At the City Council meeting of August 21, 2008 the council was asked to approve over $5 million in “City Checks.”  This is almost four times the median value of City Checks approved on consent calendars since January, yet no one on the council asked for the item to be pulled from the consent calendar for explanation.  I was there and asked for it to be pulled and explained.

Towards the end of this short video, listen to how fast council member Bloomer motions for approval and ask yourself: “Why are there no further questions and why is there no council explanation of why the City is paying over $1 million to CA-JPIA (California Joint Powers Insurance Authority)?” The council may know these answers, but don’t the citizens deserve another minute of explanation? (3m58s)

 

This video clip is part of the official public record of the City of Seaside and was first presented in longer form on Monterey County Office of Education KMST TV (cable channel 26).

 

The $400,000 mistake no one on the council caught

Fair warning: this may be the most boring video anyone has ever posted on a website.  However, it represents a nearly $400,000 example that again suggests the City Council may not care all that much about the taxpayer monies to which they are entrusted.

At the City Council meeting of August 7, 2008 the council was asked to approve  $1,048,840.54 in “City Checks.”  [A PDF format staff report from the City’s official website is available here.]  The agenda line item (also PDF format — see page 2, item 6), however, listed $1,434,518.37.  That higher amount is what was approved.  Did anyone on the council bother reading the staff report?  You be the judge. (2m56s)

 

This video clip is part of the official public record of the City of Seaside and was first presented in longer form on Monterey County Office of Education KMST TV (cable channel 26).

 

I was recently asked to appear on Your Town: Radio & Television Program.  I discussed my upbringing, business and involvement in the community as well as provided an overview of some important issues facing the City of Seaside.   The program originally aired on August 19, 2008.  (18m29s)

 

This video clip is courtesy of Your Town: Radio & Television Program which is simulcast weekdays at 5 p.m. PST on KNRY 1240 AM and AMP cable channel 24.

Your Town is produced by Jim Vossen of MontereyRadio.com.

 

Seaside Taxpayers Association asked me to speak at their meeting of August 27, 2008.  Topics included improving fiscal responsibility, “giveaways” by the City to developers and everyone’s disdain for using (and threatening to use) eminent domain powers for redevelopment.  Seaside Taxpayers are well informed and passionate about improving the City while maintaining a taxpayer-friendly environment.

This clip focuses on how absurd giveaways are, especially given that Seaside has some of the best real estate in California and a large portion of the only coastal areas left for development.  There is a great moment of lightness when an STA member asks why the City would make such giveaways . . . but in reality, fiscal responsibility is serious business.  (1m33s)