Joseph Turner's secret City Hall backing?
At a San Bernardino Valley Republican Assembly meeting in late August, a curious thing happened ...
Joseph Turner, a controversial blogger and former illegal immigration activist now running for San Bernardino City Clerk, received a unanimous endorsement from the Republican group's present membership.
Who did that group include?
San Bernardino 7th Ward Councilwoman Wendy McCammack and 5th Ward Councilman Chas Kelley.
Around that same time, McCammack and Kelley joined councilmembers Neil Derry and Tobin Brinker, and City Attorney James F. Penman, in issuing a public pronouncement of total support for incumbent City Clerk Rachel Clark. The pronouncement, issued to local media via press release, was a swift response to the news that Turner would challenge Clark for city clerk.
Yet McCammack did not just vote to endorse Turner at the Republican group meeting, she also told the small crowd gathered at a Denny's restaurant in Redlands that she supported Turner and would vote for him, in contrast to the more public support she pledged to Clark via the press release.
This reporter asked McCammack if and why she did that Monday morning. McCammack was forthcoming. She said she did indeed tell the group she would vote for Turner. When asked if she would cast her vote for Turner - and not Clark - McCammack said it would be decision for the voting booth.
Kelley hasn't said anything about the meeting, but Turner said Monday morning that his endorsement was unanimous, and that Kelley was a voter, so presumably Kelley voted for him.
Kelley has previously told this reporter he didn't remember if he had inked his signature among the more than 3,000 contained in the controversial anti-illegal immigration petition Turner came to prominence pushing in 2006.
Turner's initiative would have banned city-funded day-labor centers, punished those who did business with or rented to illegal immigrants and required that city communications be done in English only.
Turner said he remembers clearly - and that Kelley and Derry both signed it.
Why is all this important? Because it may indicate that McCammack and Kelley issued public proclamations in favor of Clark and against Turner, while personally harboring the opposite feelings. If this is the case, it would seem that these candidates are concerned that supporting Turner will hurt their chances at the polls, so they don't do so publicly.
Both Kelley and McCammack face multiple opponents for re-election next month.
In any event, readers deserve to know that these council candidates have feelings toward Turner that are more complicated than their crisp press releases would suggest.
Comments
At City Hall meeting 10-01-07,Several issues of things that needed to be address Because thier bee things like Streets has not been re-pave due to the city has no funds to fix the streets or the man power as i was told when I called the city about he roads in between 9th and baseline rd and between H and E that has pot holes that are messing up front end of our cars. The second issues is that I was told i couldn't get a bussiness liscenes due to me being a ex- felon.
But most of all our City Attorney Penman blame Paroless again for the cirmes over the weekend that no parolees was involed in and again the City Attorney JAmes F. Penman has not got his fact right.
There are issuess tht is great concern that has to do with plubic safety when gidwire are broken and people get hurt by them and when call in about it the Electric company said it take five day to get it fix. While in that time people are getting hurt by lack of eremercy to fix this problem before kids or adult get hurt by this. Again where is code enforcement when there a problem like this? This is a plublic safety issues that needs to be taken care of "NOW" not later.
The Issues is that our City Manager needs to fine out why our streets are not getting fixs and fine out when they going to fix them.
As far as the City Attorney James F.Penman, I want to Know where he get 1.5 million dollors to over the last ten year to go after parolees? I would like a city aduit on where this money came from and how ever election year he has the money to use parolees to make issues amd blame them for the crimes in the city? In the last several months there been cops invold in Rape cases as well SHeriffs but you don't hear a thing about those crimes by plubic service people. It been all about parolees and he final admitted that he hates parolees in the city and that by law it against the law to single out one group which he has admitted is parolees. Where is justice in breaking state and federal law. Just because he The City Attorney the law is the law and when will we put a stop to the city attorney breaking the law. If The City Attorney James F.Penman, Job is to give advise to city councial why is he trying to make Laws?
If the City Attorney James F.Penman, Needs to give up being the city attorney and become a city Counsial member maybe it would do everyone justice.
Posted by: Anthony Garacci | October 1, 2007 11:20 PM
Joe Turner should be considered a serious candidate for any office he runs for. He has the tenacity to fight for the rights of the citizen voters and not try to stay in the shadows of those who always wish to be politically correct. He is not a wishy washy hand wringer. He tells it like it is, AND, if you really admit it, he tells it like you would like to tell it. Get it? (enough of that) I was extremely disappointed he did not get a school board position; i suppose the "good ole GALs" circled the wagons to keep up the ridiculous charade they call a school board with worse yet, the head of the board and his bosses.
Posted by: Joe Ortiz | October 2, 2007 6:02 AM
To respond to the request for information re: campaigning using a taxpayer owned car, I recieved an email containing photos in front of the Mayor's house on Maywood, a red Prius, parked in the early evening with the sign stakes clearly visible. The reflection of the Mayor's front door is in the car's window. If not Milligan's than whose? Penman's? Mulvihill's? Those are the size stakes that those three campaigns are using. But does it mattter whose name is on the signs? Campaign signs are campaigning no matter whose they are.
Posted by: Proud Wife and Mother | October 2, 2007 4:58 PM
Mr. Ortiz:
I appreciate the kind words and praise.
If I am fortunate to be empowered with a mandate from the voters, I guarantee you that my efforts will be tireless and my pursuits undeterred.
Posted by: Joseph Turner | October 2, 2007 11:02 PM
Anthony,
You are clearly familiar with a portion of the central city area. Are you seeing signs for the people you want to see elected at the homes and businesses in that area? Are you interested in placing signs at your home, and asking others around you to do the same? By doing this you can contribute to society in a positive way. I am sure you would like that. Society would be thankful to you for contributing, too. You will see how good participating in the process feels.
Please, visit this link and contact the candidates you would like to place signs for, or volunteer for in any other way.
Your past is not in control of your future. By getting involved, you are leading your life on the right path. I commend you for that.
Your friend & Neighbor,
Susana Atanasova
Posted by: Susana Atanasova | October 3, 2007 1:07 AM
There is an area of SBNow Blog constructed precisely for posting photos such as you claim to possess.
Of course, there is no such photo posted there ~ by you, your family members helping to make multiple posts against Honorable Mayor Patrick Morris and in favor of Jim Penman, or anyone else under any name or alias.
There being no technological obstacle in posting a photo already on your computer by e-mail, why isn’t it here?
Why?
Because the photo does not exist!
Stop with the lies and start with the facts. Please.
Susana ~ Hoping the frustration with having nothing positive to say about your candidate, and nothing bad to say about mine, will lead you, Joe and the kids to VOTE FOR MARIANNE MILLIGAN FOR CITY ATTORNEY ~
“The only SANE choice, not the same OLD choice!”
Posted by: Susana Atanasova | October 3, 2007 1:17 AM