Always ASK for More wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:40 PM:When will the fire fighters realize the bank is broke, there is NO MORE MONEY?????

Wait, they will finally figure it out after they get what they want.

leo wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:48 PM:diaz should be excluded from any firefighting policies due to extreme conflict of interest and the payback they are expecting from her.

Memo23 wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:50 PM:Well, Escondido lost a valuable member of the city council (Gallo), thanks to the whining firefighters! And look what they got in return?--a latina activist (Diaz)who is a female version of Bill Flores--Escondido will now be officially called "Mexcondido"

Needs to wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:51 PM:Abed needs to hold his tongue.

He is in absolutely NO POSITION to be speaking of any negative campaigns!!

FIRST: Olga did not create or encourage or request the firefighters anti-gallo campaign.

SECOND: Sam nor Ed have ever addressed the anti-firefighter union signs!

THIRD: Sam nor Ed have addressed that twisted POA flyer sent out to some residents that used scare tactics in order to try to combat Olga's run for office.

FOURTH: Olga won her seat fair & square - YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS (ESPECIALLY ABED) NEED TO TREAT OLGA WITH THE RESPECT SHE DESERVES AND SHE EARNED.

FIFTH: Sam Abed - don't let your first place finish "go to your head" (Lord knows you have enough arrogance) - you only beat Olga by 935 votes!!! And that goes to show that you aren't as treasured as you think you are.

LASTLY: Great Job Olga! You have brought hope to Escondido!!!

To Always ASK wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:53 PM:You don't appear to know what you are talking about!

For one thing - the firefighters want STAFF not MONEY!!!

For another thing: EXPLAIN TO THE TAXPAYERS WHY THE CITY IS HOT TO GIVE $19 million to a hotel developer (one that contributed to Abed's campaign).

Explain to the people how the city has $19million for a hotel

and

zero dollars for firefighters!

Splain dat!!! Let's ask ABED!!!

MVet wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:54 PM:Shouldn't Olga's husband have to take a leave of absence from the Police Department. I know she favors the Fire Department, but isn't this a "Conflict of Interest", when it comes to city matters.

Negative Cops wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:58 PM:The negative attack the cops ran on Diaz countered the firefighters attack on Gallo. Also consider that Gallo didn't do much of the traditional campaign work - like Abed and Diaz seemed to - hard work always pays off. In the end Abed and Diaz won and Gallo lost - nothing else to it.

No Class wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:13 PM:The really sad part about this article is that I'm not surprised by Abed's lack of grace. In his opinion Diaz could not possibly have won simply because she worked harder and smarter and ran a better campaign. In Abed's eyes there had to be some other influence. Never mind the fact that the Firefighter's Union supported ABED as well. He didn't seem to have any complaint about that. Did Mr. Abed call the Union and say "Hey, I don't appreciate the tone of your support, please remove my name?,nope. Is Mr. Abed complaining about the vile mailer sent out by the Police Officer's Union supporting him and Mr. Gallo?, again that's a big no. And now, Mr. Abed holds himself out as an expert in Election trends saying "
"It's not normal to have your share of the votes increase by more than 3 percent after the absentees," said Abed, referring to the late surge by Diaz. "My analysis is that this happened because of the negative campaign of the firefighters in the final three weeks." First off, Mr. Abed has proven himself to be weak at analytics (note severe budget deficit generated on his watch)and secondly there are numerous other possible causes for a late surge including the final candidate forum that was televised twice and in which Diaz did very well. Bottom line is once again Sam Abed shows himself to be a man without class.

Bought Paid For wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:14 PM:Abed Bought his re-election and he paid for his "help".

Abed did not engage in traditional campaign work - he paid people to put up his signs and walk precincts!

Gallo lost - no doubt - too bad Abed didn't go with him!!!

Do you think it's time Abed tells his "peeps" to stop with the Olga bashing? If not, then Abed can look forward to the same treatment - I'm more than happy to accomodate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Please Mike wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:18 PM:The union spent fifty thousand dollars because its members objected to having to work a little harder for those inflated checks they get. Trying to paint that as an act in the interest of the community is the height of hypocracy.

They're not going to turn back the clock a year because the December revenue figures will prove the city has no money to fund their fantasies. The Council will have two options: tell the union to pound salt, or start down the road that Vallejo took. It'll be interesting to see which they choose.

Abeds Analysis wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:20 PM:For some CRAZY reason, Abed thinks he is a qualified statistician.

He offers up more analysis, compliments of his teachings from the "ABED DYSFUNCTIONAL SCHOOL OF MATH-UHH-MATICS"!

HERE ARE SOME FACTS:
Abed: 14967
Diaz: 14032
Gallo: 12467

as per the SD Registrar of Voters.

And here is the breakdown:

Abed ONLY secured 935 votes more than Olga. (I'd hardly call Abed's re-election a smooth sailing journey).

Olga secured 1,565 more votes than Ed.

So put those numbers in your whine glass and drink it!!

Those are the facts - Abed BARELY beat Olga and Olga dusted Ed!!

No Landslide Election for the incumbents!

Olga unseated 8 year council member Gallo! That's the Fact, Jack!!

Yea! Olga!! Good Job - Good Campaign!!

So HAPPY wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:25 PM:SO HAPPY! I AM SO HAPPY OLGA WON A SEAT ON THE COUNCIL. SHE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB AND SHE WILL BE A GREAT COUNCILWOMAN!

CONGRATULATONS, OLGA!

THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY WAS ABLE TO LOOK BEYOND THE COLOR OF ONE'S SKIN AND THE STEREO-TYPING ASSOCIATED WITH

BUT IT APPEARS THAT SOME PEOPLE IN OUR PART OF THE COUNTRY CANNOT GET BEYOND THAT TYPE OF IGNORANCE!

leo wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:26 PM:The firefighters union needs to be put in check.How many more shiny new fire stations do we need?Enough already.Railroading Gallo out for Diaz is horrible for Escondido but she promised them more union members.Those union thugs sold our city out.And now we have more property tax because they keep scaring everybody with fire stories.

five million wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:30 PM:FIVE MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT AND COUNTING...UNDER ABED'S WATCH.

BOO HISS!! NOT A GOOD JOB!!!!

To MVet wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:32 PM:To answer your question, nope. Mr. Dick Daniels was a paid consultant to the Building Industry Association and therefore should have recused himself from all votes on development where the developer was a member of the BIA. He didn't and if he doesn't have to, she doesn't have to.

enough wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:37 PM:The best thing about elections is that they end. So now that it's Nov 5, let's put an end to all the rhetoric and get to work.

Fire Marshall Bill wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:48 PM:Ok Olga, remember, we all get new chrome wheels for our fire trucks!

Abeds Next Move wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:59 PM:Abed's next move:

Fund the hotel with $19 million of taxpayer dollars

and

forget the firefighters (but thanks for the endorsement).

To leo wrote on Nov 5, 2008 9:04 PM:to leo

but, i guess that you approve of the police officers association putting out the scare tactic flyer about Olga.

Double standards.

Gallo lost - he wouldn't have if he had been a better council member.

Gallo was tolerable as a councilmember - but, nothing to brag about.

Abed is intolerable - he is arrogant and a narcissist. I wish he lost his seat instead of Gallo.

John wrote on Nov 5, 2008 9:05 PM:Sadly this city is racist, Olga show this people that you are smart and capable of doing a great job.

Toooooo love the Os wrote on Nov 5, 2008 9:54 PM:Needs to
[-] wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:51 PM:
Abed needs to hold his tongue
----------------------------------

yuckkkk! just the thought makes me *GAG*

that's nasty....

but you got it ALL right Needs to!

::knuckle bump::

A bed show a woman respect....tsk tsk tsk...
YOU ROCK OLGA!!!!!!!!

good times wrote on Nov 5, 2008 10:12 PM:I would have a lot more respect for the fire fighters union if they had put that $50,000 to better use . How about next election just endorse a candidate and buy smoke detecters for the elderly and the poor, mailers with fire safety tips. Same with police union, fund crime prevention programs,etc. Olga please work for the people not public emplovee unions. Both Sam and Olga please remember neither of you were able to get even 30 percent of the vote, hardly an overwhelming mandate.

Abed still wrote on Nov 5, 2008 11:01 PM:Abed is still taking little jabs at Olga. What an arrogant council-man (who barely had more votes than Olga).

While our leaders on the national level have offered their best to our president-elect - even having offered to support in the transition, HERE IN ESCONDIDO:

We have re-elected incumbent, Sam Abed still jabbing at Olga.

No offers of congratulations - no welcome to the council - no let's work together - no job well done. The only thing Abed offers up is an excuse why Olga was elected - he offers HIS excuse - his view - his analysis - his disbelief. THAT IS NOT A LEADER. THAT IS NOT THE ACT OF A PROFESSIONAL. THAT IS NOT THE EXAMPLE OF A GRACIOUS WINNER. But, it is Sam Abed.

dude wrote on Nov 5, 2008 11:33 PM:So after about 2:00am there are about 7-8 cops in the entire city. However, the firemen are complaining cause their 20-30 people are spread out at night. They didn't even cut their staffing they just spread them out. This is crazy.

FYI wrote on Nov 5, 2008 11:37 PM:FYI: While the firefighter's union endorsement and the firefighters themselves did indeed help Olga win her seat on the Council...

there were also many many many friends and volunteers that for many many many months helped with Olga's campaign.

Many people that placed phone calls, worked street fairs, volunteered hours, walked precincts 2, 3 (& sometimes 4 times a week) and many that placed campaign signs throughout the city and in their yards and put stickers on their cars and promoted Olga through various mediums.

But, Most of All: Olga won her seat because SHE WORKED HARD FOR IT!! SHE GAVE IT 110% and SHE DID SO THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN. She connected with the community - connected with people (even those some find less than worthy) - she stuck to her platform - she stuck to her convictions - she was true to herself and true to the community!

OLGA DIAZ WON HER SEAT ON THE COUNCIL - BECAUSE SHE EARNED IT!!

Congratulations, Olga.

Always ASK for More wrote on Nov 6, 2008 1:19 AM:Did I say the fire fighters wanted more money? You only assumed I did, but please read what I posted again.

The city is BROKE, get it, BROKE!!!!

Declining economy, declining tax base and population.

Now is the time to tighten the belts, have a balanced budget and CUT EXPENSES!!!

Fiscal Responsibility wrote on Nov 6, 2008 5:23 AM:Since Olga Diaz, the accountant, owes the firefighters union for her victory, will she bow to their demands to fully staff the new station, even if it means budget cuts in other essential services?

To To Always ASK at 753 am wrote on Nov 6, 2008 5:37 AM:Learn the difference between general funds and redevelopment funds. Redevelopment funds must be spent on redevelopment projects. The City receives over $20 million in redevelopment funds each year. 20% of that must be used on low income housing. The most recent low income housing project is Elder Place. Diverting redevelopment funds for public employee salaries is illegal! You ask, 'WHY THE CITY IS HOT TO GIVE $19 million to a hotel developer'. That is what a redevelopment agency does, if the project shows a projected net return. The real question should be, how does the new hotel eliminate blight in Escondido. It would be better to promote a project on a truly blighted area of the City.

Conservative for Diaz wrote on Nov 6, 2008 5:41 AM:Olga won her seat fairly. Of all the comments I've seen here thus far, no one has mentioned my main motivator for voting for Olga. Abed and Gallo almost lost the PPH deal for Escondido. And then because of their tantrums, delayed construction causing add'l increases to the project. Abed and Gallo seem to think that a hotel is going to help the Center for the Arts, think again. An endowment to help the Center will work. That's why I voted for her.

For those people that seem to think that Olga will somehow be able to singlehandedly allow Escondido to become a haven for illegals, think again. That's not in anyone's best interest.

There are other council members that have a say, too. Additionally, we have the mayor who appears to have the best interest of the city in mind.

To John wrote on Nov 6, 2008 5:49 AM:What race is the City racist against? White, Black, American Indian, Asian, or Pacific Islander? A hint: Hispanic is not a race. Double hint: Olga is white.

Dang this will wrote on Nov 6, 2008 6:38 AM:hurt all firemens street asking contributions:( I won't give!

Karl wrote on Nov 6, 2008 6:40 AM:It's a sad day indeed when municiple employee unions (lord knows how many even live in Escondido) help decide an election. I wonder when the main employees union will get involved. I also wonder how much longer it will be until the City Manager job, Council Seats etc. will be filled by Union Members. It's pretty obvious that they are running the show now. What Council Member would buck them now realizing that they can help decide an election.

Goody now wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:14 AM:Diaz and the Fire Fighters can tell us in Escondido who in the US Governement stole 700 Billion U.S. Tax Payer dollars:)

JOB SECURITY wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:24 AM:Sanctuary city for the illegals. Job security for the firefighters.

Gary in Murrieta wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:37 AM:Escondido still has one big draw for us in Riverside Co.

Escondido has an ice skating rink.

My wife and daughter go there about twice a month. As for me I would not becaught dead there because I drive a 92 Honda Accord. (And I want to keep it).

I do worry about them when I know they are driving in this city.

To JOB SECURITY wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:49 AM:Please Please

They are not Illegals.

They are Latinos.

Didn't you read the story yesterday in the NCT describing the mean spirited legislation?

You can't have it both ways.

MVet wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:52 AM:I read all of the posts before the election of houses burning down in Escondido because the fire department does not have any money.

OK the Election is over. How many houses in Escondido did burn down last year? And I am not talking about the wildfires, but every day normal occurrences.

How many hit and run accidents did we have?

How many people drive here without license and insurance?

I want to know.

leo wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:54 AM:conservative for diaz;BAD MOVE; 1 crack in the dam at a time and eventually the whole thing crumbles.diaz and her firefighter henchmen are bad for escondido,we can move but its too bad its coming to this.

Lookie Here wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:55 AM:The Mayor's proposed budget for the City of San Diego, released yesterday, proposes de-staffing two fire stations on a rotating basis. The Escondido budget kept everybody working. Which city had the union member's best interests at heart?

It may Work Afterall wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:01 AM:The Use of the Word Illegals is not politically correct.

Illegals are now called Latinos, and you cannot voice your concerns, or say anything bad about them because that is "Racist"

Welcome to Mexcondido.

RE: Diaz's victory over Gallo for second place was a significant victory for the city's firefighters union and for residents who contend that Abed and Gallo have damaged the city's reputation with mean-spirited legislation aimed at making Latinos feel unwelcome in Escondido.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/11/05/news/inland/escondido/zc59ad6c9a7889f32882574f800102a2f.txt

To Gary wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:14 AM:Your comment is LAUGHABLE. You must live a very sheltered life if you think Escondido is that bad.

You make Escondido sound like its next to Compton. ...

To It May Work wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:32 AM:It May Work Afterall, and what glorious city do you live in?

To Gary wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:50 AM:RE: You make Escondido sound like it’s next to Compton. ...

Last year I spent an entire day in court in Compton, because someone stole my identity and got traffic tickets in my name. Since I had no appointment (Deploying Military), I had to sit through about 200 traffic cases before me. At least half of the cases were Non-English speaking people who coincidently did not have driver's license. They paid about $400 dollars and then out the door.

I grew up in Torrance and believe me Compton looks more like Escondido now then it ever did before.

A WIN wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:21 AM:for illegal aliens and the slum lords of Escondido! Next time I see a firefighter collecting money in a boot I will pass them by and give to my charity. Because the city couldn't afford to put more firefighters on the Union leash, for their dues, they decide to support Olga. Well Olga looks like you now have to hire people we can't afford. Paybacks are tough!

Speaking of Compton wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:33 AM:Compton, the spiritual home of West Coast gangsta rap, is notorious for its corrupt and dysfunctional black-run government. Still, a lot of people south of the Border have been down so long that even Compton looks like up to them.

By 2001, 59% of Compton's residents, but only 15% of its voters, were Latino. Chicano activists routinely demand that Compton's black elected officials share power with its voteless illegal aliens. But the African-American leadership responds with ringing endorsements of the sanctity of citizenship that would warm the hearts of of even the San Diego Minutemen.

good times wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:48 AM:Hey Gary in Murietta, Have you checked out your cities crime rate? All those EPD cars parked up there don't seem to do much good. By the way EPD car passed me near Rainbow the other day, he had to be doing 90. Must be nice to cut a 30 minute commute in half because you won't get pulled over for speeding in your cop car.

RE Your comment is LAUGHABLE. wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:59 AM:Has anyone been to Compton lately?

The demographics have changed.

Gary In Murrieta wrote on Nov 6, 2008 10:21 AM:Actually do I see a lot of police cars from quite a few different cities on the 15 every day. It is my experience that they actually slow traffic down to 70 or 80 because so many people confuse them with the Highway Patrol.

Gary In Murrieta wrote on Nov 6, 2008 10:24 AM:Also we used to have a guy on our street park his Border Patrol car in his driveway every day. It did not bother the gardeners one bit. Although he did come over to our neighbors house one day and chase away the laborers doing house construction.

Open the Eyes wrote on Nov 6, 2008 10:41 AM:Wow, I've been all through out Escondido, seriously, it is not bad at all!

Been to the gas lamp? Gas lamp makes Escondido look pretty.

Absolutely laughable some peoples perceptions.

Gary in Murrieta wrote on Nov 6, 2008 10:42 AM:I have one last comment.

There used to be an Escondido Fire Dpeaartment SUV that was parked in our neighborhood all the time. I do not know if it is still around as I have been overseas for much of this year.

I'll have to get back to you on that one.

Government and City cars in our neighborhood are quite common. I used to have a Enterprise VanPool. Does that count.

To MVET wrote on Nov 6, 2008 10:53 AM:There is information on the city's website for police and fire statistics. I could only copy 1 and paste it. I don't believe any stats included the wildfires, as the property loss would have been much greater.

http://www.escondido.org/fire/about/statistics/index.html

To good times wrote on Nov 6, 2008 10:59 AM:Twelve years ago we tried to buy a house in Escondido but it was too expensive for us, so we settled on Murrieta. We are still here and yes we did check the crime and traffic and education statistics. We still do.

http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Rankings/default.asp

http://ag.ca.gov/cjsc/datatabs.htm

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/

Neighbor wrote on Nov 6, 2008 11:40 AM:GALLO GONE = WIN FOR ESCONDIDO

esko wrote on Nov 6, 2008 12:03 PM:are you kidding me any los angeles city is uglier than escondido, compton looks like a third world country. but who cares if you dont like it here then leave. im proud to be an escondidian

today wrote on Nov 6, 2008 1:44 PM:The firefighters arent asking for money.. They just want to properly staff the firestations, ambulances and firetrucks to save lives. Why is this so hard to understand? I suppose it will only be an issue if something happens to you and there isnt enough staffing here in Escondido as were having to sub out to San Marcos for help... What is that 10 minutes further??? Can you hold your breath or pound on your heart for an additinal 10 minutes while waiting for an amublance to come from San Marcos to save you? Think some of this through people. SAFETY FIRST.. Stop the HOTEL nonsense and spend the money on taking care of the people of the city and not lining the pockets with this imaginary money based off a statistic that is changing every moment.In the best of times and a community that would have a strong draw of people wanting to come here to see something in an ideal workd then that sounds like a good idea. Are we in that situation as a city right now? NO>> BAD TIME FOR HOTEL.. Recover the Art Center from its losses first. A hotel is not going to automatically bring people into the city. There needs to be something here for them to want to come see or do. I have to agree with Olga. We're not in the hotel business. If Marriot thinks its such a profitable idea, than why dont they just fund it themselves? They did in Lajolla and Encinitas. Also the cost issue.. The cost that the city is paying is considerably more that the actual cost it would be. Where or who is getting some of that additinal money up front? Did we get other competetive bids for this for this?
For now money gone and another waste. Why did the taxpayers get dinked $4 mil to move a water tower BEFORE plans were approved by the city and planning? They could have easily specified "existing location and proposed location" in plan format. Another cart before the horse issue... Paid for by the citizens of Eccondido. Arent we the lucky ones. I guess another park or an olympic size pools for our swim teams would have been too much to buld at $500K that would have already been generating income for Escondido at a rate of 13% or better for different events after paying workers and maintenance. Right now the kids have to use the local mini lap pools and have to travel for competitions to Lajolla, Scripps etc. Very Sad.. Oh yeah..Did I mention, The pools could have been donated. Oh yeah.. Did I mention, the land too!. Or how about another soccer field or cleaning up the ball field. Or a city owned and maintenanced Football field. That 4 mil we spent to move that tower. Sure payed off.. NOT.. We needed change in this city.. Olga, go for it and get things moving if you are having to struggle for the right things because one of the other people, just remember I'll be there in 2 years trying to replace you know who. Good luck and remember some people wont like everything you say but as long as we focus on whats right ethically,morally and along with the majority, its always the right thing.
D

RE Today wrote on Nov 6, 2008 2:13 PM:Thank You!

No to Membership wrote on Nov 6, 2008 2:16 PM:The fire fighters union only gets paid when.... wait for it.... wait for it..... when they have membership.

The same amount of area is still being covered by the same number of people.

Anyone wrote on Nov 6, 2008 2:36 PM:venture a guess as to how many members there are in the 'fire Union"? And how many live in the city?

to to always ask wrote on Nov 6, 2008 2:50 PM:Who's going to pay the "staff"?

Most fire people are like welfare recipients. They live off the taxpayers and think they're heroes. For what, doing the job they ASKED for?

Maybe they should stop wasting what they have and ruining the things they are given...like the rest of us have to do, before whining about not having something!

to EFD wrote on Nov 6, 2008 3:03 PM:thanks for saving our town one more time; I'm sure that the people that arewhyning so much won't use 911 again and will refuse your services from now on.
we love you EFD

June Rady wrote on Nov 6, 2008 3:06 PM:Olga Diaz will be the next June Rady

to no to membership wrote on Nov 6, 2008 3:44 PM:WRONG!!! We are subcontracting to San Marcos quite a bit for emergencies because we dont have enough to cover the area as it is mapped out. Perhaps you not aware as to how many emergencies happen in this town. Also its not only EFD but paramedics as well.

Punt Return wrote on Nov 6, 2008 4:15 PM:It's like a football game...the only thing that matters is who puts a check in the win column.

And Olga gets the check mark in the WIN column! Good Job Olga!!

p.s. Bet you dollars that 99.9% of these people will never show up to one single council meeting. It will be indicative of their "true" concern for our city. Bet ya.

Re to to always ask wrote on Nov 6, 2008 4:48 PM:I have been a firefighter and have never, ever, ever heard them talk about how they are heros. That is a tag put on them by others. I don't view myself as a hero. The word hero should be reserved for our military personnel past and present. As far as the comment about sub contracting to San Marcos, it's a half truth. The city has already dropped the ambulance and San Marcos paramedics HAVE been called to run 911 calls in Escondido. So, if you call 911 and a San Marcos ambulance comes to your door please be nice to them.

To Nov 6th 537am wrote on Nov 6, 2008 5:04 PM:You are mistaken.

First, the city does get X amount of funds each year specifically for Redevelopment - the city is required by law to put in (I believe) 15% (or maybe it is 20%) into low-income redevelopment (the CDBG, the Community Downtown Block Grant) - regardless - a new hotel is not "redevelopment".

Secondly, the money for the hotel is in the: "Economic Development Incentive Fund" - not the "Redevelopment Fund" (as you stated). I KNOW because I asked Mayor Pfeiler!!

Third, apparently you need to learn where the money is and where it is going and the difference between "Redevelopment" and "Economic Development Incentive Fund". One of the reasons the hotel is considered under the EDIF is because the hotel will provide employment opportunities (granted the majority of the opportunities will be low-income jobs - nothing like spending $19 million to create 100 or so low-paying jobs - so much for increasing the median income or providing high-tech jobs - this apparently is the best the council could do to provide more jobs and economic incentive for/in the community).

Fourth, the money that goes into the Economic Development Incentive Fund is from many different revenue sources such as building revenues (FYI: In 2005, the city even took $2.2 million from the reserves and put it into the EDIF).

The city council created this EDI fund just a few years ago - I know because the city said so. This fund is not required to be in place - the city has elected to build this fund.

Fifth, the City Council needs to be direct with the people and explain to us why they are "HOT" to build a hotel with money that could be used to help cushion the PROJECTED drop in revenues (during this economic recession near depression).

Unfortunately, the hope that the hotel will help the arts center and bring more business/money into Escondido is not going to cut it with the people. Escondido cannot afford to gamble with sooo much money on something that MIGHT pay off sometime someday when the hotel reaches 65% capacity (it is fiscally irresponsible to take such a gamble in our current economic situation and with the city's current $5million dollar deficit).

It would be a mistake and a disgrace for our council to fund a hotel while failing to fund for firefighters. It is possible - the council just needs to DO IT!!!

p.s The TAxpayers are paying for the new firestations - not the council - the people approved Prop P - not the council. Alls the council needed to do was to make sure there was funding available for the new firefighters. But, our council majority (who is NO MORE) had other plans over the last few years - and that plan has cost the city alot of money and alot of time and resources.

Oh yea. It would be interesting to know if the city has 15% of the general fund in the Economic Reserve Fund - city policy requires the city to have 15% of its general fund in reserves for emergency situations (i.e. General Operating Budget is $80million - reserve fund should be about $12million). I believe the city's reserves have fallen below the required 15%. Another interesting fiscal accountability question.

So...you were saying....

Double Standard wrote on Nov 6, 2008 6:20 PM:I want to know, since Olga is attacking the PD's vehicle benefit (because she wants to aggressively address the finances) is she still going to take her annual salary as a council member and dip into that hefty monthly "vehicle allowance" that council members get??

I'd like to hear that one addressed. You own a business, and your husband is overpaid, are you going to attack the benefits of city employees and take money away from their families while you pay yourself too? Answer me that. Or do double standards go into effect on 11/5 ?

Escondeeter wrote on Nov 6, 2008 6:20 PM:"No To Membership" is correct. At the moment the same area is being covered by the same number of personnel. The reassignments proposed in the 08-09 budget will leave total staffing and the total number of personnel unchanged.

What some seem to think is 'contracting out' is the normal operation of the mutual aid system. San Marcos comes over here when we're experiencing high volumes, we respond over there when they are busy. We also respond into San Marcos when we're closer than they are. On balance, the usage is the same, we help them and they help us.

Once the reassignment is completed, Escondido's part time non-emergency ambulance will be (at least temporarily) retired. The full time non-emergency ambulance, on the other hand, will become a full paramedic ambulance. Between the addition of a paramedic ambulance in an area that didn't have one, and the elimination of those situations where the non-emergency ambulance got dispatched then had to be replaced with a paramedic ambulance resulting in a delayed response, overall service will be improved.

Every ambulance in the city will now be able to handle any call, and the paramedics on the engine companies, who actually handle the vast majority of patient care will retain exactly the same staffing they currently have.

As far as "no to membership" goes, I'm somewhat surprised that the fire personnel who are embarassed by their union's leadership's political activities, haven't discovered "core membership" yet.

Esco-Mo wrote on Nov 6, 2008 6:40 PM:Thanks to the poster at 10/6 at 5:04 Great explanation of where the 19 million is coming from. C.W. Clark could not meet their "deadline". Please Escondido get out of the hotel deal now.

In Other Escondido News wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:01 PM:Police busted an Escondido woman who was selling methamphetamine out of her house yesterday. They confiscated over a quarter pound, and not only is the woman in jail, but there is an immigration hold on her.

Good Job Escondido Police

Source: San Diego news 6

Karl wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:30 PM:Punt Return
[-] wrote on Nov 6, 2008 4:15 PM:

This conservative Ed Gallo supporter has been going to Council Meetings since
the late 70's when City Hall was on the northeast corner of Valley Parkway and Frand. I have also been the chairman of a voluntary commission since 1992. I know quite a few just like me. Kinda' shoots your theory down doesn't it?

Where would you like to meet to render me some "dollars"?

Skip wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:08 PM:RE: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called today for a temporary 1.5-cent increase in the state sales tax to help close an $11.2 billion deficit in the state budget, as well as new taxes on liquor and oil production.

Schwarzenegger also proposed one-day-a-month unpaid furloughs for state workers for the next 17 months, as well as rescinding two of the workers' 13 paid holidays

>>>>

We need to fire this Governor, and replace him with Mayor Antonio Villaragosa.

Do I hear a second on the motion?

MVet wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:39 PM:RE: head-on crash Tuesday on North Center City Parkway


I know this may sound cold to some, But the first question I must ask is did both drivers have a driver's license and insurance. And then go from there. The numbers don't lie.

WHERE DO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS STAND ON TRAFFIC SAFETY?

Office of Traffic Safety California

http://www.ots.ca.gov/

Read the Comments Please wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:59 PM:http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/11/06/news/inland/escondido/zfa08445497b1012e882574f800590cdd.txt

To Karl wrote on Nov 7, 2008 12:06 AM:That's Hilarious!!!

You must not go to them very often!!

I know someone that goes to everyone and has done so for years.

Also, if I'm not at the meetings, then I am watching them on TV and I'm not seeing any familiar faces in the audience.

So, you may go to them occassionally, but I don't think you are THAT involved.

As far as rendering you any "dolla bills", I wouldn't hold my breath...it was meant more so for the majority of folks that will never go to a single council meeting, yet find the time to constantly B-I-T-C...you know the rest. I guess you just "happen" to be in the .01% column. But, I'm not sure if being a council member counts. Wink.

Joke wrote on Nov 7, 2008 5:47 AM:The firefighters union is a JOKE! Talk about a bunch of overpaid, sit-on-their-butt cry babies.

To Joke wrote on Nov 8, 2008 12:12 AM:Your "name" suits you.

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Nov 8, 2008 11:25 PM:"The message we had was that the safety of firefighters and the public is never negotiable," Mike Diaz
________________________________
That says it all folks!
Be very glad we have Mike Diaz leading these Firefighters who protect us all.

Cotton Ballz wrote on Nov 8, 2008 11:46 PM:to Joke
You have no clue..what ...you think if they arent putting out a fire 24hours a day they are sitting around watching Springer?
Go visit a fire house.....get a clue.
While your at it....do a threee day shift...away from your wife & family,your lazyboy,remote control & your beer.