Here it is…
When we think about the financial meltdown cash-strapping America, we usually think about the shrinking job pool, toxic housing market and weakened bank industry.
But there are other things being affected by this economic downturn, something near and dear to the hearts of our local politicos — campaign fundraising.
In Monterey Park, some of the six City Council candidates running in the March 3 race are having a bit of trouble filling their campaign piggy banks.
So far, Councilman David Lau has raised nearly $75,000, but none of that occurred this year. Most of the money actually was raised during one event.
Councilwoman Sharon Martinez hasn’t had as much luck. She’s only raised $10,000 because businesses — where she gets her most of her contributions — are just tapped out.
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Speaking of money, San Gabriel Valley city managers are dealing with the fiscal crunch in a variety of ways.
Temple City’s City Attorney/City Manager Charles Martin has offered to work for free after his Feb. 5 retirement if the city can’t find his replacement before then.
In a report earlier this month, Martin said he “would be happy to return the benefit of my 44-year tenure with the City by continuing in office, even if I had to serve as a volunteer.”
Martin gets $96,696 a year for his duties as city manager and an additional $61,980 annually for being city attorney.
On the other side of the spectrum, La Verne City Manager Martin Lomeli just got a 10 percent pay raise, which takes him from $14,741 a month to $16,215 a month. His yearly salary will be $194,580.
The only dissenting vote was from Councilman Steven Johnson.
Temple City has 33,377 residents, and La Verne has 31,638.
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It wouldn’t be a week of political news without an update from the Hilda Solis race.
The already long — and we mean long — list of endorsements for state Board of Equalization Chairwoman Judy Chu now includes her husband, Assembly Mike Eng, and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta.
A lot of Chu’s support is local, although several San Gabriel Valley politicians have come out in support of Sen. Gil Cedillo.
They include Monterey Park Mayor Frank Venti, La Puente Councilman John Solis and Baldwin Park Councilwoman Marlen Garcia.
And those who just can’t decide? Irwindale Councilman Larry Burrola and Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano have endorsed both candidates.
I guess the real test will come inside the voting booth.
