West Valley Journal September 2012 : Page 2
Page 2 B eachcomBer Monterey Park Journal / West Valley Journal September 2012 Is Unity Possible? Journal Endorsements & Ballot Recommendations FOR STATE ASSEMBLY -49th District We support Edwin Chau for the 49th Assembly District office. Through his service in the Montebello Unified School District he has demonstrated his public service and has a personal priority of educating our children. The other candidate is a Republican who cannot be considered anything other than a Republican who will follow his party’s directions to destroy the middle class and harm public education. FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES We support the re-election of President Barak Obama. He is leading this country out of a recession caused by the policies of the previous adminis-tration. We must protect the middle class by re-electing President Obama. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: For U.S. House of Representatives Judy Chu For U.S. Senate: Diane Feinstein BALLOT MEASURES Proposition 30 --YES -protects school funding. Proposition 31 --NO, Overrides public health and environmental laws. Propositions 30 & 38 --YES, Tax Increase: this is the only way the state will get out of its financial mess. Proposition 32 --NO, Allows super PACs and corporate special interests to buy elections. Proposition 35 --YES, Increases penalties for human sex trafficking. Unity and teamwork are very difficult to achieve. On a national basis, we see the Democrats and Republicans taking completely opposite views on any issue. It seems that they take the opposite view of the others, just because “if it is their idea, I oppose it,” they seem to say. By Dave Barron, Sometimes it is the result of political and racial or Journal Editor cultural differences. Sometimes it is just political payback for past offenses. Other times, I suspect it is just envy of the others. Ever since the American Revolution, Americans have been at opposing views about what is right and what will work. It is a miracle that the 13 original colonies got together to revolt against Britain. On a local level, the state Legislature, school boards and city councils are often at odds over any particular issue. If there is no contentious debate, sometimes the citizens are concerned that there is a problem. In Monterey Park, the shorthanded council seems to agree on 99 percent of the important issues on the city agenda, but not on some basic political matters, that may have little to do with running the city. A proposed dog park grant application resulted in no debate. Nor did the Climate Action Plan, street work, an increase in the contract for the transit center at East L.A. get much attention. A lot of other routine things were easily approved recently. The council did discuss the merits gave thumbs down on the staff proposal to replace the city’s Cascade newsletter with an electronic news service. However, people are still talking about two efforts last month to fill a vacant planning commission position. Nominations for city commissions are purely political. Recognizing the political nature of these appointments, the council members came to an agreement some years ago to give each council person appointing power for at least one commissioner without debate, but requiring the council to ratify it. Recently, the council split, 2-2, on the appointment of a possible planning commissioner. Two times, a certain councilman attempted to make an appointment of his choice. His candidates were rejected both times with 2-2 votes. Some say the appointments and the opposition were purely political based on long-ago history. At the end, the losing councilman promised in some many words that he would get even. “What comes around, goes around,” he warned another council member. One observer asked me if this was new? The answer was no. During the last 20 years the Monterey Park City Council has been divided. Both former council members Frank Venti and Betty Chu were frustrated in their efforts to have their way. They typically were battling a majority led by Mike Ing, or before that, Judy Chu. Before that there were strong feelings between councilmen. There was a time when there were debates over who would be next mayor. Sometimes council member next in line would be skipped over because of political issues. In Rosemead, there is one council person who has been skipped over for the mayoral post, despite having more time in office than several others on the council. In Monterey Park, the venerable Louise Davis was passed over one time for the Mayor’s job because she opposed the use of redevelopment funds for new city hall and senior center. Surprisingly, the divisions are not based on Republicans vs. Democrats. The current council members are all registered Democrats. Go figure. Some observers just grin and laugh silently, “It makes for good television.” Embarrassed city employees and residents just walk away shaking their head. Others say, “Let them fight over these silly issues. Staff will take care of the basic decisions needed to provide services for city.” Monterey Park & West Valley Journal Visit us at our Internet home www.sgvjournal.com Published monthly with the help of writers, subscribers, community organizations and contributors and many Stakeholders David Barron, Editor & Publisher. Shel Segal, Associate Editor Judy Tung, Chinese Editor (West Valley Journal) Yoshiko Kamino, Graphics Contractor Leticia Platt, Accounting David Munoz, Photo Intern, Art Landing, Margie Ramirez, contributing photographer, and many news contributors. www.342255. spreadshirt.com P.O. Box 987, Monterey Park, CA 91754 Offices at 199 W. Garvey Ave., Ste. 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754 News@sgvjournal.com -(626) 572-7450 Published by Barron Communications
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