They force candidates to focus on what matters to the electorate. They force voters to consider policy history, the trajectory of their government and the mettle of their politicians. They force incumbents to earn their seats, rather than skate by on name recognition or pass the baton to an heir apparent.
And that’s why it’s time for someone to challenge Brent Ives for Tracy’s mayoral seat in the 2012 election.
It is not that Ives is an unworthy candidate or mayor. He has deep knowledge of Tracy, its issues and its people, and he’s helped direct the city’s focus toward economic development after years of residential expansion.
It is simply that democracy is best served when candidates compete in a marketplace of ideas and are made to stand by their records. If Ives serves one last mayoral term — he would be termed out after 2014 — we’d like to see him earn it.
Papers can’t be pulled from the city clerk’s office until July. But a candidate will need to step up soon to effectively challenge a man who has been immersed in Tracy politics for more than two decades.
Ives has been part of city government on some level since 1987, when he first sat on the parks and recreation commission. He became a planning commissioner, then was appointed to the City Council in 1992 before winning several elected terms, and has been chosen mayor three times, starting in 2006.
Indeed, he has never lost a Tracy election, even to formidable opponents. This go-around, two men often thought of as potential mayors-in-waiting, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Maciel and Councilman Steve Abercrombie, have already decided not to face off against Ives.
But that is precisely why someone with serious ideas needs to mount a candidacy. Too often the ascendency of Tracy’s mayors has seemed a fiat accompli. Instead of waiting for an “easier” campaign season, we’d like to see someone charge into the breach.
Looks like this story has taken a wrong turn, from challenging people presently holding office to Serpas Redbridge Developement. What's up?
My recollection of the Mayoral debates last time around was that more "executive housing" was the main component of Mayor Ives plan for economic development.
Curious. What is an "executive home"? Have you ever seen one?
In the past five years Tracy Press never could prove this so called Illumanidi theory (otherwise known as the good ol boy club). They even allowed tommybahama to run jan out of town. Do I trust the Tracy Press or believe much of what they say, after they tried to sue the city and lost? Obvoiusly I believe in taking what they write with a grain of salt. They may have a wish list as long as Santa's, but do they really report what is good for our community?
And a year ago we had an election with 12 new faces. One of these said she could work with the gangbangers.
Ok.
I honestly dont feel the Tracy Press does a good job for our community. Why would you get involved in lawsuits that chase away jobs?
And why is it they cant explain their way out of a paperbag without using tommybahama or some conspiracy theory about the Illuminadi/good-boys.
Change for the sake of change.
Typical Tracy Press, if you ask me.
If you read the letter by the Tracy Press, on Thanksgiving, they said they were "thankful" for people who read their articles and offer constructive criticism.
Besides, dont you have more Jan bashing to get back to?
Ya wrote, "No one asked you photon."
If we go by that standard then ya just might wanna apply it ta yerself because in th majority of yer posts, no one asked ya.
You can express your thoughts here as much as you want. That's the nice thing about the TP.
I knew you were kidding. The Tracy Press has never, to the best of my knowledge, been upset with my constructive commentary. Its not a personal attack the Tracy Press is an organization of collective thinkers, who I think are too far politically liberal. Remember didnt they support a local candidate even when she stood under a Blue political booth (and probably should have known better)?
Its your community too. You should pay better attention.
A joke (kidding) is only a joke when all parties hearing it know that it's a joke. It's one reason why emocons were invented fer th typed word. :)
Then, at least, thair is an attempt ta convey th message that yer "kidding" an not serious.
Glad ya came back ta say ya were kiddin though. I can respect that.
Sounds outlandish doesn't it? I wish I could say that it is. A few months ago they sent a letter to all the residents in Tracy exclaiming how excited they were to have adopted a sustainable development plan for the city. Please do your research folks. This is one of the most unconstitutional, down right scary things the city government could have ever done.
The city budget is out of balance;
We still have not gotten our swim center, like he's been promising for the past 10 years;
Downtown is losing businesses at record pace;
Gangs are doing random drive by shootings in our neighborhoods;
He's gotten us sued by Connelly "again"........
Need I continue?
"He's gotten us sued by Connelly "again"........"
tommybahama,
You're going to have to explain that one. My children have lived here a long time. Didn't TRAQC sue attempt to shutdown every attempt at a water park in Tracy, and some other parks too?
I wonder if you know about a lawsuit at the Carnegie dirt racing park on Corral Hollow road and who was behind that one?
Follow the money.
The present city council is made of the "good ole boys"
We as a city need to demonstrate diversity and not just a bunch of law and military people making the decisions of this town.
My friend Rhodesia Ransome would be an excellent candidate to challenge Mayor Ives.
Her resume speaks for itself.
Bring it on Baby!
Not that Ives is a bad mayor, but he really hasn't done anything, as he said he would, to improve Tracy, at least none that I can see.
The Ellis Development was completely messed up, Tracy has yet to get it's Swim Center as he's been promising for at least 10 years...
He did help bring Macy's to Tracy but it's just a shadow of what a regular Macy's is and from what I've read isn't doing as well as promised. But that's just my opinion.