5th Ward debate: From the newspaper cutting room floor
The following was slated to appear in the Sun on Oct. 11 but was cut for space constraints:
In the debate for the 5th Ward council seat, incumbent Chas Kelley faced off with challengers Carolyn Tillman, Rick Avila and Randy Lee. The candidates squared off primarily on public safety and economic development, with Kelley and Tillman drawing the most affirmation from the crowd ...
Below is a picture from the early part of the debate. From left to right: Kelley, Lee, Avila and Tillman
Tillman drew applause throughout, often sounding a theme of greater resources for children and support for Morris’ anti-crime efforts.
Kelley said he’s working hard to bring new businesses to the city and touted new retailers and restaurants in the 5th Ward. He sided with Penman on the parolee issue and said he supports the San Bernardino International Airport as a “jobs magnet.”
Lee said agencies need to work more closely together.
“You need to have code enforcement fight blight in San Bernardino,” Kelley said.
On issues of public safety, Tillman signaled her support for Operation Phoenix, Mayor Pat Morris’ multi-pronged anti-crime programs, saying prevention, intervention and suppression was the antidote.
Avila said graffiti is a key repellant for businesses. He added that cameras could be used to nab “taggers.” He added that penalties should be stiffer.
“I don’t think any tagger in their right mind would spend 25 years to life for tagging a building,” Avila said, drawing applause.
Comments
It is inevitable, in any kind of a race or contest, that those who give the proverbial nod to the Mayor by parroting the “party” line expect that they will be elected justI by looking like they are hanging on to his coat tails. It is the reason that Tillman chose to turn a blind eye on public safety in her remarks and to overwhelmingly covet the costly and ineffective Mayor’s Op Phoney policy. She goes on to state that she will collaborate with the Mayor fully in his social services agenda. She continues following the Mayor’s line and the line that his four amigos naturally follow in the follow the leader kid’s game when it comes to the parolee question she had to field. She said that the state should deal with it. How about that for sticking her head in the sand and going “lalalalalala I can’t hear, see, or do anything that has to do with parolee problems” She further tries to hit the right buttons by painting herself in the corner of Arts and rich culture for San Bernardino. Lastly, as expected, she plays the race card by being the first and only one to bring it up in answering a question about whether it would be a good idea to have AT LARGE elections as opposed to WARDs. She messed up on this because the very guy she is pandering to would like AT LARGE elections as well as appointed City Attorneys who would be involved in a lot of boot licking; just the way Jim Penman’s opponent will be doing if she is elected. If any voters were impressed by the way Jim Penman’s opponent denied being Marianne Reger in Costa Mesa, Google it up as Marianne Reger Costa Mesa.
Posted by: Joe Ortiz | October 10, 2007 10:47 PM
TILLMAN SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER MORRIS RUBBER STAMP. JUST WHAT WE NEED. MORE SOCIAL PROGRAMS THAT MIGHT SHOW SOME FRUIT IN 18 YEARS. WHAT ABOUT OUR PROPERTY VALUES, TODAY? HELP US TAXPAYERS, NOW. HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE OVER THE NEXT 18 YEARS.
Posted by: PROUD WIFE AND MOTHER | October 10, 2007 11:17 PM
Richard Avila's strength, courage and insight have continued to instigate positive reform within the City of San Bernardino and he has not yet even been elected to any public office. His proven track record of successfully challenging the unjust actions of City of San Bernardino public officials reveals that he has been and will always be the "people's candidate", willing to sit down and listen to the concerns of all citizens who seek to petition the City of San Bernardino to redress their grievances and to improve their daily quality of life. None of the candidates has ever challenged any of the City of San Bernardino's public policies in a manner that is more than simple words; in contrast, Rick Avila has taken the City of San Bernardino to the mat, pinned it and emerged from the wrestling match in victory, accomplishing important public policy reforms that have benefitted all of the citizens of the City of San Bernardino. Quoting the Bible is not enough and reveals narcissistic vanity (and, in a sense, violates one of the Ten Commandment that says 'thou shalt not take my name in vain'), and tepid legislative behavior of the incumbent while elected is worse being asleep at the wheel, . Only one candidate has truly made a difference in a way the makes him worthy to hold legislative influence and power, and that candidate is Rick Avila.
Posted by: Mark Blankenship | October 11, 2007 12:02 AM
Joe,
Just one factual correction:
Marianne Milligan was not her legal name at the time the MALE decided to sue over a technicality in the way Costa Mesa events took place.
We've discussed this before, remember? What happened in Costa Mesa made the news. But, it didn't make Marianne Milligan newsworthy. Why? BECAUSE IT WASN'T ABOUT HER!
Do you get it now, Joe?
Posted by: Susana Atanasova | October 11, 2007 1:41 AM