As we all know, these are difficult times for our city and for our county. Community needs far exceed resources. Fortunately, there are dedicated people willing to step up and help lead us through this maze. Some of their names are on the June ballot.
One name on that ballot, however, concerns me.
When Bob Elliott was running for Tracy City Council less than two years ago, he spoke loudly of his concern for Tracy, about the problems he saw, and of his dedication to help solve them. Now, not even half-way into his first term, he is running for a higher office. If he gets it, Tracy will be burdened with the monetary and operational costs of filling his quickly vacated seat.
How fair is that to the citizens who believed his earlier rhetoric and rewarded it with their votes? How fair is it to the other qualified candidates who would have honored the full term of their election? Even worse, how fair is it to voters if the City Council now picks their choice of a new council member, rather than allowing the voters to decide?
And what will happen if Mr. Elliott wins this new office? Will he quickly abandon it, too, in favor of an even higher state or national office? Are we just stepping stones along Mr. Elliott’s political path?
We cannot afford to play musical chairs with elected office. We need to vote for and elect candidates we believe can do the job, and who we believe will stick around long enough to do it.
I worry about Mr. Elliott’s true objectives in running for county supervisor, and the expense his political aspirations will cost taxpayers if he once again quickly vacates that seat for a better one.
Shouldn’t Mr. Elliott feel some obligation to finish at least one full term in office before moving on? Doesn’t he owe that to the voters who chose him over other candidates?
• Editor’s note: Bob Young is not related to Nancy Young, a current candidate for Tracy City Council.
It seems as though Mr. Elliott is supported by a special interest group - developers. When developers control a political process the public ends up subsidizing their developments one way or another. Most often infrastructure costs are not fully recovered when development occurs. In some cases fees are waived or taxes forgiven. That's not the direction we should go.
Ms. Ransom is a union candidate. Public pensions have just about bankrupted the State and, thanks to our high cost of public safety pensions, Tracy has reduced other services and we're paying an extra 1/2 cent in sales tax. Unions don't need another vote on the BOS.
Mr. Benigo seems to be genuine and a very nice guy. However, he supports a water project that would further damage Northern California. His public statements haven't inspired confidence in his ability to critically and effectively oversee county government.
Whether he's a better choice than his competitors in the race is an open question based on their relative traits. That he is currently serving on a city council should be a positive, IMO, if he has served well. The stepping stone argument reeks of resentment over someone's success.
Local governments no longer struggle with budgets, the State is now able to fund any and all give-away programs it desires while the Fed sees to it that unemployment continues its downward trend to below 2%...
Smoking the same scat as Obama changes nothing... We have pee'd away our future, fiscal sanity is on holiday, there is nothing left for a rainy day, we have huge future obligations with no funds to pay for them and jobs prospects keep diminishing as more people leave the labor force forcing an increasingly larger burden on those still employed.
"He has voted to raise solid waste disposal rates by 30% along with other fee increases."
Your statement implies it would be better to short the rates. Why do the current recipients want to saddle someone else with services they use ?
Please provide the crime stats you refer to.
"I give him a C- and a job unfinished."
Is there a point you see the job as "finished" ?
I'll vote for Elliot.
"One name on that ballot, however, concerns me..."
Mr. Elliot running for Supervisor gives you pause for concern yet, Ms. Ransome, should she win, will need to step down from her position on the City's Planning Commission.
or, Mr. Benigo's comments at the Candidate' Night Forum causes you not the least concern nor raises any alarm on your part.
Should he (Mr. Elliot) emulate Mr. Richard Pombo's path, Congressman Pombo ran after having been on the Council for two years.
"Shouldn’t Mr. Elliott feel some obligation to finish at least one full term in office before moving on? Doesn’t he owe that to the voters who chose him over other candidates?"
Clearly, you did not vote for Mr. Elliot and wish to undercut the man. While I complemented Ms. Ransome for her performance at the event, Mr. Elliot's service is what is needed today for the 5th District Supervisior's office.
Mr. Benigno, while we do not see eye-to-eye on any issue, I wish to note that upon leaving the event, I observed you opening your wife's door and commend you for the courtesy.
Dale Cose
While I complemented Ms. Ransome for her performance at the event, Mr. Elliot's service is what is needed today for the 5th District Supervisior's office.
Dale,
I assume you felt that Ms. Ransome did a better job at the debate than Mr. Elliot?
An incorrect assumption. I complimented her on her speaking, not her views. She failed to identify and speak to her Union backing.
If someone does well it is unreasonable to offer a compliment on that subject ?
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May 06, 2012
An incorrect assumption. I complimented her on her speaking, not her views. She failed to identify and speak to her Union backing.
If someone does well it is unreasonable to offer a compliment on that subject ?
NO, that's fair enough Mr.Cose.
Cherry Coke
I hate to disappoint you Cherry (Frances) I am not your friend Bob Blinker. When I post I identify myself.
Bob Sarvey
That's a negative campaign. Robert Elliott is not running a negative campaign. I am supporting Robert Elliott.
He did make the claim during the 2012 City Council Forum that he was committed to spending a full term on the Tracy Council. I believe someone asked him specifically if he was going to use his position as a City Councilman as a stepping stone to the County Supervisor's Office. To which he responded; "I plan to serve four years on the Tracy City Council."
I'm not supporting any candidate I just think when someone makes a statement like that they should stand behind it.
At th time Bob made his statement that was his plan. Plans change over time don't they? Ya never planned ta do one thang an then changed yer plans ta do somethang else? Now if he had said, "I promise," I might listen ta yer complaint here but he didn't he said, "I plan." Thair is a world of difference between I plan an I promise.
What will we do? We'll take care of business and fill the vacancy using the procedures established for these types of things. This is not an issue of fairness. Some may disagree with me on that but again, so be it.
I'm already sick of politics and we have a whole summer to look forward to. The only thing my crystal ball tells me is that promises will be made and they will - for the most part - not be kept.
BM