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| Volume 64, Issue 16 | Rota-Scribe: Al "T" Tetrault | |||||||||||
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Candidates Forum Day at Rotary
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New President Bob Savage (not the ‘Old Bob’ that Sharon referred to in her talk) opened the meeting. Jim Blake led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Griff Duncan and the ‘Grifftones’ led us in their renditions of ‘God Bless America’ and ‘Smile’, accompaniment was Don Ludwig. Thought for the day by Lee Myhre; Fraying Fabrics have a fringe. Fullerton has great Leaders and Rotary members are not on the fringe. Go out to the community and your job, be a part of the main fabric, not on the fringe. Bob Engemann introduced guests and visiting Rotarians. Guests of Ray Hansen: Linda Parton, Bill Heaton: Leland Wilson, Buck Catlin: Bobbie Catlin and Janet Jerome, Robert Jahncke: Beth Jahncke, Cameron McCune: is Lauralyn Eschmen and Hilda Sugarman, Howard Wood: Sharon Kennedy, Dick Jones: Norma Jones, Jennifer Cowen and Jan Flory, Vern Andrews: Dick Rocke, Minard Duncan: Pam Keller and Shawn Quirk, Jim Young: Dottie Young, and Don Bankhead: Carol Bankhead. Our lone visiting Rotarian was Ron Gillette from Fullerton Sunrise. Announcements were fast and furious!!! Bob Jahncke took a show of hands for those that attended the ‘Boys and Girls Club’ auction. Advised us all on how much fun it was and worthwhile… shame on us if we are not there next year. AL Tetreault announced Thursdays Program meeting, Bill Klinghoffer announced the Ragfest/Friends of Jazz this weekend at Steamers and Fullerton College, Reminder that Winston Creel has tickets for The Rotary Concert - Plummer Auditorium Event, also the Club Social Newport Harbor tour still has tickets available for December 19th… I apologize for those that I missed! Wally Bartelt received the honor of winning the raffle question. What year was the draft abolished? Close at 1975, the answer was 1973. Bill Hite was held up for the $10.00 consolation prize. Bob Clark, Jr brought to my attention that with the support from last weeks Rotary meeting, the Orphanage project in El Sausal broke ground today. Buck Catlin found a sign at home that read “Catlin for City Council” (so what do ya think Buck?) Buck brought to order the purpose of today’s program. Candidates for City Council on the upcoming ballot. Giving the guidelines of a 3 minute statement from each, question sheets on the audience tables for main concerns and 1 minute final statements, we proceeded with the program. Candidates 2 Minute Intro: Dick Jones believes that Fullerton is good, better and inspiring to be the best. Need to continue to increase revenues. Gave dues to Current City Council, Civic volunteer committees and various Rotarians in the community. Our Downtown is Award winning, Public Safety is a priority, good repors with the Education Community and that we are the Education City. We have a bustling transportation center, adequate and safe water thanks to Jim Blake. Excellent Streets and maintenance thanks to President Savage. Great Parks and Schools. Fullerton, Fullerton, Fullerton a heck of a town. #1 Leader of the Band! Shawn Nelson Mayor Pro-Tem and 1 of 5. Grew up in this town. Talked about his friends that have voted in this town but never went further than that, he wanted to be different and do more. Business owner with 28 employees. Been in the Building Industry and tries to use that experience. Fullerton, compared to other City’s, is very well run, without deficit. Our biggest issue facing Fullerton is the anxiety of growth. Talked about the new parking garages at FC, ST Jude and Cal State and how they will benefit the community. He is up to the challenge. Sharon Quirk thanked Dr Jones and his explanations. Educator and this is the Education City. Use of her unique skills as an Educator. On the Boys and Girls Club board. Sees people stepping up, wants to be a part of that team. Grew up here and is raising her children here. Wants a family friendly Downtown. Enjoys and loves our Downtown and wants a balance. Likes people coming together. Wants to listen to the community. Have had 25 coffees in the community. |
Mike Clesceri, current Mayor. Elected on the values of enhancing our quality of life and community safer. We are only as good as the people we represented. Fullerton has not once touched its cash reserve. Dealt with financial issues without raising taxes. Led the charge for 3 new Paramedic Stations. Helped eliminate massage parlors that were a source for prostitution. We have another tough year ahead of us. Hopefully last year the governor takes funds from us. Base him on record of accomplishments and his word to the city.Doug Chaffee Parents came here in 1935 and met at FJC. They started a Law practice in Anaheim then moved to Fullerton. Doug enjoyed going to school in Fullerton. After reading a Campaign manual learned to hire a Great Campaign Manager and do everything they tell you, so he hired his wife Paulette. As an intern in the California Assembly he met a lot of influential people. After Law School joined the Peace Corps. Came back to practice law with his father. Became Managing partner and fund out about Business law and experiences. Business is his forte. Been involved in local charities. Past President of Fullerton Sunrise. His children are Fullerton students and the best reason for him to run for City Council. Ralph Baker resident since 1988. Started attending council meetings in 1998. says he was the only candidate at the Affordable Housing Meeting in Anaheim. Is concerned with the less fortunate in our community. Wants to put items on the agenda twice a year to find a way to get benefits to those that need it faster. Had concerns with filling vacancy with Fullerton PD, Says will go to State and Federal Gov. to help break deadlock on Fox Fullerton issue. Has a concern with Coyote Hills properties. Table Questions: What do you think of the Development issues of Coyote Hills? Dick Jones – Nothing before the council, open to any discussion. Shawn Nelson All true. Fact is No funds to buy it from Chevron. Cannot control in. Norby tried t help but failed. Limited development is expected to look as nice as other areas. Sharon Quirk has been talking to those active such as Don Means w/Chevron Friends of Coyote Hills and Save Coyote hills. Trying to look at it as a place 5-10-20 years what it can be. People are looking for places to spend with family together.
Mike Clesceri: Still an issue per developer. Will not support cookie cutter development Need to preserve open space in Fullerton. There is no money available. Possible Chevron price is $500 Million for property. Need to work on negotiating for best possible project with least density. Doug Chaffee Feels some passion on this. Referenced experience with his sons while swimming with whales and the need for preserving nature. Looking at saving Coyote Hills with vision of passion. Knows we need to preserve it. Ralph Baker Believes in 8 years we will own Coyote Hills property. Wants a City Council that listens to both sides of the story. Wants to rewrite development contract.
Next Question Re: Conflict of interest with support and contributions from Police association. Also re: the 3/50 retirement benefit and contribution plan. Shawn Nelson Police association wrote a check for $250.00 @ Fundraiser and asked if he would like the Association to support him. Shawn said yes and asked for their support. Said they run their own show when it comes to candidate support. Under the 3/50 plan Police and Fire persons retire at 50 years old and receive 90% of their last years pay for retirement benefits. This was not going to cost the city anything but with the stock market crash there is a gap in support. It will work out. This is comparable with what most cities’ offer for Public Safety, not all employees. Mike Clesceri Asked for and received support. Agrees with benefits. Agrees with 50 year old retirement age due to stresses on Law Enforcement and Fire personnel and the average life expectancy after retirement. Doug Chaffee Not interviewed nor seeking endorsement. Defined Benefits and Contribution plan. Explained the differences to him and that we need to be fair and competitive with other City’s and that we do need to look in to this. Dick Jones: The association refused to interview and support him and has not asked. Believes it is due to some issues he questioned in the previously passed legislation. Has supported many projects. Has so much to tell you, come ask him. Sharon Quirk is supported by Police and Fire just not the association. Does not fault the Police organization for being organized but feels election should be supported by local Fullerton Community. Ralph Baker not supported or endorsed either. Questions City Councils ability to support PD. Next Question -Yes or no answer please On Negative campaign literature. Will you go on record that you have no knowledge of negative campaign letters in last 2 weeks Dick Jones: No not now or ever Shawn Nelson: No Sharon Quirk: No. Theme is positive Mike Clesceri: No. Been recipient of it. Doug Chaffee: No unless attacked will shoot back Ralph Baker: Not going to say anything negative ************************************************************ One Minute Summary Ralph Baker: Believes in being there for the people. Supports affordable housing, Police Department and an open-minded Council Doug Chaffee: Burning issue, infrastructure. Believes in diversity and respect. Need to respect all that are different. Need people to come forward from all directions to get best advice. Mike Clesceri: Thanked Buck and Rotarians. Talked about serving Fullerton honorably. Wants to continue. Asks for your vote. We have a thriving Downtown. Found money to cover sewer fee mandate. Feels not time to reverse the trend. Sharon Quirk: Based on Friends, family and neighbors is the strength of the community. Fullerton is a wonderful City. Plans on living here and raising her children here. Work together and bring together groups. Shawn Nelson: We all want the same thing for those that live here or work here like Scott (LOL). Feels he is one of five that has been making a difference. Dick Jones: A rising tide lifts all boats. We have increased revenues each year for the last 8 without raising taxes. Wants to keep ding that and wants to say Fullerton is the Finest. With that, President Savage thanked everyone, asked to vote yes on 1A. Next week is Fullerton College with Jim McKamy and Joanne Brannock. Adjourned with a quote… No one should retire from life at any age. |
