Tobin Brinker and Joseph Turner: No love lost

Nov. 2

Tobin Brinker writes:

Turner's mailer is despicable. The face hidden in the all black cover is quite simply a racist act. Sure Turner hasn't mentioned race or illegal immigrants in this campaign because he knows that line of political rhetoric is a dead-end with the voters. So instead this time around he fans the flames of fear against sexual predators and parolees (nicely piggy-backing on Jim Penman's favorite election year issue).

His campaign this time around is a classic case of mis-direction. He blames the city clerk whose primary job is record keeping and keeps talking about "sex-offenders" so everyone is scared into voting for him but if you have ever spent any time with Joe Turner (and I have) the only issue that matters to him is illegal immigrants. It would be ignorant to think that he isn't planning on using the position of city clerk to go after illegal immigrants. His failed school board campaign and his failed initiative were focused on that issue. Specifically in his failed initiative he focused on legislating rentals for illegal immigrants.

If Joe is elected the city council will have its hands full trying to keep him within the boundaries of the job. I would predict multiple lawsuits as Joe re-interprets the role of city clerk. I would not be surprised if he tried to get his current employer a city contract to check the immigration status of all applicants for city licenses, or some other crazy business.

Joe Turner is unfit to be city clerk. Vote Rachel Clark for City Clerk

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Nov. 5, 11:40 a.m.

SB Watcher writes:

Mr Brinker,

If the city of San Bernardino required businesses wanting city contracts to verify the legal status of their employees, wouldn't that be following the law? All employers, and the city is employing the business, are required by law to hire "legal" workers. Don't you, Mr Brinker, support the law?

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Nov. 5, 11:03 p.m.
Tobin Brinker writes:

I do support the law. I don't support Joe Turner or his racist views. My point about Turner was that he might try to benefit his current employer and place the city at risk of lawsuits by overstepping the boundaries of the assigned duties of the city clerk (which are clearly defined in the city charter).

Among his many flaws, Joe Turner lacks judgement. I say that because he willfully mis-represents the duties of the city clerk and tries to blame Rachel Clark for the "Sex Offenders" in our city- through a twisted interprestation of how business licenses work. He distorts logic even more with his attempt to hold the city clerks office responsible for sales tax collection which is a function of the State Board of Equalization.

The shameless lies that Turner has told in an attempt to get himself elected are a clear indication of how unfit he is to serve.

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Nov. 5, 11:25 p.m.

Joseph Turner writes:

Councilman Brinker:

It is interesting that you would suggest that I am the one who shamelessly lies.

Afterall, it was you who told me and others in a face to face meeting that you opposed Measure Z.

A couple of weeks later, you did a 180 and became a staunch advocate for higher taxes.

It is laughable that you seek to portray yourself as a Reagan Republican...perhaps, a John Kerry Republican is more appropriate.

Then you later stated that you had received the endorsement of the San Bernardino Valley Republican Assembly, when you hadn't.

Another lie, another flip-flop.

Then, being the man of principle that we all know you are, you resigned from the San Bernardino Valley Republican Assembly this year because of my membership in the organization.

You state that I am a racist, which is obviously predicated on my illegal immigration work. However, when you were seeking the endorsement of the SBVRA, you didn't mind the fact that I was a member then.

Later, when the San Bernardino Police Officers' Association endorsed my candidacy, you did not reject the endorsement of the Police Officers. Even more telling was the fact that you did not return any contributions you had received from the SBPOA.

Mr. Brinker, I am glad you are a man of principles and conviction. I just wished they extended past your lips and into your wallet.

You state I have racist views, yet you never elaborate on what makes those views racist. But again, why debate facts and logic when you can smear someone with innuendo.

Of course, your definition of racism would never include mail targeting Hispanics such as was practiced by Clark's campaign...but I digress.

With respect to Rachel Clark and the sales tax issue, it is obvious you haven't watched the candidate interview she did with Mayor Judith Valles. In that interview she clearly states that the City Clerk's office performs periodic sales tax audits. Now, why would she do that if sales tax collection is the sole responsibility of the BOE?

Thanks for participating in the discourse, Mr. Brinker. Your devotion to political expediency is endearing.

P.S. If I sent you an autographed copy of a Webster's dictionary, would you use it?
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