How we trust the men and women in blue may be an age-old question, but this time it is not from the usual perspective. We know that in San Jose we have an outstanding contingent of officers who add credit to the uniform in most every encounter. This has long been the tradition of the San Jose PD. But politics reared its ugly head during the regime of the current mayor when the Police Officers Association (POA) freely gave thousands of dollars to an informal slush fund. This dwarfed the small amounts of money that has been given to all past candidates and previous mayors.
Then, in an unheard of breech of etiquette and common sense, the POA endorsed Cindy Chavez for Mayor without even an interview with the other candidates that include two sitting council members and a deputy DA. How did this happen? Was there a behind-the-scenes quid pro quo—dollars and an endorsement in return for the ratification of the new POA Labor deal?
If that is the case, then Cindy Chavez deserves to be criticized. However, the real blame should go to the bosses of the POA, who so cavalierly sell themselves, and the spineless members of the city administration, who not once, but twice, rolled over for monumental increases in police compensation. The leader of the POA, Don Demers, then abruptly retired and, with “Mission Accomplished” on his radio antennae, fled to some unknown location, leaving this unfortunate situation behind. There will be a reckoning in future budgets as the city is forced to live with two consecutive poor financial decisions that will make the Grand Prix dollars look like a bad paint job on the hull of the Titanic.
It is one thing to endorse a competent person like Chavez, but then, to add insanity to fiscal imprudence, the POA followed that with the endorsement, in District 3, of the ethically-challenged Manny Diaz, formally of District 5 and the California Assembly, over crusading DA, Sam Liccardo. Now that is one for the books. Many are asking when the rank and file officers will say that enough is enough and take back their organization, saving it from future embarrassment and the city from political shadiness.
Are you serious? let me say that again,..ARE YOU SERIOUS?
What’s going on in this friggin town of ours?! Should I even say that? “This friggin town?” It seems like it isn’t “our” town, city or anything…
I am really, really concerned about how all the stars are lining up in favor of Chavez and Mr Diaz…something is amiss and when it all comes out, we the citizenry will be paying the cost.
I think I got it.
CH likes, loves, and lives for unions right?
Then lets start a citizens union!
Citizens can then join the ‘party’ by having our citizen bosses hooking up with CH in shadowy backrooms cutting deals that benefit … the citizens.
I will be voting for Dave Pandori for Mayor and Ken Yeager for County Supervisor.
Tomorrow night, Thursday May 4th at 7pm, the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association will be hosting a mayoral forum at Burnett Academy on Hedding between 2nd and 4th Sts. It will be moderated by the Mercury News’ Scott Herhold and will feature candidates asking other candidates questions which I don’t believe has been done before. It should make for some interesting discussion!
Like I said before, If you vote for anyone thats been in constant contact with the currant mayor your looking for more mishap and misuse of taxpayers money , The smart thing to do is vote for DAVE PANDORI FOR MAYOR !!
One of the ironies is that whoever gets elected has to deal with the budget deficit and then explain how the streets, parks, libraries and community centers can’t be maintained because we have to pay the police pension fund. I’d like to see the candidates answer that question at their next forum. Added irony is the credit some are taking for “creating” new facilities like community centers only to close them or turn them over to non-profits that pay staff pitifully in comparisom to city employees. Nice union stand eh?
Public safety unions don’t exist to make the city safer. Public safety unions exist to make sure that more city cash goes to public safety employees.
A union endorsement means the union thinks the candidate will give more city money to members of the union.
That’s all. I’ve heard from union reps dozens of times, and every time there is some angle for getting more benefits, salary, or bonus pay.
Sam Liccardo is the obvious choice for D3. I will be appalled if Manny Diaz wins…please spread the word for Sam!
#7 Dan
Good choice with Pandori. I also think Yeager is a good man BUT. Lets compare their voting records and where they stand on the important land use issues before we cast our votes. Del Monte, I.B.M. #25, Markovitz and Fox, County Fairgrounds, Coyote Valley, NSJ, Tropicana, and the new ball park sight . I don’t know how they voted on all of these issues but I do remember being pleased with Linda and disappointed with Ken on several . Perhaps you or others could shine some light on their votes.
Thanks
It is not the police officers we have to fear, but the District Attorney’s Office.
Why there have not been more calls for investigation in that office is bewildering given the Mercury News and Metro expose’s on the culture in that office.
Karyn Sinunu hires her best friend, after he was convicted of drug possession, to head up the ethics department?
Nobody has a problem with that?
The debate regarding NorCal pales in comparison to the transgressions in the DA’s Office. No innocent people went to jail as a result of Ron’s actions.
Yet, the DA and his Chief Deputy get a free pass for what reason?
If you want to talk about corruption in government—start with a real scandal.
Manny served on the Planning Commission yet he has no grasp of land use issues. How did that happen?
I don’t know Liccardo well but I have spoken with him a few times. He’s worth giving a try.
I didn’t get interested in city politics until the Gonzalez/Chavez terms. Then for obvious reasons I got very interested so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes this time around.
#13. I have met Dave Pandori in his office and I have decided that amongst the three attornies running for Mayor he would be my choice. His vision of San Jose is very close to mine.
I had a couple of neighorhood issues come up which I brought to Ken Yeager’s attention and he had someone assigned to the item immediately and reseolved to everyone’s satisfaction. I don’t know a lot of his voting record on the council but I am willing to vote for him because he seems interested in doing a good job.
Dan,
Always happy to give you an answer.
The idea that you have to interview people to make an endorsement is absurd. The POA backs Cindy because she is an experienced public official on their issues—end of story.
You can disagree with compensating them for the work they do—but the public knows that the first priority of any government is to protect the public. Insuring our public safety officers have a livable wage is very important to the security of our City.
If you want to cut government, start with one of the nine assistant City Managers. Moreover, how can be begrudge officers on the street their pay when we routinely overpay the bureaucrats at City Hall and the City Manager just announced an additional 130+ positions in City government?
I’ll make everyone a deal, when the City Manager (who makes more than the Governor of California, takes a pay cut, cuts his staff and eliminates a couple of assistants and/or deputies—I’ll support renegotiating a contract with the men in blue.
Which do you think will happen first?
So Rich, how would the POA know what someone like Mulcahy’s stance in on their issues if they never talked to him? Or Pandori for that matter since he has been out of office for 8 years?
Rich, too bad you’re not a San Jose resident. I’d champion you as a write-in candidate because you know everything.
Rich #14,
Do we need a http://www.districtattorneyinside.com? Just checked with Network Solutions and it’s available.
Seriously, Tom has done a great job writing about San Jose issues that lead to good discussions here on SJI. We need somebody to do the same for the district attorney’s office.
Sorry Rich, the minute you use “absurd” because you didn’t understand someone’s post shows how much real substance your ideas have. I am no longer interested in debating your ideas because you are not a San Jose voter you are an outsider. Read all the posts carefully after you make a statement. You’ll find that most are no longer interested in your opinion. Especially since you are supporting a behind closed door dealer with questionable ethics Mr. Cupertino. No more debates with me. How much are you charging Ms. Chavez for your advice on her campaign?
SJ Downtowner,
David Pandori has a record, Mulcahy has no record and Cindy Chavez has the POA endorsement.
Greg,
Wish I knew everything, not possible. But that which I do know, I’m happy the share.
I neither have the patience nor desire to hold public office, but I admire those who do.
The politicization of public employees came as a direct response to decades of short-sighted, hardball tactics by state and municipal negotiators who taught these largely non-partisan professionals that avoiding political battles is not the same as avoiding political ramifications. Stingy, adversarial management and a disinterested public made clear their choice: continue to eschew politics, clip coupons, and work that second job, or get involved in politics.
They chose to get involved, and as soon as they did the Democratic Party got involved with them. Quid pro quo became the status quo, and seldom since has a Democrat uttered as much as a squeak in protest.
It was lessons learned at the bargaining table that got our civil servants into the gym; facilitating Democrats that helped them muscle up; and our own corrupt system that delivered to us a situation in which public employees unions flex their muscles at will. Our employees played the game by the rules they were presented, and some of them—especially those in corrections and public safety—played it like Grand Masters. Parlaying the public’s respect for the job its members do into much-coveted endorsements, California’s public safety unions time and time again put their names and credibility on the political trading block with absolutely no regard for the effect on their sworn mission or the public they serve. They bargain for salary and benefits and power, and with each victory their wallets fatten and their political power increases exponentially.
Forty years ago their adversaries were city managers, county executives, and state negotiators—the same folks they now routinely snooker via back room agreements with covetous political leaders. Gone are the days of uncompensated hours, take it or leave it negotiating, starvation retirements: the very conditions that led to the creation of political funds and honest activism. In its place are competitive, often generous wages and benefits, made possible by a demand for fairness eventually corrupted by excessive success, greed, and the decline of government ethics.
Today we see our public employees preparing to battle Arnold. Not because the governor’s policies will decrease public safety, empty the prisons, or deprive our students, but because he has challenged the hegemony of their unions. Truth be told, he is not their real enemy; their real enemies are the leaders of their unions and associations; the nascent movers and shakers who’ve forgotten their values, got caught up in the game, gone too far.
The San Jose POA endorsement of Cindy Chavez was a disgrace—the end result of an irresponsible promise (retirement package) made by its leader (Demers), his back room machinations with the the mayor’s power brokers, a double-dealing solution that left the firefighters steaming, and a POA Board of Directors too clueless, timid, or tainted to protest an endorsement process bastardized beyond all recognition.
In other words, the POA endorsement was just what two terms of Gonzales-Chavez Inc. have conditioned us to expect.
Fin Fan et al,
Attacking the police is never a good idea.
David Pandori received the same treatment when he ran for reelection. He was endorsed pro-forma—this time they chose someone different.
Not everything is a scandal. Get a grip.
Rich, you have a record too and would never get my endorsement for anything.
# 25, Rich Robinson doesn’t have a record, he has an album! Have you read blogs? They’re like country music; the music changes a little but it’s the same old song…
However, I must say he does sound very knowledgable. He should run for office. He would probably make a good council member… in Cupertino.
Anything less from Mr. Robinson would have disappointed. It takes courage to hold your position under fire, no matter how dishonorable your cause.
Just weeks after conducting an interview process that involved all the candidates for DA and a membership-wide vote, Don Demers engineered a much different process for the mayoral race. No interviews of other candidates, no membership-wide vote, no explanation for the change in procedure.
Bad enough, from my chair. But even worse when you consider that Demers did this as the door hit him in his fat retirement check, saddling a brand new administration with a fait accompli and leaving the organization with all the dignity of a stained blue dress. Now his successor has two choices: either play ball with Cindy and hope for the best, or distance himself and his administration from the sticky mess and surrender his organization’s voice in an election of critical importance to its membership.
There was no urgency in making the mayoral endorsement, at least no legitimate urgency. Hell, there was no reason to even believe that all the candidates had been identified (they hadn’t). The endorsement was likely done as a payback to an administration that allowed Don Demers to depart with at least a semblance of a victory (the retirement benefit he pledged years earlier to secure—the 3% per annum calculation Gray Davis gave the state boys—proved beyond the reach of even the mayor’s filthy little fat fingers). That Demers felt the need to see to it during his reign suggests an unwillingness to trust it to his more objective successor. Perhaps Cindy wasn’t really so slamdunk popular?
A measure of the importance of the deal to Demers is that the agreement he struck did not include the firefighters (members of the same retirement system), leaving them in limbo and needlessly creating a rift that is certain to undermine the solidarity of these longtime allies in future negotiations with the city.
Oh, and the firefighters have initiated a legal action that threatens the cops’ newly secured agreement. But I guess that is just another problem for the new POA president.
Mr. Robinson would have us believe that the endorsement’s bloody trail is the result of nothing more than the POA’s enthusiasm for Cindy Chavez’s mayoral bid. He must think he’s making his case with the OJ jury.
Tom, correct on all fronts. It’s almost to the point that voting becomes easy… check out the groups like the POA and vote for a candidate not endorsed by them. On fiscal policy, it is certain that the ever-increasing local government pensions, indexed for inflation, will break the bank. C’mon, going out after 30 years with 90% (or more) of gross pay is ridiculous!
David Pandori has prosecuted child molesters, a crooked judge and hard-core gang members. But he didn’t even deserve an interview with the POA for their endorsement.
It’s pretty obvious where the POA is coming from, and it’s all about enhanced salaries and benefits.
You called it right Tom.
Mayor McEnery,
You referring to Manny Diaz as ethically challenged is an insult to ethically challenged people worldwide.
I should know, I am the chief spokesperson of the Ethichally Challenged People of America (ECPA). He does not meet the requirements for membership, he far exceeds them.
Here’s a glimpse:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/02/15/EDG8J4F0U41.DTL
Ron
Regardless of who they endorsed, the “process” stinks. The endorsement is hardly worth the paper it was printed on. Any organization who takes an action like this without interviewing all candidates before making a decision can’t be taken seriously. Kind of like how the City Council takes action.
I’ll be interested in reading what Mr. Cupertino, Richard Robinson, has to say now. Somehow I think he’ll support Ms. Chavez’s decision on this.
Thanks Tom you are right on the button with this one. No slam against the cops. If I were a cop I’d be going after the most I could get from the Council.
Another good night of phone calls to voters with each one finishing with a list of endorsements that include the San Jose Police Officers Association, the statewide umbrella organization of police officers PORAC, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Congressman Mike Honda and every City Council person except Dave and Chuck, Former Mayor Susan Hammer, and the Democratic Party.
#15 Manny Diaz was appointed to the San Jose Planning Commission by none other than Tom McEnery.
The rest of you Cindy haters please keep blogging and I’ll keep talking to voters about safe neighborhoods, education, and a leader who can get something done for our city with a track record of results.
Pandori has no chance, no money, and a lobbyist campaign consultant and you can bet that viability certainly was a criteria considered when POA voted to endorse Cindy. Get over it—oh and keep blogging, all 15 of you because that is how you win an election, ha ha ha ha…….
29 – You must have graduated from the RR School of Politics. Planning Commissioners are not appointed by the Mayor but by a vote of the entire council. Makes me wonder about the credibilty of the rest of your comments.
Well, much to my surprise I agree with Tom McEnery on one thing – that Sam Liccardo is head and shoulders above the field in the race for the District 3 council seat. There are remarkable similarities between Sam and Cindy Chavez, whose very large shoes he will be filling in January.
Both are hardworking, smart, and capable; each is compassionate and thoughtful taking the time to listen to the needs of the people they seek to serve. Each has started and served on non-profits for which there was no glory to be had and each pays attention to the parts of the community that are sorely underserved.
Neither Chavez nor Liccardo will tell their supporters things they want to hear for the sake of keeping them happy, if there’s bad news to be heard they deal with it honestly and openly.
Chavez and Liccardo are passionate about service to San Jose and each is gracious and diplomatic in how they approach that service recognizing that getting a diverse population to the table to talk about all sides of an issue is critical to the ultimate success.
I find it reprehensible that Mr. McEnery throws wild accusations regarding the POA endorsement, ignoring the strong support Chavez has received over the years from the police for her ongoing support of the police department. She has also received endorsement from both the Sheriff and former Police Chiefs she’s served with.
She presents a clear vision of where to go and has solid credentials for her past accomplishments indicating she knows how to get projects completed.
Pandori complains constantly about how things are, waxes nostaligic about the good ole days and neglects to mention what or how San Jose will be doing in the future. Saying no is easy, presenting a vision of the future is hard – maybe he’s just more comfortable being a grouch.
He recently proclaimed a rampant rise in gang activity – a number of us at that event scratched our heads trying to figure out what he’s talking about. Again, trying only to get peoples blood pressure up without bothering to know the facts. Underserved neighborhoods were ignored during his 8 years in office, not having a high voter turnout meant he could ignore them.
I’ll be supporting Chavez and Liccardo – I look forward to a progressive, intelligent Mayor and Council for the next four years.
RC, after all your hard work, can I buy you a drink? I’ll drive – to the nearest gas station!
BTW, no council member can find the “position paper” of support written by MADD’s Birdsong. Hmmm….
Mr. Spinner – It is correct that I voted for Diaz, but it is a vote of the entire Council. With what you get paid for political spinning, you should do your research better. Oh, and that was before his change to a lobbyist/carpetbagger. I would not vote for him for dog catcher now. Does that make my position clear? TMcE
RC,
What are you smoking? Have you completely forgotten how your boy Justin got schooled in Iowa. Dean went into Iowa with more money than any Democrat in history and well… Dean is history.
Keep calling, community newspapers will hit 90,000 door steps tomorrow with the headline Possible subsidy for the Grand Prix discussed with Chavez.
I have to say I am very suspicious of this query. Quid Pro Quo is a very serious accusation. This post raised a question and said “if true.” It did not show evidence, solid or circumstancial that such action between the Police and their endorsee ever took place. Yet there is a rush to condemn. This is highly irresponsible, unfair and serves no candidate well.
Cate Schroeder
LoveDowntown – you must not spend much time downtown if you don’t think that gangs are a problem. They are not hard to spot in neighborhoods and in nightclubs. Any of the shootings this year have anything to do with gangs – you betcha. So get your head out of the sand and get downtown.
#29 Reality Check
If you feel there are only 16 of us on this blog, why do waste your time spinning for Cindy here? Couldn”t she get a better return for her dollar than paying you to waste our time? Oh but then again nobody ever said Cindy was a smart business person .
#36 Downtown
Please if you truly want to see Sam Liccardo elected, please don’t say he is an other Cindy Chavez. I don’t know what Sam ever did to you but I find him to be honest and up front. I no way feel he would ever get involved with the kind of backroom dealings that Cindy has. If you want to compare Cindy to an other city leader, look to her clone Ronny G.
Must be just a misunderstanding….
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/14499811.htm
Hey, #39 (Looking . . .): There are plenty of people downtown who support both Cindy Chavez and Sam Liccardo. Most reasonable people judge candidates on their own merits, not as “clones” or “stooges” of others. I don’t know who #36 (LoveDowntown) is, but I agree, Chavez and Liccardo share some admirable traits.
#40,
Since there have been clubs closed down for causing shootings. Shouldn’t the arena get shut down or a least not be allowed to have these rotten “Bomb” concerts????
#42 The NAACP would never allow that. They need to have events for “all” people so they won’t get sued.
#36,
What do mean Cindy is progressive? I have never heard Cindy talk about her vision for the city or any new ideas. She only talks about what she did in the past.
Pandori is the only the candidate laying out a vision for this city.
From what I heard, the line-level cops were pissed off by the unfair endorsement of Cindy. The following month’s union meeting had some very heated discussions.
Also know that Demer’sheir apparant, Pat Boyd, was ousted by the POA membership in a landslide vote – over 2/3 of the officers voted to bring in new blood. They too were tired of backroom deals and side agreements.
You can’t blame the POA for fighting for the very best benefits and pay for their members (but you can blame Cindy and others that voted to give it to them).
44 – Chavez is not a Gonzo clone? You can’t be that narrow in your view of the city to actually believe that. She has supported nearly EVERY action he has taken during his 7 years. They have worked out backroom deals together more times than we know. He didn’t make her vice-mayor because of her independence and unwillingness to support his actions. Come 0n. You may be a Cindy supporter, that’s fine, but don’t try to con the rest of us into thinking she is her own person and has not been attached to Ron. We are smarter than that.
SJ Downtown: Not only do I Love Downtown, I live downtown. I go to events, the movies, restaurants and even Starbucks on an almost daily basis. I walk home late at night, alone, frequently. I have never worried about my safety nor the people around me.
I walk through neighborhoods that were formerly gang infested, go to neighborhood association events with my neighbors and even talk to members of the ethnic communities different from my own.
I recently overheard a gentleman talk about walking home to Willow Glen through the Delmas Park neighborhood from an event at the Fairmont and how wonderful the walk had been and how safe he felt.
#39 Looking: LIccardo hasn’t done anything to me and I have both signs for both Chavez and Liccardo in the window. Chavez is not a Gonzo clone.
At the forum on Monday all Chavez’ opponents had kind words for her and her ethics.
Sam Liccardo would be a great Council member for District 3.
He has a great campaign manager in Jay Rosenthal.
I just hope he becomes a little more thoughtful on the ethics issues. More regulations are not the answer.
But he is intelligent, has integrity and learns quickly.
#46 GuideDog: no need to get nasty. Neighborhood Watch is not the same as neighborhood association. I did hear someone the other night indicate that Pandori helped their neighborhood create an association. For the association I am in and the ones near me, one is roughly 25 years old another older than that so a little before Pandori’s time, three were created after Chavez took office.
It’s great you and your neighbors have created a neighborhood watch program, I’m sure it helps tremendously. Chavez has provided continual support to neighborhoods and the associations which form, she helps then get the support, training and guidance they need to grow and she actively encourages neighborhood leaders.
#47 Huh: I believe that in the type of government we have here in the city of San Jose it’s important to learn to get along with others. That may explain why Pat Dando, George Shirakawa, Jr., and Frank Fiscalini were all Vice Mayor prior to Chavez being appointed to that position.
#48 Robinson: Liccardo would make a fine councilmember. Like Chavez he has some learning to do should he be successful in this race, there is a big difference between wanting the office, thinking you know what it will be like and stepping through those doors as a Councilmember.
Rich,
Thank you for your nice words.
While we can argue about whether more regulations being the answer—certainly you will agree that having a strong moral compass is critical if you are to serve as an elected official. Sam certainly has that and will lead by example on the ethics front—more rules or not.
If anyone is interested in seeing how Sam will lead by example, click here:
http://samliccardo.com/?p=58
Jay Rosenthal
ja**********@gm***.com
#45,
Was that you the other day with your guidedog? You left something on your lawn.
Please ‘plain to me how Cindy made our neighborhoods safe. She didn’t. Us neighbors did. We created the neighborhood watch programs. Give credit where it is due.
Love Downtown – glad that you are able to walk downtown with no incidents but that doesn’t mean that gangs are not a problem. Go to a neighborhood watch training. They will tell you that gang crimes are up 20% and I think that the guys who are prosecuting these crimes might know more about the facts than you.
For those who read the Merc’s tainted trials series, you only read about a small part of how really bad it is. There is so much more..
what a lovely, dirty city you have.