Falcone to receive endorsement of City & County Public Safety Organizations for Mayoral Bid
From Falcone's campaign...the only proviso I would add is that the Deputy Sheriff's Association will usually follow the lead of the SBPOA; and the County Firefighters will usually follow the lead of the City association without much question. Perhaps it is is not so surprising she got all four as supporters (considering her record of staunch support) as it is how early it is in the campaign. Definitely a a good media day for Council Member Falcone tomorrow.
What I hope gets answered during the campaign is what Council Member Falcone's plans are for law enforcement....stimulus monies and long-awaited COPS funding is finally coming through and should translate to more officers on the streets. This is a good thing. Still, will she promise not to cut other services in putting more officers on the street?
That being said -- congrats to some good endorsements! --Sara
Representatives of Santa Barbara City and County law enforcement and firefighting agencies will join Santa Barbara City Councilmember Iya Falcone in an unprecedented show of support for her mayoral campaign at 10:00am Monday....
The Santa Barbara Police Officers Association, Santa Barbara City Firefighters for Better Government, Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Santa Barbara County Firefighters Association are all endorsing Falcone, based on her long record of support for issues important to local public safety professionals. No Santa Barbara mayoral candidate in recent memory has earned the endorsements of all four agencies.
“As mayor I promise to use my proven leadership to continue to prioritize public safety” Falcone said. “Public safety is the foundation for maintaining a prosperous and vibrant community, and I am truly honored to have the support of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to strengthening that foundation.”
What I hope gets answered during the campaign is what Council Member Falcone's plans are for law enforcement....stimulus monies and long-awaited COPS funding is finally coming through and should translate to more officers on the streets. This is a good thing. Still, will she promise not to cut other services in putting more officers on the street?
That being said -- congrats to some good endorsements! --Sara
Representatives of Santa Barbara City and County law enforcement and firefighting agencies will join Santa Barbara City Councilmember Iya Falcone in an unprecedented show of support for her mayoral campaign at 10:00am Monday....
The Santa Barbara Police Officers Association, Santa Barbara City Firefighters for Better Government, Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Santa Barbara County Firefighters Association are all endorsing Falcone, based on her long record of support for issues important to local public safety professionals. No Santa Barbara mayoral candidate in recent memory has earned the endorsements of all four agencies.
“As mayor I promise to use my proven leadership to continue to prioritize public safety” Falcone said. “Public safety is the foundation for maintaining a prosperous and vibrant community, and I am truly honored to have the support of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to strengthening that foundation.”
Labels: Iya Falcone, Mayoral Race 09
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 3/08/2009 06:32:00 PM
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26 Comments:
Must have been a typo.
Should have been "proven pandering" to be correct here.
Doncha just feel safer now?
Why does Iya keep reminding me of Dick Cheney?
They owe this one to Vince. And we owe the public to expose these are not our friends. Folks, these are the very same unions that have there hands in our pockets.
Practice just saying no to them. It hurts a bit, I know. The policeman is our friend and all that. But these are not the cops on the beat, they are the union bosses who pick our pockets daily, yearly and forever.
We can't keep putting union beholden candidates on the same council that negotiates their salaries. They are being selfish in their goals. They are not picking the best law and order candidate. You be selfish too.
Tell them to fight crime first; then fight for their paychecks getting bigger and bigger; their days off more frequent and their retirement age drop to 2 weeks after they get hired.
Now shall we all sit back and watch the howls. Remember these people are paid to to the jobs they are choosing. Paid like you pay for anything.
They do not do anything other than their job for which they were hired. They are not volunteers. They have plenty of benefits and enjoy the occupation choice they have made. Police arrest crooks.
Firemen fight fires. District attorneys try cases. This is not rocket science or public service. It is a job that is just as important as your own job. No more, no less. And each is paid accordingly.
They have no special privilege to hostage you with guilt any more that your own important position allows you to play the guilt card to get more money. But watch Iya spin this one beyond recognition. Take notes and keep score.
Do not feel guilty if you say no to more of their demands. Your safety is not in peril because in today's economy the job applicants for any of these position form a line that stretches to Ventura County.
Perhaps "No Santa Barbara mayoral candidate in recent memory has earned the endorsements of all four agencies" is because no Santa Barbara Mayoral candidate ever has thought that a labor union representing COUNTY EMPLOYEES was relevant or welcome in a city election?
Just why would city residents feel warm and fuzzy about the Deputy Sheriff's Association as if that group has the respect of city voters?
What will Travis do now? He really dislikes public employee union backed candidates (Iya), and he really has no use for Helene. Guess he will put his money on Cushman, until the Black Swan sails in to view. This is going to be a very interesting race.
Wow---let's just sit back and let the nasty comments pour in----good to get a glimpse of the "spin" that Iya's opponent has decided to employ----throw the "R" word around, denigrate Sheriffs-------it is a losing tactic folks
all the "wizards" sitting behind the black curtains posting their negative comments should at least be required by their candidate to do some homework---why would city residents [value] the Sheriff's association endorsement? Gee, let's see---in the past two major fires, Sheriff and City Police have to work closely together for evacuations, regional emergency planning, EOC coverage---in those venues each "side" sees the value of the leadership of their counterparts elected officials--or the lack of such. The regional Gang Task Forces are in constant contact--or do you think gang members respect jurisdictional boundaries? those are just two examples of how and why the endorsement of all law enforcement agencies in this region is so valuable.
Incredible, it is only early March, almost 8 months to the election. We've got another election in May --- wow, the endless election cycle.
I think it is quite shocking that all these public employee unions have come out for Falcone even before she announces her positions, even before she votes in May or June on the City Council for the police contracts/issues. At least there should be the appearance of public servant impartiality!!!
It's a new twist on local politics and VERY unfortunate. I quite like Iya, am interested in what she has to say, but no way, a cold day in the proverbial hell, before I'll vote for a candidate who is so much in the pocket of these or any public employee union.
We need a fresh face on the council, a fresh candidate --- and it is NOT never-seen-a-development-he-didn't-like Cushman! Surely, in this city of 90,000 there is someone not indebted to one group or another, a citizen out of seeming nowhere willing and able to represent the people?!
It should be more interesting than expected. Glad to see Steve Cushman enter the race. At least there's a choice of someone a bit more down to earth that understands what the business community is struggling with.
Actually they are the cop on the beat and the firefighter on the engine. They do not have professional union officials in either group locally. But that doesn't matter does it? What is startling is how quickly the ramping up of the ugly rhetoric has been. Looks like 2005 all over again Sara. Really ugly and unfortunate.
Hope you are not calling the Black Swan the "R" word. It is recent and talked about book, and it refers to the totally unexpected showing up while most are wringing their hands over the expected.
Read it before you scream racist at the mere mention of a perfectly respectable color and concept. Indeed with over PC attitudes like that, it will be a very interesting race.
Oooppps, I used the other "r" word --- race. Riff on that one too while you lather up. Don't be a coward now.
Iya reminds you of Cheney
Helene reminds me of Cynthia McKinney
Its all in the eye of the beholder
Just how meaningful are these public employee labor union endorsements supposed to be if the other candidates for mayor are not even interviewed and no endorsement vote is even offered to the members of these public employee labor unions?
Police & Fire are an important part of our community. They do not decide elections - voters decide elections.
Voters will weigh the choices, one of the factors they may choose to consider is the position of the police and fire fighters. The value of democracy is that they may choose to look to other endorsements, the candidates positions on one or more issues, or choose not to vote at all.
"We are proud to endorse Iya Falcone's candidacy for mayor," said police Sgt. Charles McChesney, representing the Santa Barbara Police Officers Association. "In her years in service on the City Council, she has always been the leader in giving us the tools that we need to do our job and help keep this city safe."
"Tools?"
Who is the real tool here?
Let's be careful with the quadriped fecal references :)
At least you are being creative -- let's make sure to keep it civil.
Thanks.
Why was that cop wearing his uniform while at this political rally?
It was really obvious in the TV news piece tonight on channel 3.
The city is not proposing to cut any police officer jobs. Why does Iya make up a fake conflict like that and then pretend to fix it?
What a disgusting fear mongering display by Mrs. Falcone.
Help us Obi-Wan Cushmanni, you're our only hope.
You know how important these endorsements are when all these hysterical attempt to devalue them are thrown around. If the cops and firefighters are smart they won't reply and all this goes away. You can't sustain a campaign with blogger garbage. By the way a cop wearing a POA uniform is no more disengenuos than Marty and Roger wearing suits pretending that they are business people.
I love Iya.
Helene is sweet too...but she's not ready.
We need grown ups in office right now, that's why Das shouldn't run for Assembly.
You don't send a boy to do a mans job!
Don't kid yourself that police and fire officers "associations" are not the equivalent of public employee unions. They donate large amounts of money and they provide hours of volunteer time.
And in return they expect friendly support when it comes time to negotiate their contracts. Their contracts are already very friendly, to them but not the tax payers.
End special interests owning the political process. This is your chance. Don't be misled by these "associations". But do see the direct assocition between their candidate support and your pocket books.
Rule number one: do not vote for any candidate with any public union/association endorsement. Ergo: do not vote for Iya Falcone. Simple as that.
She blew it pretty early in the game. We are fed up with this all too cozy arrangement with city employees and city council. Wasn't she listening? Guess not.
Hole your nose and stick out your tongue is Iya does any song and dance about the support of our brave men and women on the front lines of crime and disaster.
Stick it to her because the disaster is our debt ridden city budget. Listen to her song and dance about that because that is issue number one. And the same goes for any other mayor candidate.
This does clear the field early though. No major union endorsements to fight over or split the union votes. This way with Iya eliminated so early in the game with her concentrated city (and county!) employee union support, it will be an open playing field for the rest of the candidates.
This is good news. They won't have to pander to the unions and we can talk about the real issues.
BTW, the next shoe to drop. Where will SEIU spend its ( aka your taxpayer) money this year. Or is the game plan for SEIU to endorse Helene as they try to make it look like a two person race when in fact it is pro-union all the way.
Just say no to this union chicanery. Say NO loud and let them finally hear the message. The city council is no longer for sale.
It is totally against guidelines for a police or fire officer to wear a uniform when not on duty and especially when he/she is endorsing a political candidate that has power over his/her salaries. This guy needs to be reported and censured. This is an outrage.
Chief Sanchez, do something because this is an extreme violation of the political process and need for neutrality.
Will the police or fire not come if there is no Iya Falcone campaign sign on the front lawn? Will they let a house burn if it has a Cushman or Schneider sign? Creepy thought, isn't it?
That is exactly why this guy should be horn-swaggled ASAP. Travis, get cracking on this. Outrageous betrayal of public trust.
Many Fire and Police Unions purchase their own uniforms to photo ops and press releases. That is perfectly legal and above board.
Many Fire and Police Unions purchase their own uniforms to photo ops and press releases. That is perfectly legal and above board.
======
Legal, yes. Above board, not so much.
Shoreline, this was not a "photo op or press release" for this person in any official capacity. It was a political endorsement rally. Totally taboo to wear a uniform at such an event, particularly when featured in clear support of the candidate.
Ms Falcone has an affirmative duty as an elected official with oversight of the police department to report this infraction.
Did she? Apparently she did not even know this was a violation. This sort of departmental coziness is what has to stop.
just to be clear -- it wasn't a uniform, it was a fake one.
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