|
In a recent column in the Valley Breeze former Mayor
Matt Weyuker made some interesting comments about my candidacy and asked a
series of questions that he feels apply to all candidates. Ordinarily I would
hesitate to respond to fallacious remarks, however the questions Mr. Weyuker
asks are good and worth consideration.
|
"Check these 5 candidates out, their real backgrounds, their prior
employment, or lack of, what real experience they've had in dealing with all of
the complex issues that go into developing budgets that go into the millions of
dollars."
As a member of the Coachella Valley Mosquito and
Vector Control Board of Trustees, I have been involved in the budgeting of a $10
million operation, Additionally, I have recently completed a graduate level
class in Public Finance and Budgeting as part of the Masters in Public
Administration program that I am enrolled in at California State University, San
Bernardino, Additionally, I have completed a major paper, in conjunction with
another student, on the finances of the City of Desert Hot Springs from 1993 to
the present. You can find this report elsewhere on this web site or I will be
happy to e-mail it to you upon request.
"Ask yourselves the following questions about these 5 candidates.
Why are they really running?"
I am running to try and correct many of the poor
decisions of the present council and to, hopefully, get our City on the path to
economic viability. I would never have supported a $322,000.00 salary and
benefit package for our former City Manager when there are streets in this City
that resemble the surface of the moon. I am disappointed that the current
Council has not given higher priority to commercial development so that we don’t
have to cross over the I-10 to do our shopping. Because 67% of the sales tax
dollars that we pay as DHS residents go to the cities across the freeway – we
don’t have tax money for better police, fire and code enforcement.
"What business/financial experience do they have?"
I have 25 years of experience in the electronics
industry where I had the following duties: Purchasing and sub-contract
negotiation upwards to $1,000,000.00 in goods and services for Rockwell
International, Collins Radio Division; 18 years experience with Micrometals,
Inc. in Anaheim doing a variety of tasks – personnel, pension plan
investments, insurance contracts, sales and marketing. While I was employed at
Rockwell, I was elected president of the Rockwell/Collins Credit Union.
Following my employment with Micrometals I moved to the desert in the late 1980’s
and purchased a restaurant/bar. This was a valuable learning experience as I
know first hand the problems small business persons have with local governmental
agencies. While I invested approximately $400,000.00 in this venture it did not
prove to be enough to carry me through the recessionary economy of the early
1990’s so, like our former mayor, I had to file for bankruptcy. My bankruptcy
was in 1992, while Mr. Weyuker declared bankruptcy while he was mayor of our
City.
"What out-of-town entities are they receiving campaign money from (and
what do they expect in return)?"
To date I have received no significant contributions
from "out of town" entities. I have received a number of contributions
of less than $100.00 from many friends – most of whom live in DHS. The only
contribution for more than $100.00 is a $250.00 contribution from CSEA local 100
which is the bargaining unit for the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector
control District. (I am an appointed trustee for that District.) My older son
who works for CalTrans and has been able to give me some insight into the I-10
over crossing, sent me an e-mail saying he would be contributing $200.00 to my
campaign. He knows how to make his daddy cry as I certainly never expected such
a generous contribution. It is wonderful when you experience such an open
display of love from one of your children. He does live and work in Sacramento,
however, so, I would have to include him – using Mr. Weyuker’s criteria - as
an "out of town" campaign contributor. He has no "Quid pro
Quo" agenda – he just loves his dad.
"How much are they beholden to the Desert Hot Springs Bashers?"
If anyone who criticizes policy that has been
established by the City Council is a "Desert Hot Springs Basher" my
reply would have to be that everyone who is supporting me wants – not only
change – but, a candidate that proposes "HOW" change might be
brought about.
"How much real support, both financial and grassroots, do any and all of
the 5 candidates have coming from within our city?"
Local volunteers are helping me make my own signs,
stuffing envelopes, and designing a website, etc.. All of the printing of
letters I have done has been on my own home personal computer. The only
"outside the city" support (volunteer) is the endorsement of the
Stonewall Democrat Club of the Coachella Valley. It is unfair to say that this
organization is "outside the City" as there are many residents within
the City who are members of the Club and are helping with my campaign. Unlike
the majority of the current Councilors and two of my opponents – I have not
received any funds from developers with projects in DHS, other business entities
with potential projects in DHS nor have I received any monetary funds from any
political party.
"Just who are these 5 candidates and what do they do for a living?"
I am virtually retired, although I do have an active
real estate sales person license.
"What experience do any of them have in public service?"
Many years of volunteer public experience including
– but not limited to:
-
State Assembly, Sacramento, California
-
I served as a page (an honorary appointment) on
three different occasions
-
City of Orange, CA
-
Chairman – Economic Development and Finance
Committee
-
Member – City of Orange Chamber of Commerce
-
Chair – Schaefer School Parent Advisory Committee
-
Member – PTA; Schaefer School, Yorba Junior High
School, Orange High School
City of Anaheim, CA
-
Member – Chamber of Commerce
-
Member – Chamber Economic Development Committee
-
Volunteer – Hope House, tutor for young people to
get their GED
City of Palm Springs, CA
City of Desert Hot Springs, CA
-
Chamber of Commerce – former secretary and Board
member
-
Parks and Recreation Commission – former chair
-
Planning Commission - former member
-
DHS Boys and Girls Club – former Board secretary
-
Citizens of Patrol – former active member
-
Rotary International (noon) – member
"I'll list the "Fab 5" alphabetically - Karl Baker,
"Bobby" Bentley, Scott Matas, Ted Mayrhofen, and Adam Sanchez. Let's
evaluate them individually to see what has motivated them to seek the office of
City Councilor and to determine whether or not their attempt at serving our
community will be a positive or a drawback.
Karl Baker - Mr. Baker claims to be a former businessman in Orange County and a
schoolteacher."
It is unnecessary to "claim" something
that is an actual fact. My business experience is discussed above. After the
failure of my restaurant/bar, I started substitute teaching in the public
schools here in the Coachella Valley. I primarily worked for the Coachella
Valley Unified School District and the Palm Springs Unified School District. I
was very much in demand working virtually every school day. I enrolled in a
teacher credentialing program at Chapman University and received my Secondary
Teaching Credential (Social Science). During this time I took a long-term
substitute position with Desert Springs Middle School teaching ESL math and
science at the 7th and 8th grade level. At the end of the long term sub
assignment I had received my credential and I was offered a contract to continue
as a permanent teacher in that same position for the next year. Midway through
that school year, I was recruited by a company in the Chicago area and also a
company in Costa Mesa to return to the electronics industry. I decided to join
the Costa Mesa Firm – Flat Transformer Technology – but they "went
under" after little more than a year (I learned the painful lesson that
"all that glitters is not gold.) Therefore, I decided to return to teaching
but, as the school year had already started full time positions were not
available in my credential area. I learned that Basic Education teaching
positions were available in the State Prison System and was fascinated by that
concept. The pay was considerably higher than what the public schools offered
and there was only a four day work week. I applied at Calipatria State Prison
(about 90 miles south of DHS) and was offered a position which lasted almost 5
years. With budget cuts looming, I received a notice of "possible lay
off" and then accepted a job with the San Bernardino Superintendent of
Schools teaching Alternative Education in Upland. As it did not appear that an
opportunity to transfer closer to home would be available, I decided to retire
after about one year.
"The last I knew, he was teaching in the state prison way out in Blythe
- 150 miles from Desert Hot Springs! Why?"
This statement is incorrect and the correct
information is above. I will say that the time I spent at Calipartia State
Prison was extremely rewarding and was an opportunity for substantial personal
growth. Because I stayed in the Calipatria area during the work week (three
nights) to save on commuting costs, it became necessary for me to take a hiatus
from the local political scene. I enjoy teaching the socially challenged
students.
"He has also run for a seat on the City Council at least 4 times, and
this will be his 5th run at attempting to get himself elected. Maybe Baker has a
Norman Thomas complex, a well-known Socialist Party candidate who ran for
President at least 5 times and never seemed to get the message."
These are incorrect statements. This is my third run
for City Council. The two previous times I came within a "hair" of
being elected – once by only 9 votes. The man Mr. Weyuker appointed to be his
vice-mayor - Greg Rupert - also ran three times before being elected. Mr.
Weyuker has stated many times that "Money is the mother’s milk of
politics." To a large extent this is true. Former President Ronald Reagan
said, "Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come
to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."
Since I am committed to refraining from soliciting
big money from out of town donors, my campaigns have never been "high
dollar" – thereby, possibly contributing to my previous failed attempts.
However, I am also willing to concede that the electorate favored other
candidates.
A Reader Asks and I
Answer
Comments &
Responses
|
