San Bernardino's 4th Ward Race: Arnett versus Shorett
Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO - The contest to represent the city's 4th Ward is a rematch between Joe Arnett and Fred Shorett.
Shorett defeated Arnett in the March 17 special election to serve the remainder of former Councilman Neil Derry's term.
Derry left the council after being elected to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
Although Shorett earned more than 72 percent of the votes in March, both candidates expect the Nov. 3 election, whoever wins, to be closer.
Some of Shorett's past supporters are now backing Arnett after a realignment that hinged on a debate over Fire Department staffing.
Shorett lost the support of the firefighters' union and council members Chas Kelley and Wendy McCammack after siding with a council majority that rejected Kelley's bid to reverse Fire Department budget cuts.
The reductions excised jobs that had been filled by firefighters working overtime shifts. No firefighters were laid off, but the council did trim the number of crew members on some fire engines from four to three.
Safety laws do mandate that for every two firefighters who enter a burning building, two more must wait outside to rescue their teammates if something goes wrong.
The rule does not apply if it's immediately obvious that someone inside a burning building needs to be saved.
Multiple engines roll out to structure fires, so three-person crews can expect backup. Firefighters' union members, however, have additional units may not arrive in time to prevent the rapid expansion of a fire or brain death.
Fire Chief Michael Conrad has said the cuts do not jeopardize public safety. Shorett and other council members have said they want four-person crews but cannot afford them in the midst of a budget crisis.
Arnett and others have responded that frontline firefighters are too important to be cut.
Joe Arnett
Arnett, 38, is an information technology manager at Loma Linda University who rebuilt his home after it was destroyed nearly six years ago by the Old Fire.
He considers San Bernardino government to be hamstrung by waste, misplaced priorities and a lack of initiative.
Arnett, who does not consider himself a member of any political slate, has received political support from McCammack, the council's de facto minority leader. McCammack is also allied with City Attorney James F. Penman, who is challenging Mayor Pat Morris' bid for reelection.
Regarding the fire staffing issue, Arnett says enough money can be found to pay for the cut positions even as the city's tax revenues plummet.
For example, he says City Hall erred in choosing to acquire new trucks for its graffiti abatement crew, gave a too-generous contract to new City Manager Charles McNeely and should not have allocated funding for a new city spokesman's position.
"I've characterized this as a series of small, but incremental misappropriations," he said.
Arnett also finds irony in his opponent's description of the firefighters' union as a "special interest" since Shorett accepted the union's support and campaign contributions during the special election campaign.
The challenger dismisses criticism that the fire staffing issue is more about overtime pay for firefighters than protecting the public.
Arnett said, as Fire Department administrators have also noted, that it is cheaper for the city to pay overtime than hire additional firefighters who would receive costly benefits package in addition to their pay.
Arnett said he likes the ideas of lowering fees and creating a "one-stop shop" for businesses and developers seeking various permits. He also thinks City Hall needs to be assertive in attracting top notch employers.
A biofuel firm, he said, could be a perfect fit, given the San Bernardino area's status as a logistics hub.
"To me, it seems so logical," Arnett said. "I don't see why they wouldn't want to partner with us."
Fred Shorett
Shorett, 62, is a freelance sales contractor and a Vietnam veteran.
In about six months on the council, Shorett has often voted with the council majority that supports the policies of Mayor Morris.
Shorett has confidence in key city leaders like the city manager and fire chief but is alarmed about the city's financial condition.
"The issues are the economic health of this community. That's being lost in the shuffle," Shorett said.
Arnett has accused Shorett of breaking a promise to support public safety. Shorett responds that he has always supported the police officers' and firefighters' work.
But Shorett disagrees that there is enough city money to restore firefighting positions in the near future. He also contends that the Fire Department can protect San Bernardino residents at its current staffing levels.
In Shorett's view, having four-person engine companies would be ideal, but he considers the current debate to be more about union efforts to sweeten firefighters' paychecks than immediate public safety needs.
"I'll be the first person to be talking about that when we're economically healthy again," Shorett said.
Unlike his opponent, Shorett thinks the decision to create a new job for a city spokesman was a smart move. The council voted in July to create a position for a new communications manager who could be paid $8,850 to $10,757 per month.
The council approved it by a one-vote margin. McNeely reported at the time that the position would be financed so as not to affect the general fund, but those voting against the plan said they did not want to create a highly paid position months after issuing pink slips to some city employees.
`That's a tool to do the job that the city manager has to do," said Shorett, adding that the money spent on that individual would not cover the costs of hiring a single new firefighter.
One of Shorett's campaign themes is the phrase "capital follows certainty." He maintains the frequency of 4-3 votes produces uncertainty that can discourage business owners.
"We've got to eliminate and get rid of the personal politics in City Hall - that means all departments," he said.
"We need to have not unanimity, but more working together, all on the same page trying to get a job done and walking away from the issue once it's over," Shorett added.
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Shorett's vote to cut fire services is a huge blow to 4th Ward residents who have suffered from two major fires in recent years.
Even worse was Shorett's vote in favor of the low income housing project at Arden Guthrie that will bring more crime to the 4th Ward. No wonder the Police Officers Association is opposing Shorett's re-election!
Shorett has broken his promises repeatedly. He promised to be "independent" but has voted in lock step with the Mayor. He promised to oppose low income housing and then voted for the Arden Guthrie project. He promised to be fiscally responsible and then voted for a costly new PR flack for the City Manager.
Shorett's broken promises do not sit well with 4th Ward voters. That's why so many of his former supporters are now supporting Joe Arnett.
Shorett's vote against public safety are coming back to haunt him in the conservative 4th Ward. He's been voting like Rikki Van Johnson! That's not what 4th Ward voters had in mind when they supported Shorett in March. 4th Ward voters won't make that mistake again in November.
It is obvious by looking at the time stamp that the above three entries is the same person. With that said, I had not decided who I was going to vote for for Mayor until last night. I voted for Penman 4 years ago. However, this year I will be voting for Morris as is my entire family. This means 7 new votes for Morris. I have noticed how Penman always brings up the parolee housing as an issue each election season. Last night I got to hear from some of the folks that are involved with Sober Living. I had never thought that it is better that homes are available for these people to go to. Parolees have to go back to the county where their crime was committed.
McCammack, Kelley and Penman are simply out of control. McCammack acts like the voters can't read what the EDA has listed on this subject of Arden Guthry. On this issue I had done my homework. It is like taking one word and splitting hairs. We all get what has been approved by the council. McCammack is the one that looks foolish!!! I do not like the disrespect she showed our Mayor last night.
It is sad really. I wonder how much more we could accomplish as a city with out these three obstructionist. Kelley's behavior could only be characterized as childish. It really was like bratty children playing in a sandbox. I was embarrassed for each of them.
We can make a difference by voting for Estrada, Baxter, Shorett, and Morris. We need to recall Penman, or vote him out in 2 years along with Mccamack and Kelley.
RECALL PENMAN
I notice that "Enough Already" didn't dispute the fact that Shorett broke his promises to the residents of the 4th Ward. Regardless of whom you are supporting for Mayor, vote for integrity by voting for Joe Arnett for 4th Ward City Council!
Hey Lawman, You are dead wrong on Shorett. He broke no promise to the Union or the Voters. He promised the voters that he would not be bought or bossed by any special interest like the Union. He promised the Union he would have an open door and an open mind. I dont know what promises you are talking about, but you are just dead wrong.
Goodbye to Penman, McCammack, and Kelley.
Let's start by recalling Penman!!!!!!!!!!
He publicly promised to oppose low income housing in the Inland Valley Realtors questionnaire last February. Then he voted for the Arden Guthrie low income housing project! That has nothing to do with any union. It has to do with a lack of integrity!
Hey Fred,
I am back in your corner.
After last night's carnival, and seeing how Arnett is bedding down with Kelley and McCammack, and the idea of limiting free speech to McNeely or any one, not wanting to be critiqued in public,and the spend all monies, wether you have it or not, is just plain bass-ackward! That twerp stole money from us and and then act out like he did at the council chambers, he is totally out of control and Joe wants in with him? Forget you Joe. You need your head examined. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT MACCAMMACK WAS SMARTER THAN THAT, but so be it.
Fred, you got to keep the cash register safe from the raiders across the isle! You and I can talk or e-mail on the A/G issue. But, you need to stop the spend all, waste all actions we have seen or had waged against us recently. The Firemen are just being childish. If they can't handle the job, or the fact that the city is close to broke and they aren't gonna get their ice cream on the precious payroll cake, then stuff it. There is a bunch of replacements waiting to take their place in a heart beat!
The firemen can break the city ( bankrupt it) and lose any way, or get smart and grow up. What are they gonna do? Refuse to fight fires, delay service times, act sullen at a fire, because they are spoiled? I don't think they even want to go there. I would be of the first to sign up on a class action on them.
Heroes one day, cry babies the next. They have jobs, while the nation is realing from jobless and home losses! Spoiled brats! And they support Joe Arnett, Kelley and Mac cammack and Penman?
HHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
SNAFU!!!!!
I was impressed of the technique to walk out and leave council with no quorum!
S T, I'd take the endorsement and support of city firefighters over a nut case like you any day. Arnett is looking like a winner!
Lawman??? Curious "NOM DE PLUME"". Unless you are one. Wouldn't expect officer of the court to stupe to name calling, but there are some that squeak by I guess. And you are freee to speak your mind set.
ENDORSEMENTS FROM OUT OF TOWNERS, what-ever blows your skirt up!!!
To all you people who think my opponent hasn't broken his promises. Watch this video. http://bit.ly/3pi2ua
The facts don't lie, and there is a lot more where that came from. Also, a quick comparison of his March and November campaign ballot statements seem to tell a different story. But don't take my word for it. Compare the documents, I'll be happy to provide them to anyone who asks me.
On another item - Walking out of the council meeting last night was disgraceful.
Capital follows certainty, right? So I'm told. But for leaders to simply walk away when they don't get their way or don't like the topic of discussion. I say, "You are not fit to lead."
ST says the Firemen are being childish. At least they will stand and fight, and they will rush to your emergency in spite of the fact you disagree with them or me personally.
What they won't do is simply walk away like the incumbent did last night. I can't think of any better example of what not to do if you are attempting to develop a business certain environment. Yet another example of saying one thing and doing another.
Well, Mr. Arnett;
Let me understand this. An endorsement from the endorsers, means:
you must vote for their needs above the good of many?
You owe your agenda to the endorsers?
You must "cow-tow" to their money and wimperings?
You must blindly follow their side of the story?
You can't use good common business sense in budgeting if it is contrary to your endorsers' demands?
You must follow your endorsers' demands and not be a leader?
Soooo, who are your endorsers Mr. Arnett?
What do you owe them? HHMMMMM?
What do you plan on giving to M-7 and K-5's wards?
Going to give more of our ward's money away, what ever is left?
That "cat fight at the carnival"(aka, council meeting) needed to be stopped. Walking off the dias was unique and not the first time ever done. I suppose you would have just tried to out shout everyone??? We've seen too much of that over the last 30 years. End the meeting and wait till there is decorum, or go home and let the electorate see who is left and why.
There is an old saying" you can't fight with your self,but if you do, dont lose,or complain about the out come". HHMMMMMMMMMMM???
On the firemen standing and fighting; generally, that is true, generally. I will not dispute that using another man's argument; as that would make it a third party issue. But there is some weakness in that declaration from or during some of recent incidents in our foothills.
Walking away from a cat fight Vs. a fire; is apples to oranges and a poor comparison to say the least.
Lives in danger Vs. shouting match in the camera's eyes for making a point or not, is not the same.
I will say this for all incumbents and aspiring candidates, it takes a certain type of dedication to accept $50 a month to take the whipping they do from the "mushrooms in the dark room" as Mr. Ortiz put it the other night, almost masochisitic(sp) or ego inflating.
Most voters care about issues--and Shorett has abandoned his own constituents by voting for the Arden Guthrie low-income housing project and voting to cut fire safety services in the 4th Ward.
4th Ward residents are supporting Joe Arnett because he will 1) oppose the Arden Guthrie project; 2) restore fire safety cuts that have put neighborhoods at risk; and 3) return integrity to the Council by keeping the promises he makes to the voters.
Attention Candidates: Get abck to what really matters to us in the 4th ward. Low taxes, restore picturesque beauty, reduce blight, improve roads, fix street lights, and restore libraries and parks to its full glory! Arnett--cut your 1-2 on crime and fire--WE GOT IT! Get back to what matters to constituents! Less red-tape, less taxes! Ane PLEASE stop w/ the algae/bio fuel crap and your Old Fire story--get over it already! Shorett: put up some better signs--your signs on 2x4 are tattered and shot out! Tip--replace them! Oh, one other thing Shorett, SPEAK UP and look into the camera and DONT be afraid to say your mind! Chew on a cough drop, stop stammering and SPIT IT OUT!! (It seemed that youngster-J VALDIVIA-busted both your chops-last 'special' election!) Anyhow, I am still undecided, but am favoring Arnett.
4 ward TIPS: Thank you. Your comments are the first real constructive things I've read on this blog. Lowering taxes, city beautification, reducing blight, improving roads, fixing street lights, and restoring libraries and parks to their full glory is exactly what I want to do. Your criticisms of my campaing strategy are valid and noted but that is all part of political campaigning. I'd much rather not talk about myself but about things that matter to the residents. Any chance your looking to be more involved? Like Valdivia who is supports me, I'm always looking for good people to help fix our problems and provide honest straight forward dialogue even when we don't agree on everything. Best Regards, Joe Arnett
Shorett wouldn't begin to know how to dialogue on this or any other blog. He can't even say the word BLIGHT. He says Blythe?!?! He contradicts himself so often, I feel sorry for the guy. Hey, Fred, it's Blechinger, pronounced Bleckinger. At least get her name right if you are going to promote her fundraising events. That is kind of rude, actually.
Morris! Morris!
He's our mayor!
Gettin' crime up & out of here!
He brought us new businesses!... Read More
And office spaces, too!
So you've got a J-O-B here ~
If you're collar's white, or if it's blue!
Tired of all those folks
at our city pokin' jokes?
Show 'em Morris' decorum
if you really want to floor 'em!
Yeah, we had our downturn
our ashes in the can -
but that chapter's had to adjourn -
We're rising with Mayor Morris, the Can-Do! man!
The time has come for payback -
The ol' quid pro quo
And like the tired ol' swayback -
Penman wants to be our beau...
"To heck with that", is what I say -
I've had my fill of that twit!
He can bellow, bark & bray -
But he can't lead or solve worth SPIT!
I want a town for me & mine
with civility, calm and charm -
Not some Dantean pit with swine
running amok and causing harm!
Mayor Morris is the mayor for me,
as anyone may plainly see.
He's revived our town - our spirits SOAR,
So we clamor, "Four Years More!"
Sory....been out of town on vacation with the Hubby.
So, Ar"nut's" one-trick pony could not hunt. Well Chris, looks like there may be a crack in the sink...too bad firefighter's don't vote.
Thank God that the public was smart enough to figure out that it is better to cast a vote than buy one.
The real apology goes to Mrs. Ar"nutt"...afterall, she wears the pants in the family....sorry honey, no crown today. Now you can go back to raising those kids.....twins? They look just like Hubby.
Anyway, gotta go get ready for the 'recall' of our city attorney. See you around the water cooler.