Open Forum: Would you run for council?

Yes I would, and maybe one day be a drunk lair and BS'er

I think the previous post is partial proof as to why many good people don't get into politics. Who would anyone want to serve thesmelves up for all variety of petty slander hiding behind the apron strings of the First Amendment. Why would you want to be fodder for a website like this. You don't INFORM the public; YOU SIMPLY DISTRACT from the real issues and solutions with a think haze of unverified hearsay, irrelevant gossip and flat out recycled falsehoods. This is not what the Founding Fathers envisioned as vigorous pubulc discourse.

Any one with common sence would run for cover! That is about it.
You could not pay me enough to put up with so much lies, games, non-sence and cover ups that take place in cities through out the San Gabriel Valley.

Yes. If the "powers to be" in a given city would give me a chance, instead of playing games to a litmus test. Then, again I thought the "powers to be" are the voters who serve as a consent of the govern.

Geez, can't even get appointed to a City Commission (i.e., Planning, Parks and Rec, etc.), so whats the use.

We should encourage people run for office and start questioning those in office without fear of intimidation or reprisal.

Yes. If the "powers to be" in a given city would give me a chance, instead of playing games to a litmus test. Then, again I thought the "powers to be" are the voters who serve as a consent of the govern.

Geez, can't even get appointed to a City Commission (i.e., Planning, Parks and Rec, etc.), so whats the use.

We should encourage people run for office and start questioning those in office without fear of intimidation or reprisal.

The city councils and school boards have gained soo much power due to the fact people just don't want to get involved. We all have no one to blame but ourselves. We have let illiterate people who need extra money and perks run our cities. These people are just like welfare abusers they have been taught by their parents and friends how to use the system and milk the gray train. They get paid for all these meetings, conferences, unaudited cell phone comps,unaudited car allowance and they get full medical benifits. The cities have hired consulants to run the city because they don't understand bussines. In the old days cities were run by retired successful bussines men that didn't have their hands out all the time because they weren't doing it for the money they actually cared. We need the people to come out and help the people who are trying to form a honest government for the people and not for out of town developers trying to make a buck on the poor and uninformed people. It's time to stop whining and come to board and council meetings get informed and help the people who are trying to help the whole city do the right thing. When people try to help the citizens out the crooked politicians and big developers label the people crazy, out of towners, low life bussines owners and label their stores amigo stores. IT'S TIME TO RID ALL THE CITIES OF THESE LOW LIFE PARASITES AND FORM HONEST GOVERNMENT THEN MAYBE WE CAN TAKE OUR STATE AND COUNTRY BACK ALSO LET'S GO. These people count on you doing nothing and they try to intimate and bully you if you do.

"The cities have hired consulants to run the city because they don't understand bussines. In the old days cities were run by retired successful bussines men that didn't have their hands out all the time because they weren't doing it for the money they actually cared."

At least be able to spell business properly.

Anonymous, you are so petty.

It's funny how people with political agendas hold themselves out saviours of the people on this website. You people are nothing more than the obverse side of the same rusty coin. You hate those in power not so much for their abuse of power but more for the fact that you can't be there abusing it for yourself. The problems with local government are more systemic than which hack politician (or whatever political or ideological stripe) keeps the seats warm in the City Council chambers. The problem is that to win office you need money no matter who you are and money has a sad way of making too many people forget their convictions. Second the public is simply too damn apathetic - we will go out of our way to partcipate in all variety of brainless activities but carp and complain at the though of having to go to a council meeting. That my friend is why local government doesn't work.

TO THE POSTER WHO POSTED THIS. WHAT SORT OF REVISIONIST/FANTASY READING DO YOU READ. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN WITH THE INACURACCIES OF YOUR STATEMENT:

Anonymous said:
"The cities have hired consulants to run the city because they don't understand bussines. In the old days cities were run by retired successful bussines men that didn't have their hands out all the time because they weren't doing it for the money they actually cared."

Newly elected young councilmembers are not very bright. Most of them do it for the money and insurance for their family, and the free vacations they make out of their so called "conferences." They travel all over the US and other countries with their spouses and significant others. They use city credit cards for expensive food, night clubing, room service,liquor and rental of cars.
It seems that they run for office for the fun of it. They help elect their friends into office,so that they have "total" control and power on the city council. Any one that does not "vote" or "play" their way is gotten rid of. These "others" are made fun of at council meetings, ignored, never get their agenda items passed and are considered out casts by the rest of the city council and city manager. Even the city manager takes his "marching orders" from the powers that be, or the majority. They are never prepared for a council meeting, since they don't bother to read their agengs. That is why council meetings tend to go very long.They enjoy the lime light and the status more than anything else. They are very competative and jealous of one another. They gather in herds at local night clubs and any place that serves free liquor. They demand to be wined and dinned by those businesses that contract with cities. Especially law firms, engineering firms, trash companies, developers and city managers. They are too high maintenance and most have an ego the size of the moon. They tend to have the city manager, or department heads, employ their family and friends with city jobs. It has become total kaos at many, many cities through out the San Gabriel Valley.

It is funny to me how council is so worried about the Chamber investing back into the community, while they collectively pocket all the money and than some. Take your own advice and reinvest into the commumity!!!!

If you look at City Council, they are all about "clicks", just like high school. They are not in their positions to serve the community, but to serve themselves, their friends & family, and their campaign contributers (they do not give money for nothing). Look at the individuals arguing; they have been arguing for years. Some individuals NEVER grow up and unfortunately, the community as a whole loses.

City Council members do not get paid much in their salary, but definately make up for it in the NUMEROUS perks they receive from individuals & special interest organizations that wine and dine them. Also, these poor individuals feel they are God because of a meaningless title.
As for speaking up against these individuals many have and they have reprimanded or in some cases accusations we ignored. Just look at the Council Member in Rosemead sexually harrassing an employee, Baldwin Park School Board member on drugs and vandalism and recently the Mayor of El Monte drunk in public in a city event.

If you look at City Council, they are all about "clicks", just like high school. They are not in their positions to serve the community, but to serve themselves, their friends & family, and their campaign contributers (they do not give money for nothing). Look at the individuals arguing; they have been arguing for years. Some individuals NEVER grow up and unfortunately, the community as a whole loses.

City Council members do not get paid much in their salary, but definately make up for it in the NUMEROUS perks they receive from individuals & special interest organizations that wine and dine them. Also, these poor individuals feel they are God because of a meaningless title.
As for speaking up against these individuals many have and they have reprimanded or in some cases accusations we ignored. Just look at the Council Member in Rosemead sexually harrassing an employee, Baldwin Park School Board member on drugs and vandalism and recently the Mayor of El Monte drunk in public in a city event.

If you look at City Council, they are all about "clicks", just like high school. They are not in their positions to serve the community, but to serve themselves, their friends & family, and their campaign contributers (they do not give money for nothing). Look at the individuals arguing; they have been arguing for years. Some individuals NEVER grow up and unfortunately, the community as a whole loses.

City Council members do not get paid much in their salary, but definately make up for it in the NUMEROUS perks they receive from individuals & special interest organizations that wine and dine them. Also, these poor individuals feel they are God because of a meaningless title.
As for speaking up against these individuals many have and they have reprimanded or in some cases accusations we ignored. Just look at the Council Member in Rosemead sexually harrassing an employee, Baldwin Park School Board member on drugs and vandalism and recently the Mayor of El Monte drunk in public in a city event.

Al Gore is a great example of how an individual can effectively make a difference and get the right message out by not being an elected official.

There are too many politicians (bought by special interests money) and not enough statesmen (care about well being of future generations). Albraham Lincoln was a great statesman.

I don't think so. politics is too nasty and mean spirited. More about playing gotcha than having frank discussions about the problems that face the city.

To the poster before the poster talking about Al Gore (who is a really great person by the way), what's with the multiple posting of the same comment over and over and over again? Is your computer broken? Sounds like your trying to propagandize something.

Oh, HELLLLLL NO!!!! Why would I want to do that? That's insanity!

Of all the cities around El Monte would be my first choice. The current mayor and city council are protected by the city attorney, city manager and the city police. They get away with lies, accidents, over spending a cities budget and getting drunk around town. That would be the ideal city to be in. Everyones cover your back side. What a great deal. Now what are the perks? An interested uneducated, unemployed honest, but poor candidate for mayor of El Monte.

El Monte...land of opportunity...liquor...corruption...
bad mayors and the worst councilmembers ever. Come one,come all. Spin the wheel and win a chance of a life time. A life time of good ole fashioned crooked politicians, liars, tramps and thieves. El Monte.