Council candidate forum notes: The 2nd Ward contest
The 2nd Ward race features incumbent Dennis Baxter and challenger Jason Desjardins. Here are some notes from Tuesday night's candidate forum:
The debate between Baxter and Desjardins escalated as the two-hour forum progressed. Desjardins attacked Baxter for supporting an eastside redevelopment plan and voting against a ban on group homes for parolees or sex offenders.
Opponents of the redevelopment plan say the the effort is doomed to attract parolees to eastside apartments and Desjardins asserted that Baxter supports subsidized housing for parolees.
"Mr. Baxter's approach just makes no sense," Desjardins said.
Baxter, however, said he voted against the group home prohibition because he doesn't think the moratorium that was already on the books stopped parolees from moving to San Bernardino and that he doesn't expect the new ordinance to hold up in court.
"It was a bad piece of legislation," Baxter said.
Police have reported that the number of parolees living in San Bernardino increased while a moratorium on group homes was on the books.
The eastside redevelopment plan, approved this summer by a 4-3 City Council vote, has become an issue in the 4th Ward and mayoral race as well.
The basics of the redevelopment plan involve the use of federal money to purchase foreclosed and abandoned apartments on Sunrise Lane and 19th Street, near the site of the now-demolished (and formerly notorious) apartments of the "Arden Guthries." The San Bernardino Economic Development Agency would also have to pay to help relocate current tenants and rehabilitated apartments would be managed by a nonprofit called Mary Erickson Community Housing.
Redevelopment supporters say the project will reduce the overall number of apartments in the area and has potential to reduce crime, since the nonprofit will be charged with screening out potential troublemakers. Opponents have fixed on legal requirements that rehabilitated apartments be let to low-income earners to contend the plan will ultimately create a haven for criminals.
Mayor Pat Morris, along with Baxter and 4th Ward incumbent Joe Arnett Fred Shorett all supported the plan. Desjardins, City Attorney James F. Penman, who is running for mayor and 4th Ward challenger Joe Arnett have all said they will seek to reverse the project's approval.
Baxter also attacked Desjardins. Desjardins owns Big Z Auto Works and entered the race after speaking against the ultimately-rejected plan to create a city managed tow impound yard. Desjardins and other towing contractors said the proposal would have resulted in city government stealing their business to balance the city's budget.
Baxter, general manager of A.M. radio station KCAA, said that unlike his opponent, he has "no big fat city contracts" to sustain his income.
Desjardins has said that he will have to sell his towing business to avoid a conflict of interest if he wins.
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Andrew Edwards. E-mail Andrew here.
If Desjardin wants to clean up blight, he can start by cleaning his business. What a sh@t hole.
My vote goes to Baxter, he totally rocked in the debates.
I think that Desjardins thinks he has a chance to beat Baxter. LMAO. Do you really think ward 2 wants an outsider like Desjardins? No way, Baxter was born, raised and lives in Ward 2. He is our candidate!
Desjardins never mentioned why he left law enforcement after a few years. The truth be known he was a screw up, and was never going to get promoted. I know many of ward 2 residents have proudly served in our military, and knows if you get skipped over twice for promotion you might as well DD214. Same thing in law enforcement. Desjardins left because he was going no where. I hate to break it to Mr Desjardin but Mr Baxter is well loved in our ward just like Ms. Estrada is well loved in her ward. Guess you picked the wrong neighborhood to carpetbag in Mr Jesdardin. Do what you do best, start packing your bags. Moving day is coming soon when we vote Mr Baxter in for another four years!
Andrew, in your post (4th paragraph from the bottom)you say "4th ward incumbent Joe Arnett..." I think you meant Fred Shorett.
Correction,
Thanks for the tip.
Andrew Edwards
October 5, 2009 5:39 PM
Gary Moore said:
Dear Mr. Pine, Editor, San Bernardino Sun:
It has been brought to my attention by the City Clerk's Office that Jason Desjardins has not, as of this a.m., filed any of the required forms regarding his campaign organization (Form 410) or the required filing, declaring donations and expenditures (Form 460), nor a Form 470, declaring he is not going to spend more than $1000. These filings are required by the Political Reform Act of 1974. My understanding is that the City Clerk has written Mr. Desjardins a letter requesting him to come into compliance. He has yet to respond to the Clerk's letter.
Mr. Desjardins has made a statements that he was all for "transparency" in government, although he has not filed any of these forms. Jason also says he is for eliminating blight and graffiti even though his business, Big Z towing, has numerous code violations which has been brought to your attention before. If you dont believe me, go look for yourself. It just seems very odd to me that Mr. Edwards has not followed-up on these matters. It seems to me that your newspaper owes it to the voters of the 2nd Ward and the citizens of San Bernardino, to put Mr. Desjardins on record regarding these obvious violations of State and City laws. No one, not Jason or any other candidate, should get a free pass.
October 5, 2009 4:09 PM
Hey Psuedo Gary Moore, I dont know what you are up to, but apparently there are two Gary Moores. I dont know Will, Kim, or Debbie or any other of your make believe people. Slander: What I said above is factual and true and reflects poorly on Jason as a candidate and a person. Jason should practice what he preaches. At this point, Jason comes off as a carpet-bagging hypocrite.