and train new officers if only 2 officers left a year. Imagine if we had a mass exodus how much that would cost.

9.2 MILLION and Rising wrote on Oct 30, 2008 2:30 PM:RE: Mission Park : Moreover, spending more money on an area populated predominantly by foreign-born Spanish speakers is sure to encounter some resistance in a city where the topic of illegal immigration has sparked heated reactions on the council dais.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/07/02/news/inland/20_03_527_1_06.txt

Im amazed wrote on Oct 30, 2008 2:46 PM:....that the Escondeeter has not posted on this topic. Where are you?

Mooing wrote on Oct 30, 2008 2:46 PM:Gallo picks the Moo-riot Hotel over Public Safety? Luxury over necessity.

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Oct 30, 2008 3:31 PM:Do we have an engine/ladder that can handle a fire situation of a 7 story hotel? If not,what will that cost the taxpayers?

signed,
Pink ;p
proud gagalicious member
gagabedgallo
google it!

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Oct 30, 2008 3:56 PM:VIVA OLGA !

signed,
Pink ;p
proud gagalicious member
gagabedgallo
google it!

VIVA OLGA !

Seems odd wrote on Oct 30, 2008 4:44 PM:that the firefighters in this town want Abed AND Diaz elected. Why not just do away with those two seats and paychecks?

escondeeter wrote on Oct 30, 2008 5:43 PM:To "I'm Amazed"...

Thank you for your concern. I've spent the day reading opening statements on a Los Angeles murder trial I'm following.

The only thing I can determine from the article, which contains several inaccuracies, is that the reporter believes there'll be a three week delay in staffing the engine company in the new station seven. Because the personnel to accomplish that are already on the payroll, there's no apparent cost savings there, which negates the whole premise of the story, and the premise of most of the negative comments on the story. Obviously, there's some information missing.

So, until there's some accurate information about the specifics of the staffing proposal, there really isn't anything to comment on. Once there is, I will. In the meantime, you might want to review the definition of "post hoc ergo propter hoc", particularly the part about it being a logical fallacy.

Its So Obvious wrote on Oct 30, 2008 6:08 PM:When you "VIVA" someone, isn't that a term they use in some Spanish speaking country, such as Mexico?

Why would foreigners be interested in American Elections?

I think you all know the answer to that one.


VIVA Olga

WAZZUP wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:47 PM:WAZZUP Escondido? Candidate Forum Summary:

Voelker: wants to raise sales tax by 1/2 cent & immediately repeal Prop S - the people's amendment!

French: wants to serve the people & is a longtime volunteer in the community (in all the community - including the poorer neighborhoods) - BIG Shout Out to French!!

Gallo: wants to fund the $18.9 Million dollar sweetheart hotel "Moo"riott and build more houses - he exaggerates the facts - Gallo has been on CCAE subcommittee for YEARS!! Gallo thinks every development has to go before a general plan amendment because of Prop S

Abed: wants to fund the $18.9 million dollar sweetheart hotel "Moo"riott/aka. support campaign contributing hotel developer C.W. Clark & thinks the city is more prosperous & he thinks Prop S is an anti growth measure

Barron: priorities are fire, police and infrastructure - has a impressive resume.

Diaz: informed, personable, approachable, straight-up & financially successful!

Get Rid of the Incumbents on November 4th - they are whining now because they think they are getting picked on - they think people are slinging mud! Sorry Abed & Gallo - sorry you can't comprehend that mudslinging and distributing the truth are two entirely different things. The incumbents supporters often post comments with the word "sanctuary" in the post - THAT is MUDSLINGING - by the mudslinging pros!

VOTE THE GALLO & ABED OUT!! We now have a projected $5 million dollar DEFICIT - DON'T WASTE YOUR VOTE ON THE INCUMBENTS - DON'T LET THEM WASTE OUR MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!!!

25 yr resident wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:56 PM:Easy.
Dump Marriott.
Dump Arts Center.
Easy.
Easy.
Easy.
Should have been done years ago!!!

Minutemens Sweethearts wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:56 PM:According to the following NCT story, "Chavez rejects Minutemen endorsement"

"Mayoral candidate Rocky Chavez this week rejected an unexpected endorsement from the San Diego Minutemen, a group that has made a name for itself in North County by protesting day laborers and illegal immigrants.
More election coverage

On its Web site, the group lists candidates in several races that it supports in the Nov. 4 election.

The list of endorsements includes prominent local Republican representatives and candidates... and ESCONDIDO COUNCILMEN ED GALLO AND SAM ABED.

That's an endorsement that will surely make plenty of people GAG!

Speaking of GAG...google it...Goodby Abed Gallo

Skip wrote on Oct 30, 2008 9:47 PM:I found plenty of info to support Olga's position on Illegal Aliens. Not only is she rude, but she seems to really hate America's Sovereignty.

Search YouTube Titles

Escondido City Council, 18 Oct 2006
and
Olga Diaz at Escondido CIty Council

Olga Diaz insults the Escondido City Council because she doesn't like a new law forbidding renting to illegal immigrants ...

TO Diaz informed personable approachable straight-up financially successful wrote on Oct 30, 2008 9:52 PM:Search YouTube : Escondido City Council, 18 Oct 2006

childish people wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:14 PM:If the individuals on here supporting Olga are representative of the mentality that surounds her, then I will not be voting for her. I have never read such childish, ignorant comments in my life. So, na na na na boo boo.

To Skip wrote on Oct 31, 2008 1:12 AM:Sorry you supported the illegal rental ban - sorry you think that wasting hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars (knowing full well it would end up in court) is good governance!

Sorry that you would follow Abed & Gallo over the cliff!

Everybody has already seen that video - and you know what? It ain't nothing!!! She didn't say anything more than a couple dozen other people said!!! She was DEFINATELY not out of line! How narrow-minded of you to not recognize that many people WERE insulted by the position of the council majority - but you could also give a crap about that - ain't that right - Skippy.

Sorry that you have a slight (understatement) with the whole video - it's old and so is your silly, silly argument. Oh Yea. Sorry you didn't like the way Olga told Marie Waldron exactly what she wanted to do - which was to unseat the obviously misguided and uneducated (my opinion) WALDRON!!!

Skip...why don't you spend some time trying to explain to the good taxpaying citizens of Escondido...why we have a NOW projected $5 MILLION dollar deficit??? On Sam & Ed's "watch". And why Sam says "Escondido is more prosperous"!!!

What's says you to that, "Skip" (an alias). Wink. Wink.

Joe wrote on Oct 31, 2008 5:46 AM:Seems I'm missing 3 or 4 comments I posted here. What does this paper have against the first amendment? I followed their policies.

OD wrote on Oct 31, 2008 5:47 AM:The word is goodbyE smart person! lol

Thanks to wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:35 AM:Thanks to Abed & Gallo...

thanks to their involvement...

thanks to Gallo being on the buget subcommittee for years...

thanks to Abed's math-uhh-matical skillzzz...

that's right Thanks to the Incumbents Abed and Gallo...

THE CITY HAS A PROJECTED $5 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT.

THANKS TO THE INCUBENTS:
ANOTHER FIRE TRUCK IS THE SCRATCHED
OFF of the ABED/GALLO PRIORITY LIST
- and so there will be NO FIRE ENGINE at one of the most crucial stations!!!

VOTE ABED AND GALLO OUT OF OFFICE!

IMPORTANT: View the 6-18-08 Council Meeting online - watch Abed NOT fight for more public safety personnel. Watch it and think about his claims. Watch it, think and Vote accordingly (aka. don't vote for Abed...or Gallo)

Must Be wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:41 AM:The Council must be in a meeting this morning because we have not heard a peep from them.

I love the way they self-promote...as if we are so gullible. With this monster deficit and the $5 million dollars in cuts (already cut) to city departments, they still think Escondido is better off - Abed thinks its more prosperous and Gallo's family doesn't even want to live here (he said they live "nearby").

They must be in a meeting this morning.

Hey! Has anyone heard from Karl or Scooter or Bogie or Skip?

I wonder if the council is meeting to GIVE BACK THEIR RAISES!!! The raises they approved just last year (when they knew there would be a deficit).

Syl wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:55 AM:Sure a $5 Million Dollar Deficit is a lot, so why don't we cut the city services to under-taxpaying Illegal Aliens who should not be here in the first place.

As a middle class American Citizen tax-payer, I am sad to see some city services degraded that effect everyone, while other programs that are quietly pushed through that only affect a certain segment of our population. What about the $9.2 million Escondido has funneled into housing assistance, language, child care and other programs for just the Mission Park Neighborhood.

The citizens of Escondido need this Fire Station, if for no other reason that Escondido is the Hit and Run capitol of Southern California, but at the same time I am leery of having the city's wealth redistributed, and then the American Middle class blamed for the consequences.

Sorry Olga is just not my choice for a better Escondido.

Curtis wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:02 AM:Why do so many people complain about the nice things that are happening in Escondido? We get a train and people complain; now we're going to get a nice hotel and people complain. I think some of you would complain if the city refunded all your taxes and offered to cut your grass for free. Your first question would be about the people who were going to cut your grass. Are they legal? Your attitudes should be illegal.

A Color Crayon wrote on Oct 31, 2008 12:08 PM:Can somebody get me a color crayon and some paper?

I need to draw Curtis a picture.

On one side will be the people of Escondido watching their houses go up in smoke (because we have no fire engine in our area).

On the other side will be Abed, Gallo, "Curtis" and other "chosen ones" visiting the taxpayer funded (at the tune of $18.9 MILLION dollars) hotel sampling cavier and drinking champagne.

It's ok Curtis. When you have been brainwashed for so long by those who are out-of-touch with reality...then it's only natural that some of their moronic beliefs would rub off. HINT: The economy will not sustain a hotel at the current time!!! No "if's", "ands" or "buts" about it!

Curtis, the national economy is in the tank!!! If people don't have any money, they aren't going on vacation. If businesses are shutting down left and right, then they aren't going to go out of town for conferences. If Abed & Gallo would use their God given brains, they would have backed away from this pipe-virus-of-a-dream gamble!!! Like I said: "If".

Kristie wrote on Oct 31, 2008 2:23 PM:Look at your State Assembly and State Senators their lies some of the problem. The majority are Democrats. You are lucky to have Abed and Gallo or all of Escondido would look like TJ by now. Clinton signed a bill in 1999 that loosened mortgage loans for people that couldn't afford them. A regulator in 2004 tried to warn the congressional Banking and Housing committee about the problems of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac but the Democrats ie., Barney Frank, Maxine Waters, etc. didn't want to listen and instead gave the regulator a hard time. The Republicans on that committee were very concerned but out numbered. This state needs more Republicans and not less. I was a Democrat until I started seeking the truth. Do the homework before you vote. Don't listen to a lot of the false promises or over zealous false TV commercials.

To Kristie wrote on Oct 31, 2008 4:12 PM:Kristie,
That is YOUR opinion.

Escondido is not lucky to have Abed & Gallo.

Escondido is unlucky!!

Who did you say built the houses???

To Kristie wrote on Oct 31, 2008 5:01 PM:Where do you get your history from? In 2004 Republicans were in charge, not Democrats. Democrats did not get a majority in the house until 2006.

Sylvia wrote on Oct 31, 2008 5:03 PM:TO Pink Power Ranger

RE: I'm white, .......

I am very surprised that you started out a sentience with "I'm white: Don't you know that is a code word for "Racist"?

Now I don't know what to think. But I do know this, "You and your Olga Friends come across as very "Rude".

EscoBob wrote on Oct 31, 2008 5:15 PM:The businesses here need a quality hotel for their clients to stay in. It's no secret Escondido is lacking a quality hotel. This doesn't even mention the positive impact it will have on the Center for the Arts. The center will become profitable with this hotel addition. It's jealousy at its finest. Please, quit with the "Moo"riott posts on here. Your logic and math calculations are nothing short of pure comedy. MANY cities have partnered with developers to build hotels in their cities. Its how it's done. You are choosing to also ignore the TOT tax the hotel will bring. Over the life of the ground lease to Marriott, the city WILL MAKE MONEY. You just don't have all the facts, it's obvious.

You almost seem afraid that this venture will attract more upscale people to Escondido and then the city will clean up its image even more. Of course to do that it may mean more driver's license check points, shutting down the day laborer sites and maybe cutting down on the liquor stores and fast food joints.

Anyways I think it is kind of nice having a hotel in Escondido that does not charge by the hour.

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Oct 31, 2008 5:42 PM:ATTENTION:
the Pink Power Ranger on Oct. 30th at 3:56pm is not me!

What's that? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
I'd rather have truth.
and here it is,

I do not speak Spanish would never say viva anything...I'd look silly.I don't fit your profile.Blonde/green with pale skin uses sunscreen.Since my heritage is Irish.Many generations ago my fore fathers came to America in the 15th Century,yes I have the papers to prove it.
I am an American.Oh yeah , so is Olga.I've never heard her say viva.
Infact she puts ketsup on her tacos...so you (imposter) show more of your ignorance ,paranoia and fear of loosing our seat.You aren't impressing anyone with your games or your lies.You cannot run on the truth that the incumbents have mismanaged millions for years.So you say untruths about an intelligent young woman that was not fooled by this council.
When private citizens take it upon themselves to tell other citizen what the truth is...we arent the ones that have mismanaged millions.We arent running for office....we are the recipients/victims of your inferior management.
But hey....on NOV 5th....I think I might say a foreign word to celebrate you loosing!

signed,
Pink ;p
the original
proud gagalicious member
gagabedgallo,brought to you by private citizens who want to make a difference.

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:04 PM:TO: Sylvia,
I said,
I'm white,I am not for illegal anything or anyone.I do not want open borders.I am against sanctuary cities .
*********************************
I've taken the time to know my candidate.I've spent two years with Olga and I can tell you and anyone else that listens...she isn't for anything illegal....YOU are confusing fact with the fiction the inCRUMBENTS spew.

another FACT...
I am white...and I am voting for Olga....I want everyone to know white people are voting for her.We arent listening to the lies.We have checked everything out ourselves...inCRUMBENTS tend to lie...exaggerate ,down play say whatever they have to when they want to keep their seats...it's politics and it's dirty.

another FACT:I am sick and tired of the inCRUMBENTS and their supporters saying only illegals vote for Olga/
Olga supports open borders/
illegals will vote for Olga/
Olga is an ElGrupo/
Olga wants sanctuary city...that's pure bs....every word of it!

All that because she has an hispanic heritage!
Because she talked to Bill Flores!
We all have heritage from somewhere.
Not even the European Royals have pure blue blood...get a clue!
This is AMERICA we can talk to anyone we want too.It doesnt make us a member of the club.


What's in a last name?

Diaz...Latin
Gallo...Italian
Abed...Lebanese
Barron...English
MINE...Irish
YOURS?
who cares? Judge people on their merit.

She is being judged by her last name.
So who is the racist?
I did not support the rental ban..Abed Gallo and Waldron did.Giving this city the tag
Racist City in America...see CNN
So who is the racist?
Abed & Gallo endorsed by the Minutemen.
who is the racist?

You call people that support Olga rude...you call informed and sharing the truth rude...then ok I'll take it as opposed to ignorant. We have done our homework and alot of others as well.The best VOTER is one armed with the TRUTH.
We arent rude we've supported our candidate ,shown others the FACTS...and you ,what have you done?
It's really lame when people support their friend when the friend has destroyed the city you live in.Posted a -$9MILLION DEFICIT for 07 .08/09 already has a -$5MILLION DEFICIT for just one department...watch as this doubles or triples.We are 4 months into this fiscal year...and counting.
You hiding from the facts here because Abed and Gallo have FAILED this city.Abed & Gallo have NOTHING to brag about.So you , their supporter attack the other candidates supporters.
Check this out..we don't just support OLGA.....we support Richard Barron....gonna call me a racist again?

Abed & Gallo's "work" is all over this town.
Sylvia...the taxpayers are mad as hell at what has happened here and we arent going to take it anymore.This is a grass roots movement and we are going to steam roll on until we get this council cleaned out.I'm not being rough on you or rude Sylvia.Facts are Facts.
Have a good evening Sylvia &
enjoy tomorrow.

signed,
Pink ;p
proud gagalicious member
gagabedgallo
google it!

To Esco BOB wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:08 PM:The up scale people have left Escondido.
They forgot to take you with.

What's that tell you Bob?

taco Shelly wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:20 PM:Spotted last week,an Escondido incumbents wife with his re election stickers all over her mercedes
shopping in another town when she could have shopped in her own.

Is this because she does not feel safe shopping in Escondido?
Is she boycotting Escondido businesses?
Does she support depriving the city of tax revenue?
Should she have suggested to her husband that big boz stores would have brought much needed tax revenues to Escondido when they wanted to build here?
Why waste your breath,he never listens to anyone.

Shelly ;D
proud gagalicious member
gagabedgallo
google it!

EscoBob wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:37 PM:I just Googled "Racist City in America" and for the first 10 pages a lot of cities came up, but Escondido was not among them.

I do not equate the non-support of Illegal Aliens as racist.

Psst Esco Bob wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:56 PM:Abed ,Gallo & Waldron...racist....that target Latino's ,even if they are legal & Escondido's poor.

Rental Ban & Parking Ban

EscoBob wrote on Nov 1, 2008 10:38 AM:I do not equate the non-support of Illegal Aliens as racist. Sorry the olga crowd does not get my vote.

HPST DAD wrote on Nov 1, 2008 10:43 AM:Nov.1,2008 NCTimes Paper
Section A page 11

Amazing wealth of information about what's really going on at City Hall....read all about it!

Paper Doll wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:25 AM:To ~ Esco Bob.
Maybe the information in the NCTimes
today Section A page 11 will help you.

Since we all know the immigration thing is not the issue ,
Immigration ...FEDERAL JURISDICTION as per a FEDERAL JUDGE.Escondido's City Council over stepped their bounds 2006 election...did you miss that article?
...let's clear the smoke and get to the real issues... fast forward 2008

hold on Bob I know it was a fast ride.

enjoy the info...hope you use it wisely

Brenda wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:30 AM:Hey Esco Bob....we don't need your vote.

Intelligent voters know it's about the WASTED MILLIONS...MISMANAGED MILLIONS

EGOS of inCRUMBENTS wanting to be called
DEVELOPERS....look what they've developed ...a big old ghetto !
VOTE NOV 4th BARRON & DIAZ

proud gag member
gagabedgallo
google it!

check out NCTimes 11/01/08 sectA page11

LOL wrote on Nov 1, 2008 12:19 PM:Then, there are the bloggers who are looking for anything to inject their spin into the council race, mostly at the expense of the incumbents. I wouldn't be surprised if somehow these partisans blame the incumbents for Iceland's pending bankruptcy, Sen. McCain's skin cancer, Palin's goofy accent, and, of course, the Iraqi War and the Wall Street meltdown. Gotta be the three stooges' fault, somehow! Then there are the union critics who use this to try to tie the firefighters, police and other public agency unions to the likes of Jimmy Hoffa and the mob. Once in a while, you can detect a local politician trying to defend him or herself under a secret name. Very few, very, very few blogs contain any thoughtful reflection of opinion on the subject issue itself; the Escondeteer one is the one exception that comes to mind. And I usually disagree with him or her, but at least this blogger sticks to issues without resorting to personal attacks and in doing so, offers up constructive opinions that are worth taking into consideration. Most -- not all -- the rest of you are little more than partisan and hacks for your respective points of view which makes the stuff at the end of the column of little or no value.

You Said It Not Me wrote on Nov 1, 2008 4:38 PM:another FACT: I am sick and tired of the inCRUMBENTS and their supporters saying

only illegals vote for Olga/
Olga supports open borders/
illegals will vote for Olga/
Olga is an ElGrupo/
Olga wants sanctuary city...that's pure bs....every word of it!

I watched the YouTube Videos and it was quite obvious that Olga does indeed heavily support the "Rights" of Illegal Aliens.

But I will conceede that Illgals cannot vote (because they do not have Driver's Licenses)

SAY WHAT wrote on Nov 1, 2008 9:48 PM:SAY WHAT?

The council still thinks investing more than Eighteen Million Dollars in this economic time is a wise move.

The staffing of firefighters takes precedence over a new hotel.

I will not vote for councilmen that do not have their priorities in order. The priority is to protect the residents, not to entertain them with a luxury hotel. Firefighters provide protection and that is where the money should be invested.

To LOL wrote on Nov 1, 2008 10:05 PM:I think you just resorted to calling people names.

You said "Most - not all-the rest of you are little more than partisan and hacks for your respective..."

You sound like Escondido's incumbents.

TO LOL wrote on Nov 1, 2008 10:28 PM:Speak for yourself....just to remeind YOU ...YOU are at the end of the column of posts...."chorlte"

you cannot read wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:50 PM:or you have no comprehension of what it is you read.