Magical Minute: Heads Up City Attorney

Like scratching and itch that had been just out of reach, the new Deputy Mayor Lisa Shaffer seized on a future agenda request that felt perfectly timely satisfying to this person watching.  It is time to assess the legal contracts within the City of Encinitas.

Boy Howdy! This is well overdue. Let the bright lights of open government shine on all of the legal services and effectiveness of these very highly paid services in house and outside. Glenn Sabine, not shown on camera, was said to have looked livid with eyes flashing and he began rocking back in his chair.  This is quite a different look from the face devoid of feeling, his regular demeanor.

Related News Update: Calaware has an article on government attorney billings being public.

An appellate court has concluded that bills submitted to state or local public agencies by attorneys for legal work are open to public review and copying and are not exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act’s protection for “records pertaining to pending litigation,” reports Kenneth Ofgang for the Metropolitan News-Enterprise in Los Angeles. The decision of the California Court of Appeal to that effect in County of Los Angeles v. Superior Court (Anderson-Barker) upheld the lower court’s ruling on the “records pertaining” exemption. The county chose not to appeal the lower court’s ruling that the billings were not protected by the attorney-client privilege either.

Our New Mayor Teresa Arballo Barth

Lisa Shaffer (new Deputy Mayor), Tony Kranz & Mark Muir with Kathy Hollywood, City Clerk. Patch

Photo via Dave Roberts Twitter. 

(Patch video removed because of autoplay feature.)

Update: encinitasyouneedus video clips and links to more local news stories. First, Stocks and Bond leave and the newly elected council members are sworn in and serenaded.

Teresa Barth addressed the old ways of disrespect and hurt and what the new approach will mean. Unlike the treatment of her where she was accused of not being a team player when she didn't vote with the majority, she spoke about the choice for someone to vote against the other four was a good thing.  It meant a person was willing to stand up to what he or she believes.  She speaks candidly about what she had thought this decision would be and turned to her colleagues for the nomination. The room erupted at the final unanimous vote.

UT-San Diego 

Coast News

Here Comes the Sun

The long cold winter of our voices, Teresa Barth's voice being frozen out is over. Tonight Stocks and Bond leave and Lisa Shaffer and Tony Kranz become our new city council members. Like Barth, they are committed to the sunshine of open government.

Thought it fitting to let Nina Simone's version be the song of the day.

Election Day - Request from Lisa Shaffer

OMG . . . OMG . . . OMG  Did you think it would ever end? Editor

Lisa's requests: 

Bring Back Campaign Signs
Sign Collection Saturday, Nov. 10. This campaign has been too costly and too dirty. In an effort to clean things up, I'm asking everyone who has a Shaffer for Council campaign sign to bring it to one of the following collection points on Saturday, Nov. 10. We're selling the metal holders back to a distributor and donating the corrugated plastic signs to art programs for re-use. Thanks to my volunteers for their help.

• New Encinitas, in front of Flora Vista on Wandering Lane 10:00 - 12:00 

• Historic Encinitas, D Street Park (across from the library) 12:00 - 2:00 

 Bring Food
Food Collection. When you bring your campaign signs on November 10, please also bring a food donation for the many in need. The food will be donated to the Community Resource Center in Encinitas. Non-perishable items including canned goods, rice, beans, cooking oil, etc. are in constant demand. 

Even if you don't have a sign to recycle, we welcome your contributions. It's a small attempt to offset the enormous expenditures that go into political campaigns.

Councilwoman Teresa Barth will be at a collection site.  she had this to say in her Nov.3 newsletter:

Community Resource Center's Annual Holiday Baskets Program is set to serve a record number of local families in need this winter, but still expects to turn away hundreds of families because of low food supplies! Because of ongoing food shortages, CRC has ZERO supplies for Holiday Baskets again this year, so FOOD DONATIONS are a critical need.

Please spread the word! 

More Info 

I will be looking for volunteers to join me at the distribution site. More info to come after the election!

Wave of Endorsements from Young Professionals

As if by magic, a wave of endorsements from a whole group of young professionals appeared to support Tony Kranz and Lisa Shaffer in this final stretch. 

For all the cynics, naysayers and doubters let it be known, the current crop of movers and shakers in Encinitas may be far more aware of what is going on than anyone (in print anyway) imagined. 

This critical election in the 21st century requires these young community leaders, so Encinitas is well on it's way to healing as they make their presence known.

Just what is needed. Thanks to Marty Benson and others (not yet identified) for getting these videos on Facebook.

Also, a story via Councilwoman Barth.  Epic PhotoJournalism studio owner, Todd writes:

Epic is a proud supporter of Tony and Lisa! We would like to share their pictures as Todd spotted a woman yesterday afternoon stealing their signs and putting them in her car at the crossing of El Camino Real and Manchester Ave. There are thieves rolling around Encinitas, stealing their signs....incredible. Go Tony Kranz for Encinitas City Council and Shaffer for Council 2012!!!!!
Pictures by Epic PhotoJournalism

Councilwoman Barth Endorsement of Shaffer & Kranz

Count Down - 2 Days to the Election

Update  at end
Two days more to the campaigns for city council members.  Today, a Sunday, is a good day for families where moms and dads can let their kids join them in the whole process of participatory citizenship.  It's not just for school.

How about letting the kids wave signs with you somewhere you choose?  Guaranteed giggles and lots of questions about elections, voting and such.

Every Sunday we see volunteers handing out fliers at the Farmers' Market.  I watched Lisa Shaffer speak to children who asked her questions.  "What is city council?" This was a little red-headed girl in pink glued to Lisa's eyes.

"It's the people who run the city and I want to be one of these people.  Like the president only for our town."

"Ohhh!" Her eyes were bright and she never stopped petting her little toy.

Lisa has 4 daughters.  Makes me think of one of the best videos supportive of little girls I ever saw.

.  

Imagine a community - a country - filled with this kind of father the norm? Imagine these men letting these little girls know very early that they are cherished and respected.  It is not uncommon to hear guys say they would die for their children.  

Maybe something far less drastic would be miraculous.  I would ask if you are willing to do something girly with your daughter?  Are you willing to do something that might make you feel foolish - like standing on a corner holding a sign and waving at cars?  How about walking around your neighborhood with your kids and talking to people about the election and how it matters to you that your children learn what is going on in their neighborhood?

Can you just hear the excitement of these children when school begins tomorrow?  The playground will be buzzing.  Yes, it's okay for children to be guided in how to have political competition without being mean or hateful or threatening.  This really brings home the fact that you don't condone bullying.  You will have shown them this. 

The way I see it, an election is a snapshot.  The really important work ahead is building a community of involved citizens.  Now that is where the work begins. First step is to elect willing and cooperative city council members and be there for and with the children.

And on the theme of little girl activities for some comic relief - for adults only - Eddie Izzard.

Update: As it turns out, North Coast Current had an excellent post on children and politics yesterday. Check it out.

Who's Behind the Hit Pieces?

Via Councilwoman Teresa Barth's Newsletter today:

As predicted, the smear campaign rolled into high gear this past week. 

First there was a mailer in support of Stocks & Muir and 

blasting Shaffer and Kranz 

Return Address: 

North County Taxpayers for Responsible Government 

330 Encinitas Blvd #101 

Encinitas, CA 

Treasurer: Nancy Haley 

She is also the treasurer for Stocks & Muir 

Then there was the 

"Don't let Shaffer and Kranz Occupy Encinitas" 

Sent out by the San Diego County Republican Party 

who endorsed Forrester, Muir and Stocks 

Followed by a vicious character assignation against Tony Kranz. 

 Sent out by San Diego County Voters for Progress and Reform 

 7185 Navajo Rd, Suite P San Diego, CA

Treasure: C. April Boling 

She is also the Treasurer of the Lincoln Club 

 Muir, Forrester and Stocks were endorsed by the Club. 

 Who's the Lincoln Club? 

 Who supports Prop K - Elected Mayor? 

Bond, Muir & Stocks

Editor: Thank you Councilwoman Barth for a thorough summary that is well documented.  We appreciate this as we appreciate the kind of thoroughness you devote to your service on the city council.  My wish is this. You will be joined on the dais with two equally competent council members like Shaffer and Kranz to get real work done - rather than special interest empire building. And I would also wish that paid journalists would present vital summaries like this to the public, rather than waiting for information from elected officials to be handed to them. 

Count Down - 3 Days to the Election

The three zombie pumpkins make this the last Halloween themed post.  Promise.  Besides autumn being a favorite season for harvest reasons, smells, tree leaves changing, ocean currents and a kind of spirit of preparing for something big . . . I just love the pagan inspired fun of the holiday.

This year's obsession with zombies brought us the really creatively funny endorsement for Romney. A Google search returning 892,000 hits in 26 seconds that references Ryan as the Zombie Eyed Granny Starver is right on target here.

Just because local candidates in a so-called nonpartisan election do not talk the partisan national politics doesn't mean this liberal blogger won't. The common theme of lack of humanity and empathy - and well . . . lying - is just too similar.

Zombie voters - the walking dead who vote as programmed are a concern for every campaign interested in engaging and involving citizens.  Forty plus years of concentrated money and psychological research devoted to creating a docile, unquestioning population who identify as consumers rather than citizens has being frighteningly powerful.

Yet, the human spirit is stronger.  Even in a community of wealth, comfort and a paradise of nature there is a growing awareness of a false narrative that there is only economic bliss, progress, rainbows and unicorns in Encinitas government. Not everyone agrees on specifics, but common themes are apparent.  We are all feeling the realities of changing norms and inequities born out of corruption and greed. Heightened incivility, secretive processes and bullying behaviors at city hall have united different viewpoints.  We know we are being lied to by these political creatures.

We outnumber the zombies who refuse to reason, who attack intelligence, dissent and science.  The zombie army follows their directives and the invectives.  Eat our brains indeed.

We demand better.  Lisa Shaffer and Tony Kranz believe citizens in the community should be trusted to know what is important for themselves.  This makes them sharply different from the incumbents and Forrester who would have the general population stay out of their way - especially when it comes to developing and land use in Encinitas.

Count Down - 5 Days to the Election

Five is a fundamental number in our Encinitas Universe.  Five separate former towns or areas with self-identified communities worked very hard a quarter of a century ago to join together to create Encinitas.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Historic Encinitas

Leucadia

New Encinitas

Olivenhain

As Councilwoman Barth said in her Letter to the Editor on why she voted No on Proposition K, 

"Encinitas is a unique city formed as a collaboration of five distinct communities. I believe its council should also be a collaboration of the five distinct members."

Despite Encinitas City Council having five seats, there has been a majority voting block for many years that acts as in lock step to silence minority voices, dissenting views and diverse alternatives to the status quo.  For many years it was a 3:2 voting block.  For a year now, since Maggie Houlihan's death it has been a 4:1 super majority.

The majority on the council has turned a deaf ear to countless community character concerns of diverse nature.  Development at all costs seems the guiding theme regardless of the presentation or packaging du jour. Take a tour through the several hundred posts on this blog for specifics.

This opposition ideology uses terms like team in a redefined way.  For this council majority it means, agree with us or be labeled, libeled or otherwise attacked. In this election that could finally be ended. Lisa Shaffer and Tony Kranz have emphatically avoided divisiveness. They walk the talk. For this reason the 5 communities of neighbors resonate with their campaigns and have done for more than a year.

Real Grassroots Energy and Commitment 

1. All 5 communities have meet-ups for Lisa Shaffer and Tony Kranz.
2. All 5 communities have made contributions to these campaigns.
3. All 5 communities have activists watchdog, petition, write and speak out.
4. All 5 communities have volunteers working on these 2 campaigns.
5. All 5 communities have people contacting Lisa and Tony for more . . .

A council majority intent on serving communities of people instead of power brokers and special interests would really mean a refreshing change for all of Encinitas. Let's get out on the street corners and wave our big five fingered hand at the happy honking cars throughout all 5 communities.

Counting Down - 9 days to the Election

Finally single digits in the countdown.

9 candidates and it is obvious that many haven't lifted a finger - speaking of digits - in taking their campaigns to the people.

It becomes obvious to the unprepared non-incumbents that you can't cram for social organization.  Muir is trying to cram a political life of accomplishment outside of the crony network that has sustained his whole career. It's a very expensive task.

Shaffer and Kranz have logged the hours and done the homework for more than a year.  And, they are still at it. Yesterday they both were at the Green Surf event in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.  Today there is a meet-up and both are open to scheduling with other neighborhoods where there is curiosity and interest.  Click Shaffer's website or Kranz's website.

That video makes as much sense to me as so many presentations at city council where you can watch, follow along and think you hear good sense. Then a question is asked, a public speaker brings up overlooked points and then . . .  wait, what?

Public office is not supposed to be a winner take all game - a continuous campaign of control or racking up points as Mayor Stocks treats his role. We want our governance to make sense and to serve our best interests over the long term.

Keeping their Heads and Hearts above the Pond Scum

"One you would consider a very primitive life form. A person without principles or morals. 

By [his] recent official actions one might conclude that [he] is only slightly better than pond scum." urban dictionary

In the "new normal" that a council with open minds and sunshine can bring, even pond scum could make useful contributions.  Turns out that algae (pond scum) is an excellent source of vegetable oil, which can be turned into bio-diesel and used in place of petroleum based diesel fuel.

Anyways . . . Despite initial oral communications speakers' attacks, mud slinging and outright lies (presumably supporting Stocks and Muir), both Tony Kranz and Lisa Shaffer were able to speak about campaigns they are both proud of leading.

 

Mayor, We're Not Amused with Your Massive Waste

Those who are watching are very unhappy with the current council majority marshaled by Jerome Stocks. Besides the unwelcoming behavior, rudeness and marginalizing of the public shown in so many clips, described in the several hundred posts here; he has mounted personal campaigns for his own ends rather than for what he hypocritically terms the public's business.

In the past year this mayor has directed the most wasteful use of staff time and energy, in turn a significant number of the populace's time and energy for what? The two most glaring examples are those wherein Mayor Stocks was embarrassed and he manufactured an official format to retaliate.

When a room full of people turned their backs on Jerome Stocks as their new mayor he blanched and stammered.  Within 6 weeks he'd choreographed a scheme to appoint a mayor who had the most votes at his or her last election and this mayor would pick his or her own deputy mayor.  Of course the whole dance number between he and his partner Kristin Gaspar was to be his coup de grâs to position Princess Narcissus as the first of many of the crony club in the mayor chair.

This effort was thwarted several times, thankfully, by Bond or Muir who didn't play along. Nonetheless - time, energy and using up precious council attention from the people's business to Stock's annual embarrassment to justify abusing Teresa Barth's right to serve her constituency as mayor. See, her embarrassing revelations of Stocks has never been forgiven or forgotten.  This 2012 election's Proposition K - should we vote for mayor position? Prop L -should it be for 2 years? Prop M - should it be for 4 years? It is all part of the original embarrassment of Stocks. He probably won't stop until he can buy the damn title outright.

The second monster waste is based on payback for the whole Arts Alive Banner debacle where Stocks made an ass of himself in treating Maggie Houlihan's image on the banners as a kind of personal threat or rebuke or something or other equally false.  More than a year later and countless meetings, staff assignments, paid outside lawyers, ACLU, bogus subcommittee, tv time, lots of press ink (and digital band width) devoted to Stocks heartless petulance, yet need to justify / blame / deflect, etc.

On October 10, at what was to be the final time this abhorrent agenda item was to be aired, Lisa Shaffer spoke to the essence of this incredible waste.

So, on top of thousands of dollars and hours the council voted to adopt a terribly written and unnecessary sign ordinance for a non-existant risk  to "avoid public controversy or the perception of any such figures both positive or negative." As Shaffer says, "Why is that a legitimate goal for the city?"

Why indeed?  Public controversy and public perception are Mayor Stocks' seeming fixations. He can grow furious if he is called out, exposed or challenged.  His failing in his own very fragile self-regard here has cost the city far too dearly.

Sometimes candidates could stand to be embarrassed, when they behave in contemptible ways.

You New? Fresh Perspectives . . .

At a loss this morning for how to best characterize last night's special council meeting and the performance success of City Manager, Gus Vina and Parks and Recreation Director, Lisa Ruloff I found City Council Candidate's Lisa Shaffer's Facebook entry says what many of us were thinking. I for one reject the tired cliche of lemons to lemonade, but find Shaffer's perspective thoughtful and visionary. Such a truthful take compared to the local stenographers reporters for the council in the local news stories here, here or here .

Last night the City Council approved borrowing $8 million, reprogramming another $7 million, and spending over $19 million to build what is called the "full park" (ie, skatepark, dog park, and ball fields) at the Hall property off Santa Fe, as well as improvements at Moonlight Beach. The vote was unanimous, and if I had been on the Council and presented with the same question, I would have said yes, too. The community has waited long enough for a dedicated dog park, a public skate park, and additional playing fields. I strongly support organized sports, having played myself, and with 3 of our 4 girls having been on soccer and softball teams growing up.

There are many things that might have been done differently that might have enabled us to make these investments with less debt, with the ability to consider other financing options or phasing.

But the new team, led by Gus Vina and Lisa Rudloff, made the best of what they inherited, and fortunately interest rates are low, so lemonade is being made from some lemons and some sugar. I look forward to joining the rest of Encinitas in enjoying the new park.

Question: Am I the only one confused here? what happened to concern over funding etc.? I had to leave early, perhaps I missed something....like windfall grants or....?

Lisa Shaffer for Council 2012 Yes, there are concerns over financing. The City Attorney, selected and empowered by the Council majority (who we can change in November), assured the Council that the financing strategy was legal. Does that mean we should incur debt without a public vote? NO. Not in my view. But that was not offered as an option because continued City delays put us up against a funding deadline from the State for the Moonlight Beach money. By bundling Moonlight Beach and the Park, the degrees of flexibility on the overall vote were severely limited. It shouldn't have been presented that way, but it was. The new debt puts us at risk of not being able to address future needs such as stormwater drainage adequately - if we wanted to undertake a major capital project to address flooding, we don't have the borrowing flexibility.

The issues were not discussed and debated the way they should have been. The reality is that the way the package was presented and the way promises have been made to many important constituents for many years, the Council had no good options. The problem needed to be fixed long before we got to this City Council performance.

That's why I said that if I had been presented "with the same question" I would have said yes. But I would have tried hard before getting to this point to have provided opportunities for more open discussion of options; for planning that gives time for consideration of new questions that arise; and for including ordinary community members in stakeholder discussions, since we are all stakeholders in the Park.

Question: Ok, but bottom line Stocks gets to say to the voters "I built this park"...no?

Lisa Shaffer for Council 2012 Yes, you're right. Everyone on the Council said yes - we are ALL building this park. Of course there's no doubt there will be a groundbreaking with photo ops for all the Council members who are running this year. Absolutely. And all of us in Encinitas will be paying for it. But don't forget the other bottom line, which is that our kids and our dogs and our families will ultimately have a nice park, even though it comes at quite a high price financially and otherwise.

I don't want to be misrepresented as being against any of the important constituencies that the park will serve. I'm for a better process for making big public investments in a way that brings the community together rather than being divisive as this has been for the last 10+ years.

Instead of Jerome Stocks, Good Governance Principles

This piece from candidate for city council, Lisa Shaffer, was published in both the Patch online and The Coast News June 14, 2012.

"As I look forward to the November Encinitas City Council election, I think about the meaning of good governance, which I see as a nonpartisan goal that serves our community. The following are some principles that reflect what I want in an elected official."

1. You Work for Us: Expenditure of public funds, provision of public works and city services that derive from our taxes and other fees should be carried out on behalf of the residents of Encinitas for the primary purpose of protecting and enhancing our quality of life.
2. Open the Books and Use 21st Century Technology: Taxpayers are entitled to full and open accounting of expenditures, commitments and activities by the City Council, public employees and contractors. Citizens are also entitled to easy electronic access to city documents, including permit applications, appeals, the latest applicable general and specific plans, budgets, and assessment reports. The City should use current information technology to increase transparency and access.
3. Speak with Us Before You Speak for Us: Elected officials who represent the citizens of Encinitas in local and regional bodies like SANDAG, NCTD and the water districts should inform the public of significant issues before making commitments on our behalf and should seek public input whenever possible.
4. Run Meetings Properly: Public meetings should adhere to standard parliamentary procedure and conform to the Brown Act so citizens who have an interest can be well-informed about when such issues might be discussed in a public forum. Last minute changes to the agenda without explanation or consent should be avoided. A list of issues that the Council has agreed to put on the agenda should be publicly available with periodic reports on when such items will be addressed.
5. Tell the Truth: If we have more obligations than we have money, be honest about it. If we can’t deliver on services we promised, let us know so we don’t expect more than is possible. We’re on the same team — all working for the good of Encinitas.
6. Look at Options: Staff reports should include relevant background, data and evaluation of alternatives so we all can understand more fully what options might be available and can make informed decisions. Any presentations made by staff must be on the agenda and provided in advance.
7. Listen to Many Voices: Appointees to ad hoc and standing committees should be residents of Encinitas unless there is a compelling reason why a non-resident individual is needed. Criteria for appointment to ad hoc and standing committees and commissions should be spelled out and Council members voting on such appointments should be required to evaluate candidates against such criteria and justify their votes. This will ensure the city benefits from a diversity of qualified opinions, not just representatives of a particular segment of the community.
8. Protect Nature: Priority should be given to preservation of existing open space and protected habitat. Public land should not be sold to finance capital-improvement projects elsewhere.

Bike Sightings

May as National Bike Month means we'll keep up the ongoing coverage of our changing ways and increased biking. All of these various sightings show Councilwoman Teresa Barth's consistently biking, as evidence of this unique red bike showing up all around town.

Here is the bike rack at the Encinitas Public Libarary.  Walking Biking the talk.

This shot above shows the Shaffer sign on Teresa Barth's bike.  Lisa Shaffer is also a bike advocate and bike rider.  The following photo was on her website.

Same place, different state

Although it was a meeting built around the mayor's state of the city, Stocks sort of phoned it in. More interesting for this blogger is to present the oral communications speakers from last night's meeting. Candidate Lisa Shaffer was very encouraging.








Update: 10:45 Plucked from a real life conversation,

"Did you see how Stocks was arguing in the comments section of the UT in the middle of the night? The man has no class. It sounds like a poor me, poor me, pour me another - midnight ramblings."

NCTD Overlord

The clip below captures our mayor seizing another opportunity to belittle Teresa Barth's reasonable points. The issue at hand is the item before the council regarding a piece of land at the north end of Vulcan Ave.  The developer wanted a vacation from an IOD.

Civics 101: IOD = Irrevocable offer of Dedication. When an agency requires a developer or landowner to give certain things to the agency, often as a component of development, such as land for open space or for a sidewalk, an entire street, a streetlight, a pipeline or other infrastructure, etc., the property is granted through an IOD.

The Planning Dept. recommended that the council approve this without discussion; that is, it was part of the Consent Calendar of issues deemed routine.  But, a member of the public "pulled this item" which means it was placed on the agenda to be discussed instead.  The clip begins as a city staff is flipping through maps and giving a sort of unintelligible description.  As is often the case, Teresa Barth attempts to clarify what is being presented.

Yet that isn't the real story of this post.  The story is the behavior and an awareness that we individuals are watching, entitled to information and explanation regarding the governance of the city.  This includes  balancing the public good against individual's or private companies' interests. 

Anything is fair game if a point of view from Barth  or the public is different than his own or that of the council majority. It seems clear if one watches enough city council meetings, he doles out his vindictiveness in an intensity based on who the person is. It’s what he does and he rarely deviates from this template. The 2012 version, from this last council meeting on January 25, also features the deputy mayor acting very much like a spokesmodel to set up the mayor’s response and to patronize Barth following the mayor's speech.  It's almost like a duet.

Anyone else wondering just when Stocks was going to let citizens know about magnanimous NCTD rail kingdom granting Encinitas serfs the right of way ribbon of land for bike/pedestrian paths, fences and landscape? How about any great and powerful OZ SANDAG news? Sheesh. You've got to watch closely, because you might blink and see more handed to developers or other private players.  We have a right to lack trust.

The challenge remains, to get as many people to the city council meetings as possible.  Besides making these people with the titles have to perform their duet (or quartet) in front of many witnesses, it gives councilwoman Barth some knowing faces in the room.

Wednesday Night's City Council Agenda  - February 8th at 6 pm
From the City of Encinitas website:
 

6. Council to make an appointment to the Element Review Advisory Committee to fill the New Encinitas resident position. Vote by council  ballot to make an appointment to the Element Review Advisory Committee to fill the New Encinitas resident position.

7. Council to meet with applicants for Commission for the Arts, Environmental Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Senior Citizen Commission, and Traffic Commission. Appointments are scheduled to be made by Council on February 22, with an effective date of March 1, 2012.
Hear each applicant briefly explain his/her qualifications and interest in serving on a commission.

Item 6 is needed because none of the applicants for ERAC were vetted properly, so there was a ringer in the New Encinitas resident position.  This sadly, makes all of the ERAC members vulnerable to doubt.  This is a city clerk screw up, whether deliberate, directed by others or simply incompetence.

Lisa Shaffer recently challenged the process of commission appointments in general.  This is a theme for this blog to pursue because our mayor and friends have increasingly ignored quality applicants in favor of friends and backers.

Shaffer also spoke to the subject and substance of this post among other things in her letter to the San Diego Union Tribune Editors.   The relevant excerpt regarding Mayor Stocks recent email to some that he was going to begin sending a newsletter:

"I want to know how he’s working to improve the atmosphere in City Hall to one of respect and collaboration. Stocks is the mayor of all of Encinitas, and I think that role comes with a responsibility to communicate regularly with the citizens". – Lisa Shaffer, Encinitas

Power to the Poeple

Update at end.
So the song says . . . or something kind of similar, maybe. This is in jest because our mayor decided to send out a slap dash email calling itself a newsletter to a random group of email addresses.  Does it look to you like it was sent without any spellcheck, proofreading, content acuracy, purpose or sense of format? The first line alone sounds like some made up Eddie Haskell filler.  For this editor it is a sorry-assed communique.

Hi, 

The other day I ran into one of our neighbors at Von's. 

She was surprised to hear that 5.8 acres of land near the San Elijo Lagoon have been purchased for permanent open space. 

She had not heard about it. And asked if she could be included in future emails that I send out. 

I told her I did not do an email newsletter to poeple (sic) in Encinitas, but that this would be a good excuse to start one. 

So here is my first email. 

If you do not wish to receive news from me about Encinitas, let me know, I will gladly remove your name from this list. 

In the meantime, I hope you are having a great New Year. 

Jerome Stocks Mayor, City of Encinitas 

p.s. Not produced or sent at government expense or using government exquipment. (sic)

The nod to John Lennon's Power to the People was sarcasm.  Our mayor Stocks' focus never has been the people and especially not empowered people. This email is indicative of someone who can't be bothered to show respect for those he is contacting by even rudimentary regard for spelling or message. And, to that end the spelling of people as poeple in the title is to mock Stocks.

Update: Excellent letter to the editor at the Union Tribune this morning by Lisa Shaffer. who is running for a seat on the Encinitas City Council.  Go read the whole thing.  Here is an excerpt:

"I would welcome a newsletter from the mayor, and if he’s going to use his mayor title, he should produce and send it at government expense to everyone. I want to know what the budget priorities are, since there isn’t enough money to do all the things that have been promised." [ . . . ] "I want to know how he’s working to improve the atmosphere in City Hall to one of respect and collaboration."