City Council and Other News Update
With all the news happening on just one corner of De la Guerra Plaza in the last few weeks, we've been neglecting a few things that have been going on at City Hall and around town.
I'll break these out into separate posts if there is considerable interest in one subject versus the others....
- Police Contract Negotiations have stalled. Why has there not been leadership from any council members in this area on behalf of the Police Officers Association? They must be upset after all the money they spent on the last election...recent news of a robo-call campaign indicate the lengths the POA will go to in fighting their cause. What are the odds that Travis won't write about this once he is back in the editorial office? Pretty high....
- North La Cumbre Road Condos:Council voted 4-1
for anto deny appeal for a "revitalization" 9-condo project on the northside. Opponents say the project is contrary to the General Plan. - Bob Noel Runs for Re-Election: will this cantakerous school board member ever step down? No wonder Lynn Rodrogiuez decided not to run again.
I'll break these out into separate posts if there is considerable interest in one subject versus the others....
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 7/26/2006 09:00:00 AM
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12 Comments:
Nothing has been neglected. The police negotiations, the La Cumbre Road condos and Bob Noel all go back to the quality of the facts we are getting from the News-Press. Sad but true, they already seem to be deteriorating. I had to go find a Daily Sound this morning to get the address of the North La Cumbre Road Condo project and to find out who owned the project. Who will be covering the town hall meeting tonight? Will it be on cable?
I hope Bob Noel never steps down. He's the only school board member with any integrity, intelligence and sense of fiscal responsibility.
Here's where I see the bias (once again). Bob Noel is characterized as "cantakerous". This, of course, carries with it a negative connotation. From my perspective, Bob Noel has been a champion of the tax dollar, a passionate watch-dog willing to ensure transparency in goverment, and a dedicated public servant who brings real meaning to the word TRUSTEE. Yet he starts off in this post as the bad guy. Why?
The more the Police union stalls, the later the City will have to give them any raise. City has little to gain by pushing this forward as the robocalls continue to the annoyance of everyone.
That is 85 N. La Cumbre Rd. condos. One wonders how long the city Council will talk and talk and talk about the problem with gentrifiction when they have an opportunity to stop an egregious for very sound reasons, that the proposed project contradicts the existing General Plan and Housing Element etc., all as articulated in the appeal. Policy could have been made right there with a very clear message to stop gentification as a moratorium until all the talking figures out how to deal with it a few years from now. And we know it will take a few years while po' folks get tossed out.
Bob Noel... who cares? Just vote NO to Noel!!!!
I'm not sure to what purpose you need to point out bias Bill -- I never said I wasn't and this isn't a public broadcasting station, a non-profit or even a newspaper :)
She started off her post with two other items -- cantankerous??? Have you ever seen him in a meeting? Does he work and play well with others? Not really. It's my opinion and you are welcome to have yours....that's why most comments that aren't mean and vindictive get published. I love the fact that you think otherwise and are able to say so! Far from biased -- God Bless America!
Sara,take a mint.
I'm just trying to point out that you show an unpleasant bias when you allow disparaging remarks for some, and not for others.
Just the other day you had a problem when one blogger called Jennifer Mcgovern a "puppet", yet you yourself start off a post by calling Noel "cantakerous". I'm not sure I'd like to be called either...but that's my point. You could benefit from a little consistency.
And, yes, yes, I know it's your blog. But, hey, half the fun is discussing how you run the blog, not just the issues in it.
At the risk of not being controversial enough for a blog, I have to say that I like both Lynn Rodriquez and Bob Noel. I have known Lynn for many years and have always respected her quick and keen intelligence, her dry wit, her social conscience (which is truly a true-north compass), and her dedication to civic engagement.
I like Bob Noel for different reasons. Even when he was my professor at UCSB, he did not suffer fools lightly. I worked very hard to meet his standards for academic inquiry and carefully constructed argument. He not only helped me to learn how to write clearly but also how to think clearly as well. I truly appreciate how much time he has dedicated to ananlyzing data and communicating his conclusions to the community. Is he at times little more blunt than is necessary to make a point? Sure. But I have learned that when I am offended by bluntness, I usually deserved the criticism, but just wish it were delivered a little more gently.
I am sorry to see that Lynn has decided to bow out. She is doing a great job under difficult circumstances. She deserves to be commended for her service. I'm also glad that Bob is going to stay in there. I do not believe that I would have that kind of fortitude.
Mike Pinto says..
SBPD are like modern day storm troopers. They still routinely stomp on the rights of non-native born working americans. Pay increases should not even be discussed until their behavior is modified and adjusted to protect all and not just the rich and anglo.
Sara,
It look as though you have the facts wrong. You said that the City Council "4-1 for an appeal", when in fact they voted AGAINST it.
1:30 PM -- you are right, they voted to deny an appeal which meant they were for the project. I fixed it -- even though that is kind of a brain twister :)
Mike Pinto says...
Non NATIVE BORN WORKING AMERICANS ARE THE ONES WHO PUT THE FOOD ON YOUR TABLE OF GLUTTONY.
I suppose Bob Noel "doesn't play well with others" in the same way that Rosa Parks didn't. She, too, was criticized for rocking the boat.
Sometimes leadership means you have to lead and not follow. This Bob has done, meeting after meeting: civilly, honestly, professionally and always with a mind toward putting our children first.
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